Ten Arguments for Public Art

Why do we need public art in our shared spaces? Below are ten arguments that explain the importance of public art for society:

Access to Art: A Human Right

Art is a democratic right. This is clear from the Swedish cultural policy objectives adopted by the Swedish Parliament. They emphasise that culture should be a dynamic, challenging and independent force based on the freedom of expression; that everyone should have the opportunity to participate in cultural life and that creativity, diversity and artistic quality should characterise the development of society. In order to achieve the cultural policy, the public sector must, among other things, promote quality and artistic renewal. Our cultural heritage shall be preserved, used and developed.

Designed Living Environment: A Political Objective

“Well-designed, functional environments, with prominent aesthetic and artistic values and solid materials will increase people’s sense of comfort and thus their quality of life. The living environment, and particularly our housing, is of fundamental importance to our health and well-being. High-quality design is an investment in all aspects of sustainability. Giving precedence to short-term financial issues over other concerns jeopardises fundamental values in people’s lives.” Thus writes the government on the Designed Living Environment, a new policy area that was adopted unanimously by the Swedish Parliament in 2018. It is an integrated approach to how to design physically and socially sustainable public spaces. The government bill particularly emphasises that art, architecture, design and cultural heritage must collaborate to achieve this. The Policy for Designed Living Environment is governing for state actors and guiding for municipalities and regions.

Public Art: A Tradition to Uphold

Everyone should have access to high-quality art in their everyday lives. This was an indisputable objective when the Swedish Welfare State was developed. Art should be integrated into new housing and living environments: “The modern, democratic state has to enter into the functions performed by princes, aristocrats and the Church in the olden days”, writes Swedish museum curator Axel Romdahl in a 1933 newspaper article. Romdahl introduces the idea of the One Percent Rule as a means to make this possible and writes that, “Society should help artists to find ways to reach the people (not only manual workers but people from all classes of society)”. When the Parliament four years later, in 1937, adopted a funding principle based on this idea, the Minister for Culture (then education minister) Arthur Engberg wrote: “Art is on its way to becoming the property of everyone, both in public buildings and in meeting places, as well as in factories and offices.” In the 1930s, society made sure it could afford to make extensive investments in public art in order to contribute to increased quality of life for the population. The general perception was that a society without art was, quite simply, a poorer society.

Public Art: A Tradition to Uphold

Everyone should have access to high-quality art in their everyday lives. This was an indisputable objective when the Swedish Welfare State was developed. Art should be integrated into new housing and living environments: “The modern, democratic state has to enter into the functions performed by princes, aristocrats and the Church in the olden days”, writes Swedish museum curator Axel Romdahl in a 1933 newspaper article. Romdahl introduces the idea of the One Percent Rule as a means to make this possible and writes that, “Society should help artists to find ways to reach the people (not only manual workers but people from all classes of society)”. When the Parliament four years later, in 1937, adopted a funding principle based on this idea, the Minister for Culture (then education minister) Arthur Engberg wrote: “Art is on its way to becoming the property of everyone, both in public buildings and in meeting places, as well as in factories and offices.” In the 1930s, society made sure it could afford to make extensive investments in public art in order to contribute to increased quality of life for the population. The general perception was that a society without art was, quite simply, a poorer society.

Art Conveys the Unique

Art helps to make a place unique. This is a great quality, regardless of whether it is in large-scale residential environments or in details such as the artistic design of a door handle for a preschool. Art can address the history of a place, its development, current values and strengths. When art is integrated into people’s immediate environment it creates the opportunity for meaningful experiences in the everyday, which may contribute to an increased quality of life. Throughout history, art has often been a way to signal value and demonstrate the significance of a place. This also applies today.

The Art Process Promotes Innovation

The work with public art contributes to the development of society through the art process itself – even when it may not lead to an artwork or to something other than the original idea. Art and artistic processes are important for stimulating a creative climate of innovation, which is one of the reasons why many contemporary researchers and product developers collaborate with artists. Artistic perspectives and work processes also contribute to innovation in the ongoing development of society. Artistic methods can both foster local engagement and make visible the issues and qualities of a place, as well as highlighting possibilities that others do not see.

The Art Process Confers new Perspectives

There is a significant difference between the roles of artists and that of other professionals in working with public art, regardless of whether it is art in urban development, permanent art or temporary works. Even when they are remunerated by a commissioning agent, artists protect their artistic freedom and prioritise it. Therefore, artists are able to expand the boundaries of a commission and provide alternative perspectives, which increases the possibility, also for other parties, to discover innovative solutions. Artistic working methods convey possibilities that are often overlooked and can strengthen our shared living environments throughout the country.

Public Art Creates Encounters and Context

One of the greatest qualities of public art is that it speaks to us directly, without words. One could also say that art speaks across time and space. This means that today, in the 21st century, we can immediately get a feeling for our ancestors’ lives when we see a 40,000-year-old cave painting. Art is intimately associated with what it means to be human. It plays an important role in how we understand our existence and our history, and it helps us reflect on the ideas of those who came before us. New art provides opportunities for us to get in touch with ourselves and others here and now, and will, in the future, say something about our time to future generations. The conversations to which art contributes can increase our mutual understanding and our respect for the opinions of others. Public art is therefore a cornerstone of a democratic society.

Art Helps to Make More Voices Heard

When planning changes to environments throughout the country, politicians and planners are increasingly interested in the opinions of residents. However, how can issues be raised that allow multiple voices to be heard? Whose voice should be listened to? In recent years, artists have created processes to reinforce resident perspectives which has enabled residents to be heard in the development and quality of planning and construction processes. When local perspectives and people’s specific knowledge have to be taken into consideration, artistic methods can be a great help. By increasing the possibility to listen to more people, art can help create a sense of participation and belonging.

Art Provides an Arena for Conflict and Debate

Art and art processes can create space for conflicts and differences of opinion that need to be aired. They can create an arena where conflicts can be addressed, where different opinions are respected and can be expressed. By taking the liberty of testing the limits of what is considered possible, both artists and artworks raise important questions. Issues that can disrupt and question the foundations of our existence; important ideas that we do not have time to address when we are preoccupied with the practicalities and demands of everyday life. If art were not there to remind us, we could easily forget to reflect on issues such as why are we here and why we do what we do; these are meaning-creating and context-seeking issues that make us human.