Placing art in public spaces
Enhancing the vibrant culture and natural beauty of Bainbridge Island and inspiring communal conversation and individual contemplation through art in public spaces is the mission of AHB’s
Public Art Committee (PAC).
Bainbridge Island is home to many thriving cultural institutions and a great many artists. The Public Art Program is part of the City of Bainbridge Island’s ongoing support and investment in the community, as well as citizen artists. The City’s Comprehensive Plan, and specifically the Cultural Element recognizes that the arts contribute significantly to its identity, its sense of place, and its economy.
To learn more about the public art on Bainbridge Island, visit. CurrentsOnline.com/public-art
To keep up with local happenings regarding
Bainbridge Island’s public art program follow
Bainbridge Public Art on instagram!
About the Public Art Program
Vision
In 2016 the City of Bainbridge Island revised its comprehensive plan to include a Cultural Vision for the next twenty years. In this plan, it stated that the arts and humanities are an integral part of the community
fabric and contribute to the economic vitality, community character, livability and quality of life of the island.
Mission
The mission of the public art program is to enhance the natural beauty of the island, foster diversity and inclusion, inspire contemplation, create community, and build a vibrant culture for locals and visitors alike through free access to art in public spaces.
Funding
The City includes funding for the arts and humanities in its biennial budget. In 2019 the City amended Ordinance 3.80 that created the Public Arts Works Program and Fund to allow $50,000 per year to be directed to the Public Art Fund. The City Council approves all expenditures and the City Finance Director administers the funds. Today, the City’s portfolio of public art is valued at more than $350,000 and includes more than 25 permanent pieces of art, in addition to rotating or temporary exhibition programs.
Staffing
The Public Art Program is managed by the Public Art Committee (PAC) and receives administrative support from the nonprofit Arts Humanities Bainbridge (AHB) paid through the Public Art Fund. AHB supports PAC by providing administrative functions, marketing and communications, collection maintenance and liaison work between artists, City staff and City Council. PAC members are citizen volunteers chosen from the community and appointed by AHB. They include local artists, designers, landscape architects, photographers and other creative people with a passion for public art. Under the City’s Cultural Element Goals, PAC is responsible for proposing new works and public art programs, assisting with design and installations, partnering with both private and public
agencies, reviewing donations of artwork and providing stewardship of the city’s portfolio.
To view a list of the COBI public art permanent collection, click here.
To learn more about the public art on Bainbridge Island, visit. CurrentsOnline.com/public-art
Public Art Committee
The Public Art Committee (PAC) is a group of volunteers dedicated to enhancing public space through access to public art. The committee members are recruited by Arts & Humanities Bainbridge (AHB) for their artistic, cultural, or community knowledge.
PAC is responsible for proposing new works and programs to the City Council, assisting with design and implementation of installations, and advising the City on maintenance of the existing collection. AHB provides administrative support including press, community engagement, project management, grant applications and coordination with the City. AHB also consults with PAC to provide advisory services for a fee to private entities for placement of art in public spaces.
2021 Public Art Committee members
Steve Rabago (chair), Susan Arens, Patty Bell, Grace Harris, Sarah D. King, Andy Navage, Shawn Parks, Amy Roberts, Peter Raffa, Debra Ruzinsky, Anne Smart, and Denise Stoughton
Interested in volunteering as a committee or jury member?
Contact: Steve Rabago.
Something New: An Ephemeral Art Exhibition
The Something New project debuted in downtown Winslow in 2018. The project brought a collection of sculptures to outdoor sites around Winslow for a yearlong exhibition. New pieces are selected and rotated into these permanent locations annually, bringing “something new” to Bainbridge Island year after year.
Something New 2021
Arts and Humanities Bainbridge (AHB), Public Art Committee (PAC) and the City of Bainbridge Island (COBI) invited all local and Washington State artists to submit their artwork for Something New Phase III. Three sculptures were selected as part of the Something New III rotating art exhibition for 2020. Each selected artist will receive a $1,000 honorarium with the opportunity to be recognized for a $1,000 People’s Choice Award.
Something New 2020
Fossil II
by Lin McJunkin / Milo White
Shape of Memory by Fumi Amano 
Reflection by Abe singer
Something New 2019
Stargazer by Timm Duffy 
Daphne by Karsten Boysen
Something New 2018
Hand In Hand by Will Robinson 
Three Color Spires by Gerry Newcomb 
Iris Flare by Lin McJunkin & Milo White