About Us
Public art enhances the urban fabric of our community by creating beloved landmarks, reflecting our local heritage, conveying Lethbridge’s cultural image while helping to foster a community identity.
Dreaming of Future Ecologies, April Matisz, 2021
Whether a large-scale contemporary sculptural work, functional elements integrated into the public realm, temporary video or sound installation or other site-specific interventions, public art has the ability to capture the public’s imagination. It can evoke aspects of the social, natural, cultural, physical, political, economic or historical context of the site and its locale.
Public art enhances the urban fabric of our community by creating beloved landmarks, reflecting our local heritage, conveying Lethbridge’s cultural image while helping to foster a community identity. It is a source of civic pride, encourages social exchange and positively impacts economic development and tourism.
The City of Lethbridge public art program is the result of a collaborative effort by the City and its arts community. The City of Lethbridge adopted a Public Art Policy in 2007 as a framework for the acquisition of public art, public art governance, and the management of the public art collections. The policy also established a Lethbridge Public Art Committee as an advisory body for the program.
The Public Art Master Plan builds on the established foundation of local city-building initiatives, such as the Heart of Our City Master Plan, and defines a long-term vision for public art in Lethbridge. The plan seeks to comprehensively integrate the City’s current initiatives under a coordinated framework that provides policy and programming direction to guide the future advancement of public art in Lethbridge.
Lethbridge’s Public Art Policy defines Public Art as any visual art media which:
• Builds a visually rich environment
• Provides art that is accessible to the community at large
• Reflects our diverse culture and celebrates our living heritage
• Demonstrates diverse expressions of art
• Expands knowledge and understanding of art and culture
• Prompts viewers to explore, challenge and question the work and its meaning
• Creates a sense of pride and achievement in the community
• Ensures a lasting legacy
Iiyikitapiiyi: Be Brave, Fearless, Hali Heavy Shield, September 2021
Lethbridge Public Art Committee Members
The Public Art Committee is a volunteer body whose role is to ensure that the overall objectives of the Public Art Policy are accomplished. The Committee operates in an advisory capacity, reporting its activities and recommendations to City Council as required. The Public Art Committee is responsible for:
- Vision development
- Program planning
- Artwork commissioning and acquisition processes
- Project budget allocations
- Commission and program presentations to Lethbridge City Council**
Voting Members:
Josephine Mills (University of Lethbridge Art Gallery), Amanda Berg (Public Member), Jeremy Pavka (Public Member), Su Ying Strang (Southern Alberta Art Gallery), Darrin Martens (Galt Museum), Jana Mackenzie/Darcy Logan (Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge), Crystal Sheit (Urban Revitalization Manager)
Non-voting members:
Katie Bruce (Public Art Coordinator), Jillian Bracken (Rec and Culture City Manager), Charlene Bruised Head-Mountain Horse (Indigenous Relations Advisor), Genesis Moleskey (Community Planner)