the power of public art
Learn about Edmonton's Public Art Collection
The public art that fills our communities has the power to pull you in for a closer look, and drive your own imagination forward. It shows you the world in a new light. Broadening horizons, shifting perspectives, sparking discussion, and bringing new, dynamic energy to our already vibrant and thriving cityscape. Edmonton, this is your Public Art Collection!
how it began
Although the roots of the collection can be traced to 1957, the adoption of the first Public Art Policy in 1991 led to the creation of the official City of Edmonton Public Art Collection. Today, the Public Art Collection boasts more than 280 artworks by over 300 local, regional, national, and international artists.
By investing in public art, the City of Edmonton supports the local economy and helps build an attractive, healthy, and thriving city where creative spaces emerge and art, design, and culture flourish.
The City of Edmonton Public Art Collection Online Gallery showcases Edmonton’s diverse public art.
Edmonton's Public Art Policy
The Edmonton Arts Council administers the City of Edmonton’s Public Art Policy and advises the City of Edmonton on public art initiatives. Edmonton’s Public Art Policy emphasizes the principles of public visibility and accessibility, diversity and inclusion, public art appreciation, and city-wide impact.
Read the policy
ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞ Edmonton's Indigenous Art Park
ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW), pronounced (EE-NU) is a Cree word meaning “I am of the Earth.” The Art Park is situated on ancestral lands of the Indigenous peoples whose descendants entered into Treaty with the British Crown resulting in the territory opening for settlement. River Lot 11 acknowledges the historic river lot originally home to Métis landowner Joseph McDonald. The park is located within Queen Elizabeth Park in Edmonton’s North Saskatchewan River Valley.
The City of Edmonton, Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, Métis Nation of Alberta, Edmonton Arts Council and Indigenous artists and community members partnered to develop the Indigenous Art Park. The park features six artworks by Canadian Indigenous artists.
The artists created artworks that “tell the story of this place.” They are: iskotew — Amy Malbeuf (Rich Lake, Alberta), pehonan — Tiffany Shaw-Collinge (Edmonton, Alberta), mikikwan — Duane Linklater (Moose Cree First Nation, Ontario), mamohkamatowin (Helping Each Other) — Jerry Whitehead (James Smith First Nation, Saskatchewan), Reign — Mary Anne Barkhouse (Nimpkish Band, Kwakiutl First Nation), and Preparing to Cross the Sacred River — Marianne Nicolson (Dzawada’enuxw Nation). The Indigenous Art Park was curated by Candice Hopkins (Carcross Tagish First Nation, Gaanax.âdi clan) — noted curator, scholar and artist.
edmonton city hall art guide
Edmonton’s City Hall is home to a diverse and intriguing art collection. Located inside and outside the building, the artworks demonstrate a broad range of mediums and genres, created by Edmonton and Alberta-based artists. Paintings, sculptures, photography, printmaking, textile, and other art forms can be found in the collection.
Many of the artworks were acquired as commissions or direct purchases for the opening of City Hall under the City of Edmonton’s Percent for Art Policy, implemented in 1991. Others like The Migrants, predate the policy and were featured at the “old City Hall.” More recent artworks were special commissions or gifts to the collection.
This guide was designed in 2017 to help visitors find each artwork. A new guide is in development to include recent additions to the City Hall collection. The public art section of our website contains information about these new works, and other artworks, as well as artists in the collection.
current opportunity
Request for Qualifications: Soccer Centre Murals Public Art Project
Deadline for Request for Qualifications: 11:59 AM MST on Monday, April 22, 2024
Artwork commission budget: $30,000
The Edmonton Arts Council (EAC), on behalf of the City of Edmonton, is seeking a local artist/artist team to create five artworks to be printed on vinyl and installed on three soccer centres around Edmonton. Emerging artists, Indigenous artists and artists from equity-seeking backgrounds are encouraged to apply.