Maine's Percent for Art Program
Maine Percent for Art Prospectus(s) for current projects
Public art creates a common ground that invites everyone to the cultural conversation. It affords an opportunity for anyone to join in, to think, and to discuss the world they live in.
The Percent for Art law was enacted to provide funds for the acquisition of public artworks for newly constructed or renovated state-funded buildings. These including public schools, community colleges and University of Maine facilities, and all State buildings. Under the law, an amount equal to one percent of the construction budget is set aside to purchase original works of art for these buildings.
The Maine Arts Commission provides leadership, resources and materials to facilitate the Percent for Art selection process. It assists qualifying sites with forming selection committees, getting artist submissions, reviewing proposals, communicating with artists, contracting, archiving, and outreach. The contracting agency retains final authority over the selection of artwork, but the Maine Arts Commission makes sure the process is efficient, fair, and brings work of the highest caliber for consideration.
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"Fiddleheads" by Jim Sardonis, 2005. Bronze, Quebec Prairie green granite, ash. 9.5'x44"x60". Commissioned for the Caroline D. Gentile Hall at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. |
The Percent for Art process is designed not only to commission artwork, but to build community. The selection committee is constituted of two site representatives, two artists form the community, and the project architect. This committee holds meetings to evaluate the art submissions, with members of the community encouraged to attend. The process encourages discussions relating to community, history, progress, values, and cultural identity. Many communities decide to make an event out of the eventual art installation.
Art proposals are requested in one of three ways: direct selection, limited selection (usually restricts call to Maine artists only) or open call. In all cases, preference is given to Maine artists. Percent for Art submission guidelines can be found in the public art information page.
More detailed information about the Percent for Art program can be found in the Information section. Archived projects can be accessed in the Public Art Directory.
For more information about Maine's Percent for Art Program, contact Kerstin Gilg, public art associate at 207/287-6719 or kerstin.gilg@maine.gov.
