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.
Call for artists
The Public Arts Commission invites professional and practicing artists and artist/design teams residing in Kentucky, Indiana or Ohio, to submit qualifications to propose a permanent, site-specific outdoor artwork for the green space at the Old Frankfort Pike entrance to the Lexington Detention Center grounds.
Lexington-Fayette Urban Co. Government’s Percent for Art program provides 1% of the total budgeted cost for capital improvement projects to fund public art on city property. A budget of up to $200,000 is available for this project.
A unique facility, the Lexington Detention Center is juxtaposed with the more rural area of picturesque horse farms and is located along a National Scenic Byway, which links one of Lexington’s distinctive entertainment districts with business parks, McConnell Springs Park, and a beautiful and historic surrounding landscape.
Applications must be submitted to CAFÉ – CallforEntries.org.
FY23 meeting schedule
The Public Art Commission meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 9:30 a.m.
The meetings occur in the Council Chamber, 2nd Floor of the Government Center, 200 E. Main St. The meetings are open to the public and viewable via live broadcasts on LexTV.
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.
Collaborative Program Guidelines
Collaborative Program Frequently Asked Questions