Why Public Art?
Art Matters. Public Art plays a vital role in activating our public spaces; making the streets and public spaces come alive. Public art promotes vitality and energizes the community. Public art is visual story telling; it provides a sense of place, time, and identity. Please continue to support public art in your communities and neighborhoods!
Where Does It Come From?
The 1% for Art program was established in the Anchorage Municipality in 1978. In 1975 Alaska became the 10th state to pass a law that requires 1% of construction costs be used to purchase and permanently place artwork in public buildings throughout the city. As of 2018 Anchorage has 515 public art works at a value of $14.7 million. Currently, when a public facility experiences new construction or a renovation, 1% of the construction budget is set aside for new artwork for the site.
How is the Art Chosen?
All public artwork commissioned through this program is chosen democratically by a volunteer committee of community members, artists, Municipality representatives, and others associated with the site or project.

Stay Connected
The Public Art Program is seeking to improve its public outreach for the dissemination of Calls For Art - Are you a member of an artist group or organization? Contact the Public Art Program to find out how you can help to connect your community to Public Art! Use the tag, "Connect My Community to the Arts" in the subject line.
Gideon Gerlt Curator of Public Art
Department of Public Works, Public Art Program
4700 Elmore Road, 2nd Floor Anchorage, Alaska 99507
Email: gideon.gerlt@anchorageak.gov Phone: (907) 343-6473 Fax: (907)249-7381