FAQ'S

What is public art?

For the purposes of the Master Plan for Public Art in Reston, we are currently defining public art as temporary or permanent elements of a public space that are designed by an artist or artist team, that reflect an awareness of and enrich the site, and whose selection generally involves the community and visual arts professionals. Public art includes sculptures, murals, mosaics, fountains, memorials, monuments, lighting, seating, manhole covers, paving patterns, building façades, civic gateways, and playgrounds.

What public art is there in Reston already?

Public art has been an integral part of Reston's history. At the inception of Lake Anne Village, sculptor Gonzalo Fonseca and architect James S. Rossant created play settings and whimsical sculpture at Washington Plaza and the North Shore Drive underpass at Lake Anne Village that still delight people today. The public spaces of Reston Town Center are anchored by the Mercury Fountain, by sculptor Saint Clair Cemin.

Why does Reston need a public art master plan?

The master planning process was a way of engaging the community in a discussion about how public art that can enhance Reston. From this process, the plan now describes how new public artworks can be grounded in the principles that have made the community successful, and be part of the transformations that the community is experiencing.

What DOES the master plan include?

Reston's Public Art master plan outlines a vision for public art in Reston, key opportunities for new projects, and an action plan for success. The vision and goals address why public art is important to Reston, and what public art can accomplish. The plan also includes recommendations for projects, suggestions about how to fund the projects, and descriptions of the roles different organizations play in helping make Reston's public art ambitions successful.

The plan does not include specific concepts or designs for artworks or recommendations for artists. These issues (artist selection, concept design) will be addressed on a project-by-project basis.

Who approveD the public art master plan?

We sought the endorsement of the civic leadership of Reston - particularly the boards of the organizations that are supporters of IPAR. We worked with those organizations to make certain their constituents - residents, businesses, developers, artists - are engaged in the planning process. The Master Plan for Public Art was adopted in December 2008 and as a result Reston is the first non incorporated community in the country to have adopted a public art master plan.

Where will artworks be located?

That has been decided by the community by participating in the public art master plan development. The planning process has engaged all segments of the Reston community in a discussion about how public art can enrich community life and spirit, and about places that could be enhanced by artworks.

Who will pay for public art?

There are a wide range of ideas and possibilities for funding pblic art, and for funding public art in Reston. Most likely, community organizations, private developers, individual benefactors and government agencies will be asked to play a role in funding. Partnerships among these different segments of the community will be important to a successful public art initiative. In addition, a Fundraising Committee has been set up to address this issue.