Mission
The Ann Arbor Public Art Commission is an advisory body to City Council with the goal of creating public art in Ann Arbor that improves the aesthetic quality of public spaces and structures and provides cultural and recreational opportunities that contribute to local heritage, stimulates economic and promotes the general welfare of the community.
We are not a source of funding and any proposed project should address a plan for funding. However, we can provide visibility and feedback for proposals submitted and, if municipal space is part of your project, city ordinance requires you to seek our recommendations first. AAPAC meetings are open to the public; agendas and minutes for the Public Art Commission are stored on the Legistar Calendar.
American Rescue Plan Arts Grants
On March 6, 2023, City Council
adopted a resolution approved an agreement with Creative Washtenaw to design and administer a grant program for artists and arts organizations on behalf of the City using the ARPA SLFRF funds allocated for this purpose.
The Council approved up to $200,000 from the $500,000 allocation of ARPA funds for trauma-informed arts programs, including programs that:
- Are intended to mediate the negative impacts of psychological trauma on the individuals creating or experiencing the art;
- Support at-risk youth, BIPOC, and other marginalized populations who are at much higher risk for exposure to trauma;
- Promote a culture of healing, safety, empowerment, awareness of past traumas, and have a focus on strength and resilience;
- Are not necessarily administered by license-holding mental health professionals but are administered by individuals who make a good faith effort to employ trauma-informed principles.
| Purpose | Applicants | Total requested | Available to Grant | % of available $ | Left to distribute (oversubscribed) |
| Recovery | 41 | $288,048 | $280,000 | 102.87% | $ (8,048) |
| Initiatives for Youth, BIPOC, Marginalized | 5 | $46,000 | $180,000 | 25.56% | $134,000
|
The Review Panel
- Ingrid Ault – grants policy manager, Witt O'Brien and ARPA Grants manager/expert
- Jamal Bufford – Ann Arbor Public Arts Commission and Project Specialist for Washtenaw My Brother's Keeper
- Zita Gillis - Creator at Zitatini, Logistics/PR at Illuminatus Lasers
- Thomas Reischl Ph.D. – Evaluation Director, U-M Prevention Research Collaborative
- Praveena Ramaswami – Community Leader
- Hananiah Wiggins - Neutral Zone, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Activism Program Manager
- Fang Zhang, Hughes Fellow at the University of Michigan
Creative Washtenaw Facilitators
- Deb Polich, President/CEO
- Margaret Woodard, Project Manager
Virtual art tour
Now you can take a
virtual tour of public art in Ann Arbor. Learn more about each piece and the artist behind it. The
tool also works on your smartphone, essentially serving as a digital guide.
Get involved
You can get involved by making a
donation, organizing a neighborhood public art project, volunteer to serve on an AAPAC sub-committee or
offer suggestions for public art themes and locations. If you'd like to suggest location, or concept, ideas for public art that the city could commission, please send an email to
[email protected].
Public Art Commissioners:
Cynthia Harrison, Member of City Council (non-voting)
Fang Zhang, Hughes Fellow at the University of Michigan, Chair
Jamall Bufford, WISD Project Specialist, Vice-Chair
Allison Buck, Marketing Director
Sophie Grillet, Fine Artist
John Kotarski, Educator
Marianetta Porter, Artist/Professor
Mary Thiefels, Artist
Peggy Leonard, Elementary Art Teacher
Citizens interested in supporting and promoting the City of Ann Arbor through participation on a city board or commission, please visit the
Boards and Commissions page.
