The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo

About Public Art Inspiring a Positive Sense of Place OverviewToledo, Ohio has an impressive collection of public art, with large-scale sculptures, murals, and functional structures by noted artists from across the country. Many of these pieces were acquired through the pioneering 1977 ordinance that set aside one percent of Toledo's Capital Improvement Budget for the purchase, conservation, and public education of art.The program is administered by The Arts Commission through its Art in Public Places Program, which acquires, conserves and restores the collection. This administration also includes the education of the community related to the understanding and enjoyment of public art.Toledo was the first city in Ohio to adopt a One Percent for Art program. The 1977 ordinance served as a model for Ohio's Percent for Art program, administered by the Ohio Arts Council, which began in 1990.HistoryFounded in 1959 as the City Culture Commission, The Arts Commission compiled the city’s first comprehensive local arts calendar beginning in 1960. By the end of the decade, the organization was brought under the City’s Division of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry to aid in public art investments at Crosby Gardens (now Toledo Botanical Gardens).In 1977 significant legislation passed that cemented The Arts Commission’s role in the community with the founding of the City of Toledo’s One Percent for Art program. Overseen by The Arts Commission’s Art in Public Places Committee, the program allocates a portion of City funds for public art. Toledo’s One Percent for Art program was the first in Ohio, among the first in the nation, and has since served as the adopted model for other regional agencies. It continues to this day and features an impressive collection of public art with work from more than 40 local, national, and international artists installed in nearly every neighborhood in the city. Related Municipal Art Code (PDF) Standard Operating Procedures (PDF) Design Review Board Procedures (PDF) Mural Ordinance (PDF) 2023 MEDIA RELEASES ABCs of Public Art Book Available ‘Upon Reflection (the Sky's the Limit)’ has been awarded a 2023 American Architecture Award Toledo has an impressive collection of public art, with large-scale sculptures, murals, and functional structures by noted artists from across the country. Conservation & MaintenanceThe City of Toledo has charged The Arts Commission with the oversight of its One Percent for Art collection. The Arts Commission through its Art in Public Places (APP) Program maintains and conserves this group of more than 80 original public art works. The APP program utilizes highly skilled maintenance technicians and qualified fine art conservators to complete projects that range from routine washing and waxing to major conservation overhauls. The Arts Commission is proud to serve the City of Toledo in this way and works diligently to ensure the collection remains in the best possible condition. Current Projects Toledo Water Tower The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo’s Art in Public Places Program has partnered with the City of Toledo’s Water Treatment department to commission designs for two new water towers that will be constructed in 2026. A Design Review Board (DRB) plans to select three artists to create a simple design for the horizontal section of the watertower. Learn More Swayne Field The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo’s Art in Public Places Program has partnered with the City of Toledo’s Department of Housing and Community Development to commission a new work of public art that will be integrated into the Swayne Field Shopping Center in the Englewood neighborhood of Toledo OH. Learn More STARBURST As part of Metroparks Toledo’s Watershed Weekend, The Arts Commission brings Art Loop: Starburst to the Glass City Riverwalk for an evening of public art, performances and creativity centered at International Cove, celebrating the debut of the new Riverwalk installation, Starburst. Learn More Inez Nash Park Art in Public Places has partnered with the City of Toledo’s Parks Department to commission a new work of public art integrated into Inez Nash Park. The deadline to submit qualifications has now passed. Learn More Glass City Center The Art in Public Places Committee worked with Lucas County Commissioners, The Collaborative Architects and other stakeholders to commission artwork for the newly renovated Glass City Center. Chaired by founding Art in Public Places member, Susan Reams, this committee has commissioned seven projects in and around the building including the new plaza on Summit Street. Learn More Field of Histories Field of Histories offers a destination for exploring the past, present, and future of glass in Toledo through an immersive public art piece that is integrated into the landscape. The project, located at Glass City Metropark, consists of glass orbs on posts, in which significant objects provided from the community were be scanned and laser engraved inside. Learn More Broadway Street Corridor The Arts Commission, in partnership with City of Toledo Transportation Division, the Broadway Corridor Coalition and the Sofia Quintero Arts and Cultural Center, is commissioning artistically designed infrastructure enhancements for a new construction project along the Broadway Street corridor in the Old South End, Toledo. Learn More The ABC's of Public Art Book & Field Guide As part of continued education efforts The Arts Commission’s Art in Public Places program two new books have been published and are now available for public request and pick up. Both books are available for free to the public as both printed and digital versions. The Art in Public Places Field Guide, designed by Madhouse Creative, features nine zones and over eighty works of art to explore. The ABC’s of Public Art, illustrated by Merrill Rainey, is geared toward ages 3-5 as they follow Artimus the Owl throughout Northwest Ohio from A-Z. This is the second edition of the popular