Public Art programs which emphasize scale and excellence help to identify a community’s profile and attract people. Increasingly studies indicate that people and corporations are attracted to regions with a thriving cultural scene. Major metropolitan areas that have utilized public art as a key pillar in their economic development strategies have been very successful in attracting and retaining a viable workforce. The 1990’s saw the beginning of this trend where highly skilled workers begin choosing a place to live before finding a job, a trend with profound implications for the future economic development of our communities.

Public Art Program process builds community, both around a project and among people whom likely would never have come together under any other circumstance. The process also extends to community conversations, even controversy and can help focus us on the future, compel us to share our concepts of community and even rethink our sense of esthetics. It’s a process that builds community around a shared history, all the while creating a growing public profile.

Art In Public Places Initiative (APPI) Subcommittee of the Leawood Arts Council http://www.leawood.org/cactions/publicart.aspx

City of Lenexa; Vision 2020
http://www.ci.lenexa.ks.us/2020/beautification.html

City of Merriam
http://www.merriam.org/

City of Olathe Public Art and Culture Commission
http://www.olatheks.org/ParksRec/Art/Grant

City of Roeland Park
http://www.roelandpark.net/art-in-r-park.html

City of Shawnee Parks and Recreation
http://www.cityofshawnee.org/parks/landmarks.html

Shawnee Convention and Visitors Bureau
http://www.shawneekscvb.com/wtd_art.htm

The Arts and Recreation Foundation of Overland Park
http://artsandrec-op.org/