The city of Atlanta recently acquired landmark public art. A unanimous vote approved an ordinance authorizing the city to acquire nine new pieces of art for a total investment of nearly $4.4 million. The nine works will be installed at sites in downtown, midtown and southwest Atlanta. This will make the highest level of art available to the public, according to city officials. The acquisition is funded by the Renew Atlanta Infrastructure Bond program.
On par with acquisitions in Houston, Charlotte, Seattle, Denver, Portland, and Chicago – as well as in leading cities across the globe – this acquisition of landmark public art brings Atlanta into the global conversation around cities and culture, urban life and contemporary art. The public will be able to view each of the works for free, without the barrier of a membership fee or ticket.
The nine artists chosen are:
- Alicja Kwade
- Willie Cole
- Byung Hoon Choi
- Ryan Gander
- Yinka Shoniebare MBE
- Juame Plensa
- Ugo Rondinone
- Katharina Grosse
- Radcliffe Bailey.
Earlier this year, Mayor Reed established the Renew Atlanta Public Art Curatorial Committee to advise on selecting artists and artwork. Committee members were selected for their curatorial expertise and community arts leadership. Committee members include:
- Lisa Cremin, Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta, Chairwoman
- Andrea Barnwell, Director, Spelman College Museum of Fine Art
- Sarah Schleuning, Curator of Decorative Arts, High Museum of Art
- Alexandra Sachs, Executive Director, SCAD FASH (museum)
- Daniel Fuller, Curator, Atlanta Contemporary Art Center
- Nickitas Demos, Director, Center for Collaborative and International Arts, Georgia State University
- Rebecca Cochran, Curator, Weiland Collection
- Shawyna Harris, Curator, African American and African Diasporic Art, Georgia Museum of Art
- Madison Cario, Director, Ferst Center for the Arts, Georgia Tech
- Victoria Camblin, Editor and Artistic Director, Art Papers
- Milton Clipper, retired CEO, PBA/WABE.
About the Author
