Don’t get us wrong, we like public art initiatives. But this DCist (and we know many others) have grown somewhat tired of the animal-themed public art/charity fundraiser displays. We think they may have run their course. Sure, Pandamania and the Party Animals were great ways to showcase the talents of local artists, but in a city that also serves as a world capital, we would hope that there would be a little more investment in public art commissions, projects that would have more institutional support. If the Medici family could sponsor the great Florentine artists of the Renaissance, why can’t our government and civic institutions, supposedly the greatest ever to grace the planet, push to make Washington’s artistic streetscapes have a shelf life that lasts slightly longer than a summer charity fundraiser?

But we digress. In an era of fiscal frugality in a city of neoclassical columns and pediments, we must be fortunate for what we have, which is considerably more than most places in the United States. The D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities‘ D.C. Creates Public Art has put out an all call for artists, preferably with experience with public installations, to create “highly visible art installations around the city.” The deadline is July 15.

From DC.gov:

The program was established by 1986 legislation that allocates up to one percent of the District’s adjusted Capital Budget for the commission and acquisition of artwork.

The possibilities intrigues this DCist, especially considering the sites chosen for new public art installations:

— H Street, NE Starburst Intersection
— Anacostia Streetcar Station Art
— Chinatown Gate
— Dupont Circle Metro Station
— Mount Vernon Square Metro Station

What is your assessment of the state of the public arts in the District?

>> WMATA’s Art in Transit

DCist photo of a giant metallic leaf at the New York Avenue-Florida Avenue-Gallaudet University metrorail station