20260212_WSS_4C_PRESENTATION.PDF

Tempe Public Art 
Plan
Tempe City Council Work Study Session
February 12, 2026

Strategic Priorities / Performance Measure
• 3.17 Quality of Community Services Programs
2

Presentation Overview
• Review Public Engagement Input
• Highlight Current Public Art Inventory
• Vision for the Future of Public Art
• Objectives and Strategies
3

Public Art in Tempe
• Cultivates a unique community identity that 
advances Tempe as a vibrant and 
progressive destination
• Complements the natural and built 
environment through innovative place-making 
and installations and infrastructure 
enhancements
• Promotes artistic expression which brings 
people together to strengthen Tempe's sense 
of community and place
4

TEMPE
PUBLIC ART PLAN
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INTRODUCTION
OVERVIEW
•
12 Employees
•
Based In Columbus, Ohio
•
Certified Woman-owned Business Enterprise
EXPERIENCE
•
10 Years in Business
•
20+ States
•
50+ Public Art Plans
EXPERTISE
•
Arts & Culture Planning
•
Historic Preservation
•
Community Planning
•
Public Engagement
•
Landscape Architecture
AN AWARD-WINNING, 
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED 
FIRM THAT HAS HELPED 
MORE THAN 50 US 
COMMUNITIES CREATE 
VIBRANT, ENGAGING, AND 
AUTHENTIC PLACES.
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ENGAGEMENT
ENGAGEMENT 
METHODS
Public Meetings 
- Event at Eisendrath House, Public Open House at TCA, 
Public Open House at Tempe History Museum, Two Virtual Public 
Meetings
Event Tabling 
- 7 events, 2 pop-ups, engaged 1000+ people
Community Survey
- initial open 4 months, engaged 500+ people, second to 
collect feedback on the draft plan, engaged 60+ people
Focus Groups
- 6 events, engaged 30+ people
Stakeholder 1-on-1s 
- 20 conversations
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ENGAGEMENT 
MAJOR TAKEAWAYS
REFLECT TEMPE'S 
IDENTITY
INTEGRATE ART INTO DAILY 
LIFE
INTERACTIVE AND ENGAGING
EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION
SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISTS
ADDRESSING CHALLENGES 
AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
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Create moments of 
surprise, wonder and 
playfulness in people’s 
everyday experience, 
reflecting the fun and 
eclectic “Tempe vibe”
Connect people to Tempe’s 
natural and urban systems –
water, light and color; public 
spaces, facilities & 
infrastructure, 
transportation
Convey the many stories and 
dimensions of Tempe’s 
history and culture, as
well as residents’ profound
connection to the place
Provide pathways for 
Tempe’s artists to explore 
their practices through 
public art projects
The Tempe Public Art Program Aspires to:
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VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Public Art Program of the Future
Ensure the program’s 
sustainability into the 
future.
Taking it to the next 
level.
Get the most out of 
our resources.
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VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Public Art Program Curatorial Framework
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Surprise and innovation.
Local history and cultural 
heritage.
Indigenous traditions and 
visions.
Sonoran environment.
VISION FOR THE FUTURE

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VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Public Art Program Objectives
Strengthen 
Tempe's sense of 
place and 
connectivity using 
public art
1
●
Location Strategy 1.1
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Location Strategy 1.2
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Location Strategy 1.3
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Location Strategy 1.4
Ensure that Public 
Art is 
geographically 
widespread 
throughout Tempe
2
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Strategy 2.1
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Strategy 2.2
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Strategy 2.3
Foster an 
innovative 
program that 
levels up local 
public art
3
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Strategy 3.1
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Strategy 3.2
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Strategy 3.3
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Strategy 3.4
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Strategy 3.5
Document, refine, 
and formalize 
existing 
procedures
4
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Strategy 4.1
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Strategy 4.2
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Strategy 4.3
Enhance the 
Existing AIPD 
Program
5
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Strategy 5.1
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Strategy 5.2
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Strategy 5.3
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Strategy 5.4
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Strategy 5.5
Strengthen 
collection 
management to 
ensure a well 
maintained and 
long-lasting public 
art collection
6
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Strategy 6.1
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Strategy 6.2
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Strategy 6.3
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Strategy 6.4

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Objective 1: Strengthen Tempe's Sense of 
Place and Connectivity Using Public Art
PUBLIC ART STRATEGIES
Location Strategy 1.1: Civic Spaces and City Facilities
Location Strategy 1.2: Trails and Greenways
Location Strategy 1.3: Neighborhood and Regional Parks
Location Strategy 1.4: Transportation and Other City Infrastructure
Clark Park Recreation Facility
Crosscut Canal Multiuse Path
Indian Bend Park
McClintock Underpass at Rio Salado

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Objective 2: Ensure That Public Art is 
Geographically Widespread Throughout Tempe
PUBLIC ART STRATEGIES
Strategy 2.1: Regularly Update Walkshed Maps to Help Inform Site 
Identification and Project Prioritization
Strategy 2.2: Undertake Mapping of CIP Infrastructure Projects to Help 
Prioritize New Projects in Areas Lacking Public Art Access
Strategy 2.3: Encourage Neighborhood Grant Applications by HOAs

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Objective 3: Foster an Innovative Program that 
Levels Up Local Public Art
PUBLIC ART STRATEGIES
Strategy 3.1: Advance Signature Projects
Strategy 3.2: Undertake a Curatorial Approach to Integrating Public Art 
Into Infrastructure
Strategy 3.3: Explore Ways to Undertake Mentorship of Public Artists
Strategy 3.4: Focus On Being a Launch Point for Early- and Mid-career 
Artists
Strategy 3.5: Provide Education to Improve Business Practices With 
Artists
Locations: Ash and 3rd street utility box (top), north side of 
Tempe Town Lake (middle); Escalante youth room (bottom)

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Objective 4: Document, Refine, and 
Formalize Existing Procedures
PUBLIC ART STRATEGIES
Strategy 4.1: Formalize the Annual Work Plan Development Process
Strategy 4.2: Maintain Principles and Criteria for Project Prioritization
Strategy 4.3: Adopt Public Art Guidelines & Procedures
Country Club Way Multiuse Path

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Objective 5: Enhance the Existing AIPD (Art in 
Private Development) Program
PUBLIC ART STRATEGIES
Strategy 5.1: Improving Tracking and Recordkeeping for AIPD Projects
Strategy 5.2: Expand the AIPD Program to Mixed-Use Buildings
Strategy 5.3: Strengthen AIPD Public Art Outcomes
Strategy 5.4: Incentivize Developers to Contribute to Municipal Art Fund
Strategy 5.5: Partner with Code Compliance to Ensure Proper          
Documentation & Maintenance
Chase Manhattan Plaza, Mill Avenue District

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Objective 6: Strengthen Collection 
Management to Ensure a Well Maintained 
and Long-lasting Public Art Collection
PUBLIC ART STRATEGIES
Strategy 6.1: Yearly Deaccession Committee
Strategy 6.2: Consider Larger Set Asides for Conservation and 
Maintenance
Strategy 6.3: Collection Assessment
Strategy 6.4: Hire Collection Management Staff
Alegre Park

Public Art Plan
Questions 
or 
Comments?
Library campus, along Southern in front of The History Museum