Public art is free, accessible to all people, and has the potential to visually connect civic spaces, promote walkable communities, and create a sense of place. Art in public spaces can allow for the discovery and a celebration of artists. It has the potential to enhance cultural identity by chronicling the historical roots of a community.
Both Newark and the University of Delaware (UD) campus boast an impressive display of art. Prominent exhibits include a series of downtown murals commissioned as part of a City of Newark beautification project, a collection of sculptures by beloved local artist Charles C. Parks, and the symbolic "Wings of Thought" sculpture that serves as the focal point of UD's Mentors' Circle. Yet, in many instances, public art blends into the environment and goes virtually unnoticed.
To identify and map locations of existing art, UD's Institute for Public Administration (IPA) is conducting an inventory of public art in Newark and UD campus art. The project is supported by small grants from the UD Partnership for Arts & Culture (PAC). For the purpose of the project, public art is defined as a "permanent installation of artwork that is located indoors or outdoors and is visually, physically, and freely accessible to the public at least eight hours per day."
Newark and UD community members are invited to discover, pinpoint locations, and photograph art by using a web-based survey application. Participants can use a QR code or a link to access the survey app. Once the survey is opened in a browser, they can snap a picture, "geo-tag" the location, describe the art, and submit the entry. The submission deadline is April 10, 2020.
Upon completion of the inventory, data will be uploaded as a publicly available dataset. FirstMap is Delaware's centralized repository for geospatial data layers will support sharing of the dataset. IPA will use the data to create an interactive Newark Public Art GIS Story Map. It will enable residents, visitors, and the UD community to virtually discover the murals, sculptures, paintings, and other art that commemorate Newark's heritage and cultural roots.
Visit https://bit.ly/NewarkArtSurvey to take the survey today.
Questions and concerns can be directed to Marcia Scott, Policy Scientist, at msscott@udel.edu or 302-831-0581.
About the Institute for Public Administration
Established in 1973, IPA addresses the policy, planning, and management needs of its partners through the integration of applied research, professional development, and the education of tomorrow's leaders. IPA is a research and public service center in the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy & Administration within the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Delaware.
