Public Art in Olympia

Experience It!

Background

In 1990, the City of Olympia passed an ordinance designating that one dollar per person and one percent of major City construction projects be set aside for public art. Projects range from small local artist projects in neighborhood parks to major installations and design teams.

In 1998, the Olympia Arts Commission created a long-range plan for public art in Olympia. The vision for the future states:

"We envision a public art program that is inspiring-thought provoking and functional, inclusive and diverse. We envision a public art program that is woven into the community and our daily lives-our neighborhoods, parks, buildings, infrastructure and public spaces. We invite all segments of our community to work with the City to sustain the current vitality of the arts and embrace new challenges".

Viewing

The City of Olympia is host to more than 80 City, State and privately owned works of public art. The majority of pieces are easily accessible for viewing by the public*.

• Guided and Self-Guided Walking Tours 
• View Olympia's Public Art Collection Online 

Contact Us

For more information about Olympia's public art collection and for artist opportunities,  

City of Olympia Arts Program
222 Columbia St. NW
Olympia, WA 98501

sjohnso1@ci.olympia.wa.us

To learn more about works of art owned by the State of Washington, visit www.arts.wa.gov/.

*Pieces within Olympia's public art collection may not be available for public viewing at all times.