Public art serves several important purposes in our communities, including:
- Cultural Expression: It can reflect and celebrate the cultural identity and heritage of a community.
- Aesthetic Enhancement: Public art beautifies public spaces, making them more enjoyable and visually appealing.
- Community Engagement: It can encourage community interaction, pride and engagement, often becoming a focal point for social gatherings and events.
- Economic Benefits: Public art can attract tourists and visitors from within the city and from further afield, boosting local businesses and contributing to the economy.
- Educational Value: It provides educational opportunities, sparking curiosity and learning about history, art, culture and other matters.
- Social Commentary: Public art can react to social issues, provoke thought, and inspire change by highlighting important topics and perspectives.
The majority of public art in the city is listed on the Public Art Dundee website.
Dundee’s Percent for Art Policy
As identified in Dundee's Local Development Plan (2019) the Percent for Art scheme requires that developments with construction costs of £1 million or more allocate at least 1% of those costs to public art projects related to their development. This policy aims to enhance the visual and cultural quality of the city's environment by integrating art into new developments. The scheme is seen as a significant contributor to the aesthetic and cultural value of Dundee, ensuring that public art is a key element in the city's growth, status and development.
How the policy works
Dundee's Percent for Art policy involves several key steps to integrate public art into new developments:
- Eligibility: Developments with construction costs of £1 million or more must allocate at least 1% of these costs to public art projects. The 1% value will be assessed by reference to the building warrant values.
- Planning and Approval: Developers work with Dundee City Council's Public Art Officer to identify suitable artists and prepare an artist brief. The proposed artworks must receive prior approval from the Council before being commissioned. (Please note: Murals are normally not acceptable due to their limited lifespan)
- Commissioning: Developers commission the selected artist(s) to create the artwork. The contract is between the developer and the artist, ensuring the developer is satisfied with all aspects before proceeding.
- Installation: The public art should be installed before the first occupation of the building.
- Maintenance: The responsibility for the ownership and maintenance of the artwork remains with the occupier of the development. Artworks should be designed to last the lifetime of the development, but any alterations or replacements should be discussed with the Public Art Officer.
Identifying artists
Dundee City Council will not insist on any particular artist being used for a development but can advise on potential artists – ultimately that is a decision taken by a developer with assistance from the Public Art Officer.
It is accepted that developers often do not have knowledge of suitable artists and as such the Public Art Officer can advise of potential artists for consideration. Artists seeking work in the Dundee area are encouraged to register their interest with the Public Art Officer by completing this online form. Completion of the form in no way guarantees work will be offered but will be used to make developers aware of active artists. Artists who have already delivered public art in Dundee should ensure that they are credited on their piece through the Public Art Dundee Website
The Public Art Dundee website is also a useful resource for identifying artists that have previously delivered within Dundee.
Dundee City Council developments
Projects delivered directly by Dundee City Council are also subject to the percent for art policy: the process for delivery of these is broadly similar to the process outlined above. Any artist working on a Dundee City Council commission will however need to be registered on Public Contracts Scotland: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ (it is free to register on that site)