Hidden Gems: Frisco Public Art

A few weeks ago, while researching some aspect of local travel, I came across the Frisco Public Art program and immediately became captivated by the very thought. Since then, I have tried to look for various art pieces on display on the roads, parks, city offices, and fire stations of Frisco. Far as I can see, there are 63 pieces of art on display across the city and several more as part of the Art in the Atrium series at the George A. Purefoy Municipal Center.

Not wanting to re-invent the wheel, I have extracted information about this program from the City of Frisco official website, and attached below. For those interested in learning more, there is a 76-page master plan document available that sets out in great detail all aspects of this program.

Mission of the program:

The mission of the City of Frisco Public Art Program is to promote cultural, aesthetic, and economic vitality in Frisco, Texas by integrating the work of artists into public places, civic infrastructure, and development of the community.

History of the program:

Frisco’s City Council passed an Ordinance establishing the Public Art Program in 2002. The Ordinance calls for a percentage of Capital Project Funds to be used to commission public art. Known as Percent for Art, this mechanism is used by public agencies across the country.

The Ordinance also called for the development of a Public Art Master Plan to identify guidelines for the Public Art Program. A plan by Via Partnership was adopted in 2004. The plan was updated in 2018 by Designing Local, Ltd. to better reflect public art best practices and the needs of a growing city.

A citizen Public Art Board appointed by the City Council advises staff on the implementation of the Public Art Program

The Goals of the City of Frisco Public Art Program:

To further the development and awareness of, and interest in, the visual arts
To integrate the design work of artists into the development of Frisco’s capital infrastructure improvements
To create and enhanced, interactive visual environment for Frisco residents
To commemorate Frisco’s rich cultural and ethnic diversity
To promote and encourage public and private art programs
To promote tourism and economic vitality in Frisco through the artistic enhancement of public spaces
To increase attachment to place
Engage community partners to build support for public art

The slideshow of all the art pieces on display can be seen here.

The Public Art Map is attached here. I have used this map often to check for artwork, especially if I am visiting a Frisco park or the City Hall area. In the months to come, I hope to be able to see and photograph all the artwork that Frisco has collected. In fact, I think thanks to this project, I will be visiting portions of Frisco that I would have never sought to explore otherwise.

Have you sought out artwork from the Frisco Public Art program? If not, the next time you are out visiting Frisco, or running an errand or driving to the mall or taking the kids to a park or the City Hall area, be sure to keep an eye open. Who knows, you may have one just around your corner?

Here are six of the art pieces that we came across in our travels.