Sandusky Public Art and Placemaking Plan

Sandusky Public Art and Placemaking Plan

Sandusky, Ohio

Why

The City of Sandusky is one of Ohio’s hidden gems that is seeing a significant amount of new investment and cutting-edge planning. Seeing an opportunity to increase attachment to place and to draw new tourists, the City of Sandusky passed a public art ordinance in January of 2018 guaranteeing funding for public art through a 1% allocation of their general fund.

In an effort to invest the newly earmarked public art dollars responsibly, the City set out to complete a Public Art and Placemaking Plan. The plan directs spending to high priority projects and creates the needed infrastructure for administering a robust public art program.

How

Designing Local organized extensive stakeholder engagement and a public art popsicle pop up to kickoff the planning process. Participants were asked their vision for public art in the City and were asked to think about potential transformative projects.

The team hosted several additional meetings to co-create ideas for the City’s first projects that will be a result of the planning process. In addition to developing placemaking strategies, the team trained the newly formed Public Art and Cultural commission on procurement process for public art, the policy for maintenance and collection management, and donations.

What

The Sandusky Public Art and Placemaking Plan offers the City an opportunity to inspire elected officials and to create public art strategies that are uniquely Sandusky. By creating a framework for public art well into the future, the city can both execute projects that were conceptualized as well respond to opportunities as they arise. With an efficient and effective process for public art, the City of Sandusky has the tools to ensure a successful program well into the future.