Germantown Public Art Master Plan

Germantown, Tennessee

WHY

The City of Germantown has a strong history of commitment to the arts, with a 28-year investment in the renowned Germantown Performing Arts Center. The city was committed to developing a strong public art program to accompany its performing arts program, housed within the Performing Arts Center under the advisement of the Public Arts Commission. The City was awarded an Our Town Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to develop a Public Art Master Plan in 2019.

HOW

Work began on the plan in December of 2019. In March of 2020, the team was poised to launch a public engagement cart that would appear at all of the festivals and events throughout the spring and summer season. Within one week of launch, however, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of in-person events. The team shifted immediately into engaging the community in a socially distant, creative, and safe way, by mailing a postcard to every household in the city. The postcard asked each family member to consider what makes Germantown special. They were asked to select a quality and decorate a heart to display in their window so pedestrians could see it and feel joy and connection. The community participated in full force and used the hearts as a way to celebrate their strength as a community.

WHAT

The Plan was completed in December of 2020. Its development has helped the community identify several specific program goals, such as enhancing community character, pursuing excellence in public art, contributing to community vitality, valuing artists and their process, and using resources wisely.

COLLABORATORS

Cat Pena