On March 28, 2018, Mayor Thomas C. Henry and the Fort Wayne City Council established the Fort Wayne Public Art Program. Its formation was the result of a partnership between the City and Arts United who worked together on the formation of a program that would improve the quality of life for all residents through an investment in public art. The program is administratively supported by the City’s Community Development Division and primarily funded through private philanthropy and the Public Art Giveback Program, a funding instrument providing contributions from certain City-supported eligible redevelopment projects.
The Public Art program is overseen by a 13-member volunteer Public Art Commission made up of appointments from arts organizations, schools, as well as the City Council and Mayor’s Office. The Public Art Program goal is to enhance the visual environment and strengthen the positive reputation, brand and stature of Fort Wayne and its neighborhoods by promoting and integrating public art throughout the city.
The Public Art Program is guided by the Art for All Public Art Master Plan completed in 2020. The plan recognizes that the success of the Public Art Program will be built on the development of public art by intention, collaboration with partners, placement of public art at community desired locations and the ability to measure investment impacts The plan was adopted in 2020 and the process included engagement with over 2,000 Fort Wayne residents through various activities and stakeholder focus groups.
The work of the Commission is also guided by adopted program guidelines and other policies which can be found on the Program Documents page.
You can contact the Public Art Commission at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..