Function

• The function of public art is to increase the visibility of public spaces by enriching the public's perception of those spaces. Adding public art projects to airports, civic centers and public transportation facilities can transform them into beautiful and enjoyable places. Public art projects create a definable sense of place for residents of a local community. Public art projects can also increase tourism by making local parks, buildings and commercial centers more destination oriented.
  
  

Types

• The most traditional public art projects are murals and monuments. These are commissioned works displayed to enhance the beauty or the significance of a public area. Oftentimes, public art projects are sculptures placed in parks or commercial centers that do not necessarily convey one specific theme, as murals or monuments do. While these are the most recognizable types, there are no specifications for size or medium for public art projects. The individual artist or the commissioning body for the project determines these specifications.
  
  

Permanent Public Art

• Most commonly, permanent public art projects are statues and monuments. These will often commemorate a person or event rather than depicting the artist's own themes or vision. With a permanent public art project, the city or the individual who commissioned the project retains ownership of the work rather than the artist. Since these projects are permanent, they can be integrated into the architecture of public buildings or spaces.
  
  

Temporary Public Art

• Temporary public art projects are displayed for only a short period of time before they are removed. The standard time frame for a temporary public project is three to seven years. The commissioning body for the project decides this time frame. Many cities have embraced the installation of temporary public art projects to incorporate art into the everyday lives of their residents. Temporary public art projects can be used to display the work of world renowned artists outside of a gallery or museum setting, making them more accessible to the general public.
  
  

Site-Specificity

• Unlike art displayed in galleries or museums, public art is site-specific. This means that the artist created the work for a specific location with the external factors of that location in mind. Public artists must take into consideration the size limitations, weather conditions and audience when planning a project. The commissioning body gives the artist the location and its specifications. Site-specificity makes public art different from traditional artwork because the location becomes a part of the project.