History

In 1977, Atlanta, in stride with many other major metropolitan cities, adopted its first public art ordinance which set aside a percent of capital improvement funds for the development of public art.

Like many other cities however, Atlanta did not keep pace with the changing times and the complexity of implementing a percent for art ordinance. In 1994 the then Bureau of Cultural Affairs (BCA), along with concerned citizens, initiated a planning process for the development of a Public Art Master Plan. Working with it's advisors, the BCA developed an initial plan that guided Atlanta through the 1996 Olympic Games and the installation of a number of new projects.
In 1999, a task force was convened to review and update the Public Art Master Plan (PAMP) and a revised PAMP was adopted by the City in 2001.

In 2008 an amended ordinance was adopted by the City of Atlanta to clarifying the set aside for the percent for art
 

Mission

The Office of Cultural Affairs Public Art Program operates on the premise that art enhances the quality of life for our citizens by encouraging a heightened sense of place, increasing our community's prestige and enlivening the visual quality of Atlanta's built environment. The program promotes a public initiative of outreach and education while working to preserve the city's cultural heritage.

The OCA/PAP is committed to creating community through public art and builds upon community support to conserve, preserve and make available public art to citizens and visitors in Atlanta.