About
If you live in Salt Lake County, you are within minutes of artworks that represent and celebrate our community. The Salt Lake County Art in Public Places program places art in county facilities around the valley – in libraries, parks, recreation and community centers, public offices, even at public works sites. These art pieces make these places and spaces more beautiful and give anyone who visits an unexpected art-venture!
Art in Public Places benefits our community in many ways. It is beautiful and thought-provoking. It sparks conversation and helps build community identity. It honors the past and celebrates the future. And the Art in Public Places program gives a voice to our artists and enriches our community.
Next time you visit a Salt Lake County facility, park, recreation center, library, or theater, take a minute and find the art.
Visual Art Collection
The Visual Art Collection is a permanent collection including paintings, photographs, mixed media, and sculpture. The Collection is eclectic with a unifying theme – Utah. Each artist represented has lived or worked in Utah or is currently working in Utah. All works in the collection are on public display at county facilities, with the majority displayed at the County Government Center.
Percent for Art Collection
The Percent for Art Collection are site-specific works that range from murals and sculptures to mosaics, stained glass, or larger environmental works. Funding for this collection comes from legislation which allows up to one percent of money spent by county government on new buildings to go toward the purchase and installation of public art. Salt Lake County adopted this legislation in May of 1982.
VIEW PERCENT FOR ART COLLECTION
Community Engagement
The Art in Public Places programs fosters the act of coming together as a community to engage with public art. This act celebrates artists, placemaking and creates invaluable dialogue our community. Community engagement includes, public tours of the Visual Art Collection and Percent for Art Collection, joining a selection committee and collective appreciation.
For Artists
Art in Public Places values artists and the artistic process. Since it’s creation in the 1980s the Art in Public Places program has commissioned or purchased over 700 works from local and international artists. Our goal is to create opportunities for artists to express their voice and vision for the community.
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Questions?
Contact Kate Ithurralde Art in Public Places Manager P: 385.468.7059 E: kithurralde@slco.org
About
The Visual Art Collection has more than 650 pieces, including paintings, photographs, sculpture, and mixed media works. The unifying theme of the Collection is UTAH. Each artist has a tie to Utah, they either live here or create here.
Salt Lake County honors the spirit and values of our residents through the Collection and each piece is on display at county facilities, with the majority displayed at the County Government Center on State Street and 2100 South in Salt Lake City.
Visit the Collection online to find your favorite art piece or works by your favorite artist or what art is at the county facility closest to you.
Yearly Acquisitions
Explore the Collection by year to find the works acquired.
Art Acquisition Subcommittee
Art in Public Places receives an annual budget to purchase new artwork for the Collection. Our Visual Art Collection Subcommittee, a part of our volunteer Salt Lake County Arts & Culture Advisory Board, reviews and recommends artworks to the Advisory Board for the County to purchase.
The 10-member Subcommittee includes one member of the Arts & Culture Advisory Board, at least one member of Salt Lake County staff, County residents with advanced knowledge of visual art, and other interested citizens.
The Acquisition Subcommittee is currently on pause for the year, with anticipated resumption in 2025. Please check back then for further updates.
Click here for more information about the Arts & Culture Advisory Board.
Donations
If you are interested in donating an art piece by a Utah artist to the Visual Art Collection, please contact Kate Ithurralde, the manager of the Art in Public Places program.
The Collection Subcommittee and the Arts & Culture Advisory Board carefully reviews potential art donations before they are formally accepted into the collection.
Artwork Appraisals
Salt Lake County Art & Culture is unable to assist with artwork appraisals. If you need an appraisal, contact the American Society of Appraisers to find a qualified professional near you.
About
The Percent for Art collection are artworks created to complement a specific location or building. These art pieces are part of the design and construction of new county facilities and include sculptures, murals, and even stained glass.
Most installations are permanent, some are temporary, and each piece brings attention to and beautifies our County spaces. We have more than 100 Percent for Art installations throughout the Salt Lake Valley.
Visit the Collection online to find your favorite art piece or works by your favorite artist or what art is at the county facility closest to you.
VIEW PERCENT FOR ART COLLECTION
Percent for Art Ordinance
In 1982, the County Council adopted the Percent for Art Ordinance. This Ordinance sets aside 1% of capital improvement or development project funds to commission, purchase and installation of artworks at county facilities.
Click here to learn more about Percent for Art Ordinance.
Percent for Art Selection Process
Each project opportunity is advertised nationally and sometimes only in Utah. Anyone can submit their idea through the County’s Request for Proposal process. Each application is reviewed by a committee representing the County facility, the architect and construction firm, local art experts, and other relevant County staff.
Click here to see open Percent for Art Opportunities.
Community Engagement Exhibitions
Art in Public Places partners with various Salt Lake County agencies to bring unique art exhibitions and experiences to public spaces. The goal of these exhibitions is to create site-specific works that spark imagination and invite the community to engage with Salt Lake County owned venues, parks and other facilities.
Free Collection Tours
Tours of both the Visual Art Collection and Percent for Art Collection are free and available Monday through Friday. We limit groups to 20 people and tours last about an hour. Tours can be customized on request.
Please submit your tour request at least six weeks in advance. We will contact you to confirm date, time, and custom requests.
Percent for Art Opportunities
Check back regularly for updates on Percent for Art projects where you can apply to create works that showcase your talent and contribute to the beauty of public spaces.
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