FH, Scottsdale boast public art

The measure of any great civilization is its cities, and a measure of a city's greatness is to be found in the quality of its public spaces, its parks, and its squares.

   -John Ruskin

The Town of Fountain Hills and the City of Scottsdale can be called great, especially based on the quality of their public spaces.

One of the goals set by art lovers in Fountain Hills to commemorate Arizona’s 100th birthday was to have at least 100 pieces of public art in place at the time of the anniversary date.

Both Fountain Hills and the City of Scottsdale have large public art collections, pushed forward by dedicated citizens who place a high value on art in a community. The Town of Fountain Hills exceeded its goal to have 100 pieces of public art in time for the 100th anniversary of Arizona. The City of Scottsdale has more than 1,950 objects including 704 municipal and 1,250 museum pieces.

Both communities provide programs to showcase artworks. Fountain Hills’ public art committee hosts monthly art walks during the winter months. Two different art tours are held on the first Saturday of each month. Volunteer docents take visitors on the tours, providing information about each piece they visit.

The tours have been revamped this year to include several new art pieces. One of the tours, called the Civic Center Tour, features pieces in the courtyard area and inside both the Community Center and Library/Museum.

The second tour, called the Fountain Park Tour, proceeds down the Avenue of the Fountains to Fountain Park. This tour highlights pieces in Town Hall, down the Avenue of the Fountains and the collection at the Park.

Both tours meet at the Community Center. The cost of each tour is $5 and includes a commemorative mug with gift coupons to those who preregister. Preregistration deadline is 5 p.m. on the Thursday preceding the tours. The next scheduled tours are Saturday, Feb. 4, at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

The City of Scottsdale established its municipal art collection formally in 1967. In 1985 the City established its Public Art Program, putting in place guiding ordinances and funding sources.

Both Fountain Hills and Scottsdale have programs requiring developers and businesses to pay one percent of construction costs to fund public art at commercial and multi-residential buildings.

The Public Art Committee in Fountain Hills has a major role in raising money for public art works. Active procurement of a specific piece, by commissioning a specific artist or through gifts to the town, the committee reviews and facilitates each proposed art acquisition.

For more information on the Fountain Hills public art program, visit www.fountainhillspublicart.org. Scottsdale’s Website is www.scottsdalepublicart.org.