Public art has enabled people in all societies to understand better their communities and individual lives. The City of Baltimore, named the “Monumental City” over 175 years ago, wishes to expand public experience with visual art by creating a public artwork program that:encourages the direct commission of artwork for municipally supported projects; and engages the individual and collective imagination of artists who create artwork for public places. To that end, it is intended that:the public artwork program encompass the broadest possible range and variety of expression, media, and materials; and selections of artists and artwork reflect a standard of excellence and the cultural and ethnic diversity of the City. Ord. 07-489

In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated. “Artwork allocation” means the amount required by <cite data-path="|5|§21-16">§ 21-16 of this subtitle</cite> to be allocated to artwork. “Artwork” means works of art that are:produced by professional visual artists; and affixed to, made a functional part of, or sited in, on, or near a public work. “Bid” means a response to:an invitation to bid; or a request for proposals. “Commission” means the Public Art Commission . “Construction costs” means, except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the total appropriation for a construction project. “Construction costs” includes:demolition costs; and equipment costs. “Construction costs” does not include:real property acquisition costs; soil remediation costs; or architectural or engineering fees. “Construction project” or “project” means, except as otherwise provided in this subsection, any capital improvement project that:involves the construction, reconstruction, or renovation of all or part of any publicly-owned property in the City, including any building, parking facility, park, utility, bridge, street, highway, footway, bikeway, or other structure or public work; exceeds $100,000 in construction costs; is required by law to be publicly bid; and is to be paid for wholly or in part by the City. “Eligible funds” means any funds that are available for construction costs and are not precluded by restrictions on the source of funding for the project, including limitations on the use of City bond funds, state or federal grants or loans, or donations, from being used for artwork. “Maintenance of artwork” means the maintenance, preservation, and conservation of, including curatorial services for, artwork owned by the City, whether created under this subtitle or otherwise obtained. Ord. 07-489 Ord. 22-125