The Establishment of the Concept of Public Art in the United States

Considering Calder's Sculpture in Grand Rapids as the Very First Work of Public Art

Abstract

The concept of “public art” in a contemporary sense dates from the the establishment of the Art in the Public Places program at NEA in 1967. Alexander Calder's sculpture “La Grande Vitesse” installed in Grand Rapids by the program in 1969 is considered the very first work of public art. This study examines why and how the first public art has come to be realized, and discusses the original concept of “public art” in the United States.