Whether a large-scale contemporary sculptural work, functional elements integrated into the public realm, temporary video or sound installation or other site-specific interventions, public art has the ability to capture the public's imagination. It can evoke aspects of the social, natural, cultural, physical, political, economic or historical context of the site and its locale.
Public art enhances the urban fabric of our community by creating beloved landmarks, reflecting our local heritage, conveying Lethbridge's cultural image while helping to foster a community identity. It is a source of civic pride, encourages social exchange and positively impacts economic development and tourism.
The City of Lethbridge public art program is the result of a collaborative effort by the City and its arts community. The City of Lethbridge adopted a Public Art Policy in 2007 as a framework for the acquisition of public art, public art governance, and the management of the public art collections. The policy also established a Lethbridge Public Art Committee as an advisory body for the program.
The Public Art Master Plan builds on the established foundation of local city-building initiatives, such as the Heart of Our City Master Plan, and defines a long-term vision for public art in Lethbridge. The plan seeks to comprehensively integrate the City's current initiatives under a coordinated framework that provides policy and programming direction to guide the future advancement of public art in Lethbridge.
