1406.1 Public art can provide beauty, visual interest, and a source of community pride. It can contribute to cross-cultural understanding and become a source of community dialogue and shared experiences. It also brings economic benefits in the form of tourism and work for artists. While the most familiar forms of public art in the District are its more than 150 commemorative memorials, there are many other examples. Public art includes temporary installations, as well as permanent art forms, such as frescoes and murals. The District's public art represents diverse disciplines and media, reflecting Washington, DC's residents.

1406.2 A large number of U.S. cities and government agencies have adopted policies to make art more visible in the design of public buildings, infrastructure, and even private development. Public art projects create a sense of neighborhood identity and provide a connection to local history and culture. These art projects document, celebrate, and define communities whose stories may once have been overlooked.

1406.3 Art of many genres has played an important role in building the civic culture of the District. From monuments inspired by the Beaux-Arts movement to the evocative murals of Adams Morgan and the Metropolitan Branch Trail, art is an integral and visible part of the cityscape. As the District evolves, it should continue to include public art in all neighborhoods, not only in federal Washington, DC.

1406.4 Since 1986, CAH has maintained the DC Creates Public Art Program that purchases, commissions, and installs artwork for public sites throughout Washington, DC. The program was established by legislation that allocates up to one percent of the District's adjusted capital budget for the commission and acquisition of artwork. Despite this initiative, broader efforts are needed to increase public art communities where it is in short supply.

1406.5 Policy AC-2.1.1: Emphasizing Public Spaces with Art Use public art to strengthen and reflect the District's diversity, including its identity as a local cultural and arts center. Public art should accent locations such as Metro stations, sidewalks, streets, parks, and building lobbies. It should be used in coordination with landscaping, lighting, paving, and signage to create gateways for neighborhoods and communities.

1406.6 Policy AC-2.1.2: Funding Public Art in Capital Improvement Projects Continue to set aside funds from the capital improvement project budget for public art and arts-related improvements. These improvements should enhance publicly-owned buildings with creative and aspirational works of art.

1406.7 Policy AC-2.1.3: Reuse of Vacant or Underutilized Buildings Support the temporary use of commercial buildings that vacant or underused or undergoing redevelopment for cultural exhibition and production, as appropriate.

1406.8 Action AC-2.1.A: Public Art Master Plan Maintain a Public Art Master Plan for the District. The Master Plan sets a vision for public art and basic principles for how public art can be integrated into the District's architecture, gathering places, and natural landscapes.

1406.9 Action AC-2.1.B: Small Parks for Public Art Assessment Assess the feasibility of using small parks that are owned or controlled by the District and federal governments for public art installation locations. The assessment should analyze how any artwork installed in the parks would be curated and maintained.

1406.10 Action AC-2.1.C: Artwork and Cultural Presentation Space in EventsDC Facilities Encourage EventsDC to incorporate significant artwork and space for cultural presentation within any new or significantly renovated facility.

SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).