In 1991, the Planning Commission, on the recommendation of City Council, appointed a Public Art Commission (PAC)
to administer a Public Art Program. In January of 1997, City Council passed an ordinance formalizing the Percent-for-
the-Arts Process and mandating its funding through the Capital Improvements budget.
Public Art Commission Monthly Meetings
The meeting schedule for the Public Art Commission is the fourth Thursday of the month at 4:30 p.m. in the 5th floor
conference room at City Hall unless otherwise noted. For further assistance please contact Land Use Administration, at
804.646.7319
or via
email.
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here to sign up for our mailing list.
What is a Public Art Master Plan?
The Public Art Master Plan is a ten-year plan that will provide a clear vision for the future of public art in
Richmond. The plan will include goals for Richmond's public art, define priorities and artistic approaches for the
program, identify strategic partnerships and possible sources of alternative funding, and provide direction for
ongoing program development and management. The plan will also address opportunities for ongoing public
engagement, support increased opportunities for public art, and celebrate art as an essential element for a
thriving community.
Why does the City need a Public Art Master Plan?
The Public Art Master plan will guide the city’s and community’s future investment into public art. The plan will
update all policies to reflect current standards and create a platform for community engagement, artistic
excellence and comprehensive integration of public art into city processes. The City of Richmond owns 44 artworks
values at $1.46 million that need to be inventoried, assessed, and maintained on a regular basis. The master plan
and available funding enable Richmond to increase the size, quality and scope of its public art collection and gain
national recognition in the arts scene.
PAC Membership Composition
The PAC consists of eleven members, appointed by the Planning Commission, with staggered three year terms with
the opportunity for reappointment for one additional term, making a total possible term of service of six years.
The representatives from the Urban Design Committee and the Planning Commission shall serve terms on the PAC that are coincident
with their appointments to those bodies.
The Director of Planning and Development Review shall hold a permanent seat on the Commission as liaison to the staff.
Additionally,
the commission is comprised of representatives from the fields of visual arts, visual arts education, and architecture, along with
two citizen representatives.
| Members |
Affiliation |
| Ms. Ashley Kistler, Chair |
Citizen |
| Ms. Anne Fletcher, Vice Chair |
Visual Arts |
| Mr. Mark Olinger |
Director, Department of Planning and Development Review |
| Ms. Andrea Almond |
Urban Planning Committee |
| Mr. Vik Murthy |
Planning Commission |
| Mr. Charles Piper |
Culture Works and Architect |
| Vacant |
Visual Arts |
| Ms. Amber Esseiva |
Visual Arts |
| Mr. Gary Flowers |
Citizen |
| Mr. Matthew Spahr |
Visual Arts |
| Ms. Ana Edwards |
Arts Education |
For more information about the members or their terms, contact the Public Art Coordinator.
If you are interested in applying to serve on the Public Art Commission, please submit the
application form
to:
PDRLanduseadmin@richmondgov.com.
As of 29 May 2019 we currently have one vacancy for a visual artist. Thank you for your interest in serving as a Public Art Commissioner.
Call 804.646.7319 with questions.
Percent-for-Art Program
The Percent-for-Art program ensures that the highest quality art will have a place in public spaces throughout the city.
The program encourages the participation of the surrounding communities in various stages of the artworks'
development.
Based on national public art models in 27 states and nearly 200 municipalities, Richmond's Public Art Program follows
well-established guidelines adapted to our particular needs.
A 1% allocation for art is earmarked from the city's Capital Budget of appropriate new or renovation construction
projects having budgets over $250,000. Appropriate projects are ones that provide public services and accessibility,
such as firehouses, police precincts, courthouses and detention centers, hospitals, clinics, passenger terminals, parks,
and recreation centers.
Once funding has been established, a Site Selection Team is convened, consisting of a representative of the staff of
the facility being built or expanded, members of the community, the architect, a city official from the sponsoring
agency, and two to three members of the Public Art Commission, one of whom is an artist.
Through an open call-to-artists, applications are reviewed for artistic quality and appropriateness of their ideas or
concepts to the specific project. The site requirements and the nature of the community are seriously considered when
the selection team makes its recommendations to the Public Art Commission for final approval of the selected artwork.
Keeping Citizens Informed!