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The Percent for Art Ordinance, section 16-103 of the Philadpelphia Code

The Ordinance states: "An amount not to exceed one percent of the total dollar amount of any construction contract for a building, bridge and its approaches, arch, gate or other structure to be paid for either wholly or in part by the City, shall be devoted to Fine Arts; provided that the Art Commission certifies in writing that said ornamentation is fitting and appropriate to the function and location of the structure."

Overview

Established in 1959, the Percent for Art Ordinance applies to construction and remodeling projects planned through the City of Philadelphia's annual Capital budget process, as well as those developed at a departmental level.

The goal of the Percent for Art Program is to commission artists to create outstanding and enduring artwork, which will respond specifically to public spaces.The Percent for Art program considers all site-specific artworks. The inclusion of art at the site may occur in a variety of ways: as an integral part of the architectural and functional aspects of the project, or as a separate formal element of the site.  Long-term maintenance, durability, and public safety concerns are major selection criteria.

Guidelines

The Percent for Art program issues a "Call for Artists" application for each eligible project, which outlines the project details and submission procedures.  General requirements include submitting images of past work, resume(s), and a statement of intent.  All Percent for Art projects are open to professional artists and/or artistic teams.  Residency requirements vary by project. To be added to our mailing list, click here.

For each project an independent selection panel, comprised of arts professionals, artists, community representatives, architects, and users of the facility, review artists' submissions.  Artwork is selected on the basis of artistic merit, technical proficiency, and relationship to the site.  Artists are required to comply with all applicable rules, methods and procedures of all governmental boards, bureaus, offices, commissions, and other agencies of the City of Philadelphia.  The Percent for Art Program is designed to offer serious consideration to all artists with or without prior experience in public art.

History

In December of 1959, Philadelphia's City Council adopted one of the first Percent for Art Ordinances in the nation. Since 1959 more than 300 works of art have been commissioned through the City of Philadelphia's Percent for Art Program. The intent of the Percent for Art Ordinance is to invigorate the City of Philadelphia's public environment by incorporating exceptional works of art into City construction projects. Works of art commissioned or purchased through the Percent for Art Program will hopefully engage lively discourse while raising community awareness and involvement in the future preservation of the City's collection of public art.

Voting Jurors

For each Percent for Art competition, a group of three voting jurors are selected, unique to each project, based on their experience and expertise. Jurors are often studio artists, public artists, arts administrators, curators, design professionals, and instructors.

FAQ

I do not live in Philadelphia; may I apply for a Percent for Art commission?
Yes, however residency requirements vary by project.  Many projects are open to artists who live anywhere within the United States, while others have specific residency requirements. 

How do I find out about upcoming Percent for Art projects?
Please check the website for information on current and upcoming projects.  To be added to our mailing list click here.
 
Does the Public Art Program have an artist registry?
Yes. As of December 1, 2009 the Office reinstated its registry. The artist registry allows artists to participate by maintaining a record of their work with the Philadelphia Public Art program. Public art staff, panelists, architects, and City agencies will consult the registry as opportunities become available.  The registry will be the primary means of selecting artists for Public Art projects. Some additional competitions may be announced. The registry is open to all professional artists. There are no residency requirements for the registry, although some opportunities will be limited to the greater Philadelphia region. 
APPLICATION FORM

What is the Art Commission?
The Philadelphia Art Commission is comprised of eight (8) appointed members and the Commissioner of Public Property.  It serves as an approval body for the design and location of public buildings and works of art acquired by the City, including those donated to the City or commissioned under the Percent for Art program.