Public Art can make a significant contribution to enriching the quality of developments, open spaces and the cultural heritage value by adding visual interest and quality to the city’s environment. Public Art can draw upon the location’s history, culture and social circumstances to reflect its part in the Dundee community. Artworks can be of various scales from small discreet items which are there to be discovered, to statement pieces which can act as a focal point enabling them to serve as a local meeting place or landmark. In doing so Public Art offers an opportunity to utilise artworks as a focus for promotional activities, both for the City as a whole and the developments or persons responsible for their commission.
Dundee is fortunate to have a substantial and growing collection of artworks distributed around the city. You can find out more about each piece of art on the Public Art Dundee website
Percent For Art Policy
Policy 2 of the Dundee Local Development Plan 2019 requires that developments with construction costs of £1 million or over will be required to allocate at least 1% of construction costs for the inclusion of art projects in a publicly accessible/visible place or places within the development. The Percent for Art policy is viewed as a major contributor to the achievement of quality and interest in the developments taking place in Dundee.
It is acknowledged that many private development companies may not have direct experience of commissioning public art in this area. Dundee City Council can provide limited assistance via the Public Art Officer in undertaking commissions. Such assistance can include:
- Identifying artists working locally *
- Assistance with preparing an artist(s) brief
- Assessing proposals from artists
* Please Note that Dundee City Council cannot give recommendation or instruction to use a specific artist: it is the developer’s responsibility to ensure that they are happy in all respects before commissioning work. Any subsequent contract will be between the artist and the developer.
All artworks provided under the percent for art policy must seek prior approval by Dundee City Council before being commissioned so maintaining contact with the relevant Planning Officer and Public Art Officer can make this approval process quicker.
The 1% value will be assessed by reference to the building warrant values. It is best practice that public art be installed prior to 1st occupation of any building. Ownership and future maintenance of the artwork remains with the occupier of any host development. Artworks should be designed to last the lifetime of the development but it is understood that in some instances that may not be practical, if alterations or replacement artworks are being considered it is recommended that contact be made with the Public Art Officer at an early stage.
Dundee City Council commissioned works
The percent for art policy applies equally to projects undertaken by Dundee City Council and its partners. The City Development Department will also from time to time include artworks within smaller construction projects.
Artists seeking Work
It is important that artists seeking opportunities on any publicly funded or managed project be registered on Public Contracts Scotland (free to register) as that database is often searched by publicly funded bodies.
Artists who have already delivered public art in Dundee should ensure that they are credited on their piece through the Public Art Dundee Website
It is helpful for artists working in the local area to introduce themselves to our public art officer by emailing planning@dundeecity.gov.uk so that we are aware of your work and have up to date contact details.
The Public Art Officer is primarily responsible for activities associated with the City Development Department, other departments and partner organisations also have their own methods for identifying and commissioning artists