GENERAL
1. What is the Public Art Trust (PAT)?
Launched in 2014, the Public Art Trust (PAT) is an initiative to commission impactful and meaningful public art in public spaces. On top of creating new opportunities for artists, the PAT will seek to drive education and outreach, and champion best practices for the commissioning of public art. As a National Arts Council (NAC) initiative, the PAT will prioritise opportunities for Singaporean artists, while creating platforms for collaboration with leading international artists.
2. Why Public Art?
Public art are creative works conceived for display in public spaces, and created specifically for public enjoyment. Good public art has the ability to create vibrancy in our shared spaces, challenge our everyday perception of our urban environment and the way we engage with it.
New public art commissions can significantly benefit artists through commissioning opportunities and offer learning experiences through the collaborative nature of public art, in working with urban planners, designers, architects and civil engineers. Apart from its potential to transform public spaces, public art offers an opportunity for the NAC to bring art to the community, offering easy access to the diverse cultural character of our city-state.
The PAT seeks to adopt a broad and inclusive view of what can constitute a public artwork, with a willingness to consider less conventional approaches and medium.
3. How will the artist and artwork be selected?
New public art may be commissioned by the PAT. Artworks will be selected through an open call or a closed call.
The PAT will make its selection based on a thorough assessment of the artistic and aesthetic merits of the artwork, feasibility of the proposal, its potential to engage the public, its sensitivity to the chosen site of display, and the artist's track record.
Criteria for artist selection:
- Singapore/Permanent Resident or International artist;
- Strong track record;
- No outstanding liabilities with NAC (For Singapore/PR artists).
4. What is the commissioning process?
Please refer to the PAT commissioning process here.
5. Who will the PAT commissioned artworks belong to?
All public artworks commissioned by or co-commissioned with the PAT will reside in the collection of the Trust. The PAT will be responsible for maintenance and restoration (in the event the work is damaged) for the contractual duration of its display.
6. Who owns copyright of the public artworks?
The Intellectual Property or copyright of all artworks including its preliminary materials such as drawings, sketches, and renderings will remain in the ownership of the artist or their estate.
7. How does the PAT choose the site for an artwork?
The PAT maintains a database of available public sites for the commissioning of public artworks. These sites are typically open areas, outdoor plazas, lawns and even large walls or voluminous floor to ceiling spaces. As a public agency, the NAC will work with relevant agencies and stakeholders to seek out new spaces.
8. Will there be any publicity activities for the commissioned artwork?
Yes, a programming and publicity plan will be developed for every commissioned public art work as we want Singapore and the world to know about these commissioned works. The artworks will be featured on the PAT website and included in future PAT outreach programmes and walking trails.