Boston Art Commission facts for kids
The Boston Art Commission is a group that helps decide where new public art goes in the city of Boston. It was started way back in 1890. Their main job is to approve and place art on land owned by the City of Boston. This art helps show Boston's long history and its ability to create new things.
Public art can be many things. It includes statues, murals, and even cool lighting or signs that help people find their way. The Commission also takes care of all the existing art, like paintings, sculptures, and monuments, that are on city property. They believe that people in Boston's neighborhoods should be involved in creating and caring for these artworks.
The Mayor of Boston chooses the nine members of the Art Commission. Each member is nominated by a cultural group in Boston. The Commission usually meets on the second Tuesday of every month.
Public Art in Boston
Boston has many different kinds of public artworks. These pieces often show important ideas and changes happening in the city and the country. Today, artists and community members work with the Mayor's Office and the Boston Art Commission. They want to make sure Boston's public art shows the many different people and stories from the city's past and present.
How Public Art Projects Start
Getting the community involved is very important for public art in Boston. Most public art projects begin with people in a neighborhood. They work together to choose a location, an artist, and a design for the artwork. The Mayor's office supports these neighborhood projects through special coordinators. The Art Commission also tries to include many different art styles and types of art. You can learn more by visiting the Art Commission's archives or the City Archives in West Roxbury. You just need to make an appointment first.
PaintBox Program
The PaintBox program is a fun way to bring art to Boston's streets. It helps local artists show their work in their own neighborhoods. This program also makes utility boxes look brighter and helps stop vandalism.
Through PaintBox, the Art Commission asks Boston artists to paint utility boxes. Each box might have a different theme or style, depending on the artist. Since the program is city-wide, PaintBox has become a huge, changing art display all over Boston. This program gets its money from company donations, so it doesn't use any tax dollars.
