About the Public Art Archive

Colorful abstract mural painted on a building outside by a pool with colorful random shapes on the floor.

untitled [Heitzman Recreation Center mural by Jessie & Katey (2023). Mural Arts Philadelphia Collection. Courtesy: Steve Weinik

White cloud-like shape sculpture that is hovering over the ground where people can stand underneath in an open park.

Chinook Arc (2014). By Joseph O’ Connell and Blessing Hancock. City of Calgary Public Art Program Collection. Courtesy: Creative Machines

A colorful mural of a woman's face is painted on a wall inside a building.

CURIOSIDAD (2020). By Don Rimx. University of Florida’s Art in State Buildings Program Collection. Courtesy: University of Florida’s Art in State Buildings Program

Several florescent blue light posts are placed outside by a highway.

SunFlowers, An Electric Garden (2009). Catellus Development Group Collection. Courtesy: David Newsom

Twenty colorful barrels are placed on top of one another, forming a pyramid outside in the city.

Upriver/Downriver (2015). By Marek Reigelman. City of Louisville, KY Collection. Courtesy: Mark Reigelman

A large silver metal sculpture is placed outside, surrounded by trees and lights.

CURRENT (2020). By Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong. ArtsWestchester, New York State Thruway Authority Collection. Courtesy: Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong

A large dark green sculpture of a man's upper body is placed outside on top of a colorful block.

Wrought, Knit, Labors, Legacies (2020). By Olalekan Jeyifous. City of Alexandria Collection. Courtesy: Laura Hatcher

What is the Public Art Archive?

The Public Art Archive™ (PAA) is a free, continually growing online database of public artworks throughout the U.S. and abroad. The portal is a comprehensive resource providing universal access to discover, explore, and learn more about public art across communities. We invite the public to delve into the complex stories that characterize public artworks as dynamic, interconnected keepers of history, context, and meaning. 

Our mission to make public art more public has guided the program’s growth into the largest active database of public art. The system invites artists and organizations to contribute completed public art projects to the online public engagement portal at no cost. By making all projects discoverable on the world’s largest centralized source of public art information, artists and organizations can increase the accessibility and visibility of public art in every community.

Powered by Creative West (formerly WESTAF), a 50-year-old nonprofit arts service organization, PAA was built to serve and support artists, administrators, consultants, planners, educators, researchers, and audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

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Cultivating Creativity, Connection, and Change in Public Art

Your presence on PAA can increase the visibility and reach of your collection to viewers across the world and help make public art more accessible to all audiences. Here are just some of the ways you can do this by collaborating with PAA:

  • Document public artworks across the globe
  • Provide centralized, free access to information
  • Raise awareness of public art’s significance
  • Showcase diverse works from emerging and seasoned artists
  • Encourage sustained engagement and exploration
  • Preserve the evolving history of public spaces for continued learning

Ask us about our eligibility criteria, which are a key component of PAA’s values-based mission and commitment to inclusiveness and equity.

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Three colorful parrots sitting on top of a floral post outside in a neighborhood.

Exuberant Birds: Parrot Pole (2014). By Lauren Evans and Margaret Lazzari. City of Santa Monica, California Public Art Collection. Courtesy: William Short

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