The Public Arts Advisory Commission is made up of seven members who are appointed by the mayor to serve four-year terms. The commission advises the City on the selection and installation of public art throughout the city.   

The Commission meets the fourth Thursday of each month at 5:30pm in the West Des Moines City Council Chambers located at 4200 Mills Civic Parkway.

If you are interested in serving as a Public Arts Advisory Commission member, you may request an application from the City Clerk’s office located in City Hall, 4200 Mills Civic Parkway in West Des Moines, or download the form here.  

Click here to view the complete Public Art Master Plan

History, Vision, & Mission of the Public Arts Commission

History of the City of West Des Moines Public Arts Advisory Commission
In 2008, the West Parks Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting the West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department, hired public art consultant Jerry Allen to develop a Public Art Program Plan for the City of West Des Moines (“City”). This extensive plan provided fundamental elements used in this Public Art Master Plan.

In 2011, the City established a Public Arts Advisory Commission (“Commission”) to advise and assist the West Des Moines City Council in the promotion of public art within the city’s physical environment and public spaces. At the same time, an ordinance was passed to direct public arts and provide for funding of a public arts program. (For additional information on service terms, organization, qualifications, powers and duties, and direction of the public arts program reference Ordinance 1903, 1-24-2011 and Ordinance 1904, 1-24-2011.)

In 2014, the Commission contracted Lynette Pohlman, Associate Professor, Art and Visual Culture, Iowa State University, to meet with the Commission; develop an abbreviated Public Art Master Plan that condensed the policies, guidelines, and procedures included in the 2008 Plan; identify priority public art sites; and make recommendations for initial public art projects.

In 2020, the Commission retained the services of Funding Solutions, Inc. to facilitate two strategic planning sessions to review goals and objectives from the 2014 Public Art Master Plan and to identify new priorities. The results of these strategic planning sessions were used to update the Public Art Master Plan for the next five years (2023-2027).

Vision
The vision of the West Moines Public Art Program is the creation of a diverse collection of public works of art of high aesthetic and intellectual quality and excellence along with a program that promotes cultural expression and artistic appreciation. At the heart of the aspiration for public art in West Des Moines is the wish for an authentic, rich, and diverse arts culture that is seen and understood as uniquely arising from the community – an arts culture that benefits and enriches all those who live in, work in, and visit West Des Moines.

Mission
The mission of the West Des Moines Public Art Program is to create a city with enriching public spaces incorporating public works of art that offer moments of discovery and opportunities for reflection and growth--a city with public art woven into the fine grain detail of the public infrastructure. The Public Art Program champions excellence in art, design, architecture, and landscape. The Public Art Program and Collection should be the most visible symbols of West Des Moines’ commitment to creativity, diversity of ideas and expression and socio-cultural multiplicity. A creative city provides inclusive and equitable environments for its residents, business communities and visitors, extending opportunities for life-long learning and community connection.

Commission Members

For more information on the Public Arts Advisory Commission, please call the West Des Moines Parks & Recreation Department at 515-222-3444 or email parkrec@wdm.iowa.gov

Public Art Selection Work Groups

The Public Art Advisory Commission seeks community members to serve on work groups which help select new permanent and temporary exhibits in West Des Moines. Are you or someone you know interested in serving on a Public Art Work Group? Learn more here.

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