Lexington city officials are putting out the call to community members to increase public art on city-owned properties. The City announced a collaborative project last week. Heather Lyons is the director of arts and cultural affairs for Lexington. She said there’s an intentional effort being made to see public art outside the downtown area.
“And so there is a concerted effort on our part to really reach out across the city and county and to encourage applications from the other districts,” said Lyons.
Lyons noted plans are in the works for public art projects at the Fayette County Detention Center and Gainesway Park. In addition to telling local stories through art, Lyons added public art projects can also be an important part of a tourism strategy.
“Public art really gives a city an identity. It gives it a personality. It gives it something that people are proud of and they want to rally behind,” said Lyons.
Lyons said Lexington’s percent for art fund is a way to support public art. It amounts to one percent of all capital funds in the city budget.
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