The Value and Impact of Public Art
Published on July 08, 2025
By Elizabeth Brincklow
City of Dunedin Arts Consultant
Public art is for everyone. It draws together our diverse community and expresses Dunedin’s uniqueness, culture, and identity. Dunedin is creative, vibrant, and innovative. These features share in the care and feeding of the city’s existing artworks while the community engages to commission, purchase and acquire new works. The value of public art is measured in our quality of life, enrichment, and economic and aesthetic development.
Like the 2018 American for the Arts & Economic Prosperity Report, the 2023 Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) is an economic and social impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry. In Pinellas County, the sector generated $294.7 million in economic activity during 2022—$126.8 million in spending by arts and culture organizations and an additional $167.9 million in event-related expenditures by their audiences. That economic activity supported 4,528 jobs, provided $185.3 million in personal income to residents, and generated $58.9 million in tax revenue to local, state, and federal governments.
Communities across Tampa Bay attract residents and travelers who enjoy visiting, living, and spending time in communities vibrant with public art. Dunedin’s Public Art Master Plan and Ordinance was adopted by the City Commission in December 2018, formalizing a way forward with a distinct mission, guidelines, and process to maintain funding of public projects through development permitting fees. The Plan’s impact is felt with new and varied artworks appearing throughout the City. Every artwork has a monetary value of its own which can appreciate over time.
Since 2018, eight (8) municipal projects have been completed. From 2022 - 2024, thirteen (13) additional projects were completed and installed in the city’s public art collection for a total number of thirty-seven (37) artworks. The artwork can be located using the City’s Art Map or by viewing information on the Public Art Project Page. Four additional projects are currently in varying stages of process.
The Public Art program in Dunedin creates a positive impact on our local economy by attracting residents and guests to our City, through support of artists by commission or purchase of unique art pieces, and recognition and appreciation of contributing artists to sustain and retain both established and emerging artists. All of the unique Dunedin artworks, both public and private, enhance living, working, and visiting Dunedin along with our lively downtown, waterfront views, and access to recreation. Public art is indeed for everyone.