Public art a cornerstone of Phoenix Convention Center's identity

Written By: Alexa D'Angelo • Date Written: 7/24/2023 • Our Story

Since the opening of Phoenix Civic Plaza in 1972, art has been a crucial component of the facility. The Phoenix Convention Center’s robust public art display is composed of local, regional and national artists and a variety of mediums that can be seen throughout the facility.

This commitment to the arts is made possible through the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture Public Art Program. Carrie Brown, deputy arts and culture director with the City of Phoenix, said she and her team work to bring artists on board for the various capital improvement projects across the city.

“Bringing artists to the table, allowing them to have a voice, is so important,” Brown said. “It’s more than building a public facility or a utility. Bringing in artwork makes us uniquely Phoenix and speaks to who we are. And it shows that we value the arts.”

The Phoenix Convention Center & Venues has been steadfast in its commitment to public art. When the facility expanded in 2008, 10 new artworks were added to the existing collection. Some of those pieces of art were integral to the design of the facility, like “Art is a Guaranty of Sanity” by Louise Bourgeois, that the West Building was constructed around it due to its size.

“These pieces of art can make you pause for a second and take a break from the hustle and bustle when you are going from meeting to meeting at a convention,” Brown said.

“There’s an experience built in there. Having these works of art give people something to connect with when they are here. That’s what is memorable to people when they are visiting a new place.”

Phoenix’s commitment to public art

The City’s Public Art Program goes beyond the Convention Center walls. The Public Art Program was established by the Phoenix City Council in 1986 through an ordinance that allocates one percent of the city’s annual Capital Improvement Program to public art projects, Brown said. This means that one penny from every Capital Improvement Program dollar used to build or improve City infrastructure like streets, parks, the airport, libraries, community centers, the Phoenix Convention Center & Venues and more, goes toward public art.

The program is intended to foster collaboration between local government, artists, and other design professionals to create a more beautiful and vibrant city, Brown said.

“When we are looking at a new piece of art for anywhere in the City, we are looking at the best way to affect the space,” Brown said. “We want a variety of projects and experiences for our visitors and residents.”

The artists are selected via a panel that begins with an open call, known as a request for qualifications or RFQ, Brown said.

“Our process allows us to get artists on board early so that all stakeholders can plan accordingly,” Brown said. “The understanding of the design and the facility is crucial.”

Phoenix Convention Center & Venue’s public art

When the facility expanded in 2008, the Phoenix Convention Center had a $3.2 million public art budget stemming from three capital improvement program bonds. These works offer a variety of perspectives on life in Phoenix, the United States, and the world in the 21st century.

Brown said the importance of public art cannot be overstated, especially in spaces like the Convention Center.

“The things that are memorable for people are the cultural things,” Brown said. “The art at the Convention Center is free to see and open to the public. Each one has its own unique perspective and makes the experience of visiting the Convention Center more memorable.”

Brown said that every piece might not speak to everyone, and that’s true of any work of art. But, she says, that’s not what matters.

“What matters is that it connects with at least one person,” Brown said. “And these works of art, they do. It’s about the one person who walks by, pauses, and feels something.”

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