South Dublin County Public Art documents public artworks in the county commissioned since 1988, providing a detailed information and archival resource for public use. It maps the locations where permanent artworks can be seen, and the locations where ephemeral works were presented.
This public art database has been developed by South Dublin County Council with the support of artists and a diversity of commissioning agencies and organizations. It compliments existing Public Art resources such as the Arts Council’s website PublicArt.ie
South Dublin County Council has been one of the most prolific local authority commissioners of public art since it began its In Context Programmes in 1997. Over 25 commissions have been awarded, some delivering multiple artworks, through the Per Cent for Art Schemes and Area Regeneration Plans. The Per Cent for Art Scheme is administered by Irish government departments with capital construction budgets, in particular the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
South Dublin County Council’s public art programme under the per cent for Art Scheme IN CONTEXT is widely considered a model of best practice in Public Art commissioning. Now in it’s 5 phase of commission, IN CONTEXT 5 – Connect aims to build upon the strengths of earlier phases of the programme, which are widely considered models of best practice in Public Art commissioning. It follows IN CONTEXT 4 – In Our Time which created a framework for artists to reflect on the situation of the County, responding to themes and issues that are prominent in our time and gathered temporary communities around an inspirational idea that aspires to a legacy and IN CONTEXT 3 – Time which placed emphasis on Time, allowing artists to significant periods of time to engage to to engage with the context. It involved 8 commissions, 8 lead artists, curators, mediators, numerous events, exhibitions, sited work, and involvements with communities around the county.
Other public artworks, both privately and publicly commissioned, are also included in the database where possible. This enables a more complete overview of the public art landscape that has emerged over time in the county.
Please click here and you will be brought to the South Dublin County Council Public Art Database.
Please click here and you will be brought to the IN CONTEXT website