Miami Beach Increases Funding for Arts in Public Places Program

(Miami Beach, FL) Sep 13, 2019 -

In 1995, the City of Miami Beach Art in Public Places (AiPP) program was adopted with a mission to enhance the aesthetic environment of the city by incorporating works of art on public property. Since then, the program has grown to one of the leading AiPP programs in the nation by curating public art by noted international artists.

Since its inception, the robust Art in Public Places program has been funded by 1.5 percent of all hard costs of city capital improvement projects, including new construction. This week, the City Commission voted to increase the AiPP funding – allocating 2 percent of all construction to the program and expanding the definition of projects that are eligible for AiPP contributions.

“Investing in arts and culture not only has intrinsic benefits, but economic ones — including increasing property value,” noted Mayor Dan Gelber. “The augmented funding is sure to bring more opportunity to our arts community and larger than life ideas to fruition, which will ultimately elevate our leading public art program to newer heights.”

The allocated funds are expected to make a significant difference considering the city’s frequent and large-scale building and improvements as a result of the $439 million general obligation bond program.

“This funding increase in the policy makes Miami Beach one of the most progressive AiPP cities in the country,” added Tourism and Culture Director Matt Kenny.

By the end of 2019, Miami Beach will further establish its role as a national leader in public art with the opening of six monumental public art projects at the newly renovated Miami Beach Convention Center. These projects present the largest single commission by municipal percent-for-art program in the U.S.