Public Art
About the Public Arts Trust
The Public Arts Trust began in 1995 when the public art program was restored by a new law. Chapter 8 of the Montgomery County Code, Article VI Works of Art in Public Architecture, Section 8-45 states: “Each year the County Council should consider appropriating funds for the next fiscal year to the Public Arts Trust in an amount equal to 0.05% of the combined total approved capital expenditures for the then-current fiscal year for County Government, Public Schools, Montgomery College and Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.”
The precursor to the Public Arts Trust began in 1983 when the County Art in Architecture Program mandated that 1% of certain County capital projects be set aside for the acquisition and commissioning of artworks. At the same time, separate public art programs were administered at Montgomery College, Montgomery County Public Schools, and the County parks system. More than 200 works were collected during these programs.
Today, the Public Arts Trust continues to commission site-specific works and supports other public art projects throughout Montgomery County. The Trust is Montgomery County’s central program for managing and commissioning all public art on County-owned property.
Learn more about our conservation and maintenance efforts for the collection here.
Public Art Trust Steering Committee
- Eleanor Choi, Chair – Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County
- Robin Riley – Department of Recreation
- Patricia Shepherd – Department of Transportation
- Greg Ossont – Department of General Services
- Hamid Omidvar – Department of General Services
- Greg Wims – Upcounty Regional Center
- Claudia Rousseau – Montgomery College
- Melissa Williams – Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission
- Nick Holdzcom – Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission
- Patricia McManus – Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission – Parks
- Seth Fariano – Montgomery County Public Schools
- Shelly Williams – City of Gaithersburg
- Betty Wisda – City of Rockville
Public Art Guidelines
Public Art Roadmap
