Chandler has a long-standing commitment to high standards in creating and preserving safe, beautiful and vibrant neighborhoods and public spaces. Through the Council’s Strategic Framework a renewed focus on arts and culture was born, resulting in projects that incorporated innovative elements to re-imagine spaces.
One focus area for installing public art was Downtown. The projects implemented blend history with new development, promote walkability throughout the Downtown and add vibrancy to underutilized spaces to create a destination for visitors, businesses and residents. It serves as a reminder and celebration of both our past and our future as the Community of Innovation.
Public art helps shape the character of a community. It fosters pride, creates a sense of place and makes communities more inviting. We are focused not only on aesthetics but using public art in functional ways. We are using art to connect developments and neighborhoods and to increase mobility. For example, through thoughtful planning we have created a pathway for patrons to walk from the north end of Downtown to the new developments in the south without having to utilize the main road. To promote usage of this pathway murals were used to turn blighted alleys and breezeways into vibrant and inviting spaces and other public art pieces, like the selfie station on Chicago, were installed as destination pieces to visit along the route.
These, and many other public art pieces, can be enjoyed in-person or digitally through the City’s Interactive Art Tour.