Public Arts Commission

Legislation

Bylaws

The Public Art Commission was formed to advise the Mayor and the Urban County Council on developing a long-range plan for the selection, acquisition, placement and maintenance of public art and public monuments.

In February 2022, the Public Art Commission completed a Public Art Master Plan and the annual Work Plan for FY23.

Public Art Master Plan

Public Art Commission Approved Work Plan

Meeting schedule and location

Schedule: Every First Tuesday of the month
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Council Chamber, Government Center, 200 E. Main St.

Meetings are also viewable via live broadcast on LexTV.

2024 meetings

Jan. 9* date changed due to scheduling conflicts
Feb. 7
March 5
April 2
May 7
June 4
July 2
Aug. 6
Sept. 3
Oct. 1
Nov. 5
Dec. 3

Meeting materials

Elected officers

Chair - Coming soon

Vice Chair - Coming soon

Call for Local Artists – Utility Box Art Wraps

The City of Lexington is seeking original designs from artists residing in Fayette Co. for art wraps to be placed on utility boxes in Lexington.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, April 19, at 11 p.m. 

Guidelines

Utility Box Artist application

Artist chosen to create permanent artwork at entrance to Lexington Detention Center

Louisville artist Dave Caudill has been chosen to create an original sculpture for the green space located at the entrance to the Lexington Detention Center.

Caudill was selected, in part, because his proposal, “The Birth of Hope,” will reflect and recognize the human growth, dignity, and value of individuals incarcerated at the detention center, Mayor Linda Gorton said. The proposal is also a tribute to the spirit of the public servants who work at the facility, their family members, and the family members of the inmates.

Mayor Linda Gorton said that the sculpture will represent the Detention Center in a positive light. “This work of art will be a beacon of hope and renewal to those who come and go from the Detention Center, and will add to the rich history of our arts community,” she said. It is expected to be installed in late 2024.

This project is funded by Lexington’s Percent for Art program that was established to support public art that is accessible and free to experience. 

Learn more

Collaborative program

As identified in Lexington’s Public Art Master Plan, the Public Arts Commission will accept applications to the Collaborative Program from Fayette Co. arts groups, neighborhood associations, LFUCG departments, partnering organizations, non-profit or for-profit businesses, artists, or others, for permanent public art works (longer than one year) to be installed in or on property owned or managed by the Lexington-Fayette Urban Co. Government.  Approval and support will be granted for projects that align with the goals, priorities and policies of the Public Art Master Plan.  Please review the Public Art Master Plan before submitting an application.

Applicants to the Collaborative Program may request simple approval of the project, in-kind project support through various departments and divisions of the LFUCG, and/or funding support.  A two-phase application process by the Public Art Commission will determine funding or project support.

At times, the Public Arts Commission will issue calls for artists for specific public art projects identified in the Public Art Commission Work Plan. Check back at this website for project announcements. 

Below are the Guidelines, FAQs, Applications, and Scoring document for the Collaborative Program.

Collaborative Program Guidelines

Collaborative Program Frequently Asked Questions

Collaborative Program application – Phase One

Collaborative Program application – Phase Two

Phase Two scoresheet

Public Art Map

The City of Lexington’s Public Art Map is the first comprehensive and searchable GIS map to document public artworks in Lexington-Fayette Co. By including photos and descriptions of public artwork, as well as exact coordinates and addresses, this map increases accessibility to works in the area through a user-friendly, interactive program. Works are searchable by title and artist and can be filtered by owner and district. Over 140 artworks are currently mapped, representing public sculpture, murals, and monuments by local, regional and international artists.

Artwork will continue to be added and information updated. If you have information to contribute to the Public Art Map, contact Madison Kelley at mkelley@lexingtonky.gov.

View Public Art Map

Contact