Montpelier Public Art Master Plan

Montpelier, Vermont

WHY

When the City of Montpelier, Vermont began collaborating with a private developer for a redevelopment project, they wanted to pursue an innovative approach. The project, supported by local, state, and federal funds, was Montpelier’s largest private-to-public development in 30 years. One Taylor Street, which is being called the new gateway to Montpelier, has catalyzed other design and community development projects. The city was awarded an Our Town grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to express community values and vision through public art at One Taylor Street.

HOW

The centerpiece of the planning process was a series of five creative visioning workshops led by teaching artists from different disciplines. These hands-on workshops were led by community members to express their vision for how art can enhance community and sense of place. Each workshop was capped off by a public event to exhibit the creative visioning works, with audience reflection time to gather input for the master plan.

WHAT

The creative visioning workshops culminated in a Master Plan and the installation of Montpelier’s first major city-funded public art work. The artwork — done by a Vermont artist and selected by a jury — was installed at the One Taylor Street Redevelopment Project in 2019.