CARFAC Public Art Toolkit

On September 11, 2024, CARFAC National presented a Public Art Toolkit which aims to provide a baseline for best practices for contract and payment standards in public art. Public art projects require professional artists to dedicate significant time to ensure successful completion. Commissioners must respect that professional artists working in public art have expertise and skills similar to architects, engineers, construction project managers, and contractors. Their time, knowledge, and expertise are gained through education (formal or informal) and experience.

The development of this Toolkit was a collaborative effort, drawing on current practices in commissioning temporary and permanent public art projects. It was guided by responses from a national survey and meetings of stakeholder groups, including artists, commissioners (government and private), and third-party groups involved in public art commissioning. This inclusive approach ensures the Toolkit’s relevance and usefulness across the public art community. 

The materials in the Toolkit serve as a crucial starting point for artists and commissioners when planning public art projects across Canada. It is a living document that we commit to reviewing and updating regularly. This ensures that it remains responsive to artists’ evolving needs and reflects the dynamic nature of public art practices over time.

The Toolkit will include:
– Glossary of Terms
– Contract Recommendations for Artists and Commissioners
– Public Art Minimum Recommended Fee Schedule

CARFAC National is grateful to the Canada Council for the Arts for their support for this project.