What it Is
Ever stopped to enjoy one of Salisbury’s amazing murals? A sculpture in City Park or the Salisbury University campus? A uniquely painted utility box downtown?
Salisbury is embarking on a plan that will inspire more public art throughout the city. The plan will explain Salisbury’s vision for how public art can impact the city, identify opportunities for projects the city can undertake on its own, and outline approaches to collaborating on projects with the city’s creative and business communities.
Here’s everything you need to know about the planning process.
Project Schedule
The project began in March with the consultant’s first visit to Salisbury. A draft plan should be available by early fall and ready for City Council review later in the year.
Our Progress so Far
Public engagement began with an “open mike” public meeting on March 18 where people were invited to share their ideas and experiences with public art. The consultant is now in the research phase of the project, reviewing current city plans and development projects, and putting together background on how other cities like Salisbury are promoting public art. The consultant has also developed a survey to gather ideas from the general public, and has started interviewing key stakeholders.
The consulting team will be back in Salisbury June 15 through 17. There will be another public conversation on June 15, a table at Art Walk on June 17, and several focus group meetings.
How You Can Be Involved
Take our Survey!
Everyone who lives in, works in or even visits Salisbury is invited to share their thoughts about:
• Salisbury’s identity, especially its cultural strengths and creative talents
• What public art you would like to see
• Why you think public art could be important to the city.
You can find the survey at this link. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SBYPublicArt
Join a Community Conversation!
We have two more community conversations scheduled.
June 15: Top-Ten Ideas for Public Art. We’ll discuss amazing things Salisbury can do with public art. Vote for your top choices, and don’t forget to bring your own ideas! Join the conversation at Revival on June 15th at 5:30 p.m. / door open at 5:00 with light snacks. Revival is located on the 3rd Floor of City Center Building located 213 W. Main Street in Downtown Salisbury.
August 16: Salisbury Says! We’ll present the findings of from our research and engagement, and you can tell us if we’re on the right track. Join the conversation at Revival on June 15th at 5:30 p.m. / door open at 5:00 with light snacks. Revival is located on the 3rd Floor of City Center Building located 213 W. Main Street in Downtown Salisbury.
Look for Us at Third Friday
What’s Third Friday without public art? Drop by the SBY Public Art table on June 17, July 15 and August 19 to hear about what’s going on. In June, we’ll continue conversation about “Top Ten Ideas for Public Art.” https://www.3rdfridaysby.com/
Open House
Watch this space for news about the public art open houses we will schedule this fall to review the recommendations of the plan.
What Happens Next
After the consultant visits Salisbury in June, and after the results of the survey are complete, he will work with Downtown Salisbury and City staff to create recommendations for how the city can approach public art. Those recommendations will be reviewed at used as the basis of a draft plan that will be available for the public’s review in the early fall. We’ll hold open houses to get the community’s feedback, then finalize a draft that can be submitted to City Council for approval later in the year.
The Benefits of Public Art
Public art is already a familiar sight in Salisbury. There are murals and painted utility boxes throughout downtown, sculptures on the Salisbury University campus, and mosaics and sculptures in City Park.
Across the country, cities have found that public art can strengthen communities by giving them an opportunity to express who they are (their histories, hopes and dreams), catalyze a city’s creative energy, and support the vibrancy of downtowns.
What’s a Public Art Plan Include?
Salisbury’s public art plan will answer three basic questions.
• Big Picture: Why is public art important to Salisbury? What impact can it have on the city?
• Big Moves: What are the best opportunities for new projects that will fulfill the city’s vision?
• Toolkit: What tools will the city need – funding, project management, guidelines, partnerships – to make these projects happen?
Survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SBYPublicArt
Consultant Information
The plan is being led by Todd W. Bressi, a public art planning consultant based in Philadelphia. Todd develops public art strategies, programs and projects for public agencies, civic/community groups and cultural organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada. He works regularly with Mural Art Philadelphia and Phildelphia250 as a public art planning consultant. Bressi grew up in Maryland and visits Delmarva frequently to visit family there. http://www.artfulplaces.com/
Sign Up and Follow this Initiative
We’ll send you updates about the plan – news about ways that you can participate, as well as the draft plan for public comment. Just let us know an email address that we can use to keep in touch!