Public Art Committee

The Newburyport Public Art Committee (PAC) was established in 2023 under Mayor Sean Reardon. Commissioners are appointed by the Mayor to serve three-year terms. The PAC supports the commissioning, review, selection, acceptance, and care of art in public places. They aim to raise public awareness of the impact of public art and its cultural and economic contributions while establishing a diverse collection of public art that engages the community and encourages dialogue around public art. They also aim to identify and promote funding mechanisms to support public art, including grants, donations and specially designated funds. The end result of their efforts will provide a legacy of art and culture for future generations.

Curatorial Vision: To foster the creation and collection of artworks that reflect the people, ideas, histories, and futures of Newburyport. To seek public art that is driven by an artistically strong vision, enhances the diversity and equity of the existing collection, and possesses durability appropriate to the lifespan of the work.

The Public Art Committee reviews applications for public art on an annual cycle. Applications are due each calendar year by October 15 and the PAC begins their annual review in early November. A link to the on-line application portal may be found on OpenGov under Public Art Committee. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Public Art Policy before submitting an application in order to understand requirements for public art approvals and processes.