Exciting news! The Association for Public Art (aPA) is a recipient of the 2015 Public Art Network Award from Americans for the Arts (AFTA), the nation’s leading nonprofit for advancing the arts and arts education in the US. Given annually, the award honors innovative contributions, exemplary commitment, and leadership in public art.
The award was presented at the Americans for the Arts 2015 Public Art and Placemaking Preconference in Chicago. “We are thrilled to be receiving the 2015 Public Art Network Award,” says Penny Balkin Bach, aPA Executive Director. “This special recognition by AFTA continues to raise the national visibility of our organization and its distinguished 143-year history.”
“Placemaking is a Verb”
In conjunction with our award, Penny Balkin Bach wrote for ARTSblog about the growing popularity of placemaking and pop-ups and the importance of engaging artists in the planning stages of the project: “…art in public spaces has long been a material attribute of our civic landscape. We know and can cite examples of public art that enhance our environment, transform landscapes, express community values, bring people together, heighten our awareness, or question our assumptions.”