About Landmarks

38_rubins_monochromeforaustin_photobypaulbardagjy_round2edits_1.jpeg

Image shows steel canoes suspended in the blue sky and held together by wire cantilevers.
photo by Paul Bardagjy

Nancy Rubins, Monochrome for Austin, 2015

 

Works of public art have the capacity to resonate deeply, stimulate curiosity, and inspire the imagination in unexpected ways. At The University of Texas at Austin, the public art collection is one of the most distinguishing features of the main campus, shaping impressions and offering a distinctive setting for memorable experiences.

As the university’s public art program, Landmarks enriches the lives of students and visitors by presenting art that is broadly accessible and free to all. Some fifty works of modern and contemporary art are throughout the 433-acre campus and viewed by thousands of people every day.

For many, the collection provides an introductory opportunity to discover great works of art. By creating equitable pathways to meaningful engagement, Landmarks reflects the complex audiences we serve and celebrates our differences.

Visit soon to discover why Landmarks is a point of pride for the university and all people of the State of Texas.

FAQs

What is Landmarks' Mission and Commitment to Diversity?

Landmarks' Mission

Landmarks inspires thought and growth by presenting public art at The University of Texas at Austin. We believe that great art should be free and accessible to all.

Landmarks' Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

Believing that art fosters personal growth and human connection, Landmarks strives to provide inclusive experiences for all people. We recognize the exclusionism, elitism, and historical imbalance of power in the arts and in higher education. Our work embraces a commitment to self-examination, accountability, and adaptability. By creating equitable opportunities for meaningful engagement with public art, our program reflects the diverse communities we serve and celebrates our differences.

DEIA+E Definitions

Diversity: Welcoming people with varied backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and identities.   

Equity: Recognizing and working to remedy historical, systemic, and hidden inequalities by creating opportunities that are just and fair. 

Inclusivity: Inviting meaningful participation through collaborative and respectful environments. 


Accessibility: Providing pathways that mitigate barriers to engagement. 

Engagement: Building understanding and connection through observation, interpretation, dialogue, and participation. 

Who leads Landmarks?

Landmarks is led by its founding director Andrée Bober, who oversees the development of the collection and a vibrant range of programs that support scholarship and learning. She reports to the dean of the College of Fine Arts and works closely with the Landmarks Advisory Committee, the associate vice president for Facilities Planning & Management, the senior vice president and chief financial officer, the senior vice provost for Resource Management, and the provost.

Who is on Landmarks staff?

Andrée Bober, founding director and curator
Nisa Barger, assistant director for collections
Kathleen Brady Stimpert, deputy director
Frank Bross, collections assistant
Anoush Crane, event coordinator
Kanitra Fletcher, Landmarks Video curator
André (Dré) Fuqua, assistant to the director
Bill Haddad, technology manager
Logan Larsen, digital content coordinator
Dorothy Lin, graphic designer
Maria Nehring, grants manager
Thao Votang, business coordinator
Catherine Whited, education program coordinator
Stephanie Taparauskas, assistant director for development 

Please send an email to Landmarks staff. 

How is public art funded and approved?

Landmarks has its origins in a policy for Art in Public Spaces that was approved by The University of Texas System Office of the General Counsel and the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs in 2005. The policy sets aside 1-2 percent of capital improvement projects to acquire public art and outlines the official review and approval procedures. Ongoing expenses such as conservation and education programs are supported by private contributions.

Which projects participate in the percent-for-art allocation?

In collaboration with the eventual users of the building, the provost, senior vice provost for resource management, and the associate vice president for Facilities Planing & Management determine allocations. Considerations include the degree to which the university is raising construction funds for the project, the overall project budget, and the location and use of the building.

What criteria guide the selections?

A broad range of criteria guide project selections that include, but are not limited to:

  • Artistic merit (quality, condition, rarity, provenance)
  • Quality of presentation in architectural and/or landscape setting
  • Stature of artist in the critical arts community
  • Contribution of artist in diversifying the collection
  • Art historical merit
  • Relevance to art history and other curricula
  • Relation to other works in Landmarks collection
  • Support public art master plan
  • Contribution to cultural environment
  • Feasibility of installation and cost
  • Feasibility of care and maintenance
  • Durability of work
  • Safety and disability standards

Who selects the art?

Each project is reviewed and endorsed by a team of specialists and community stakeholders. Landmarks convenes a standing advisory committee to consider upcoming building projects, evaluate artists for the public art component, and endorse specific proposals. The current advisory committee includes:

How do I propose art on campus?

Landmarks oversees works of art in its collection, but does not manage all public art or creative projects on the university's campus. Proposals for public art and other creative projects are evaluated by the Committee for the Review of Art (CRA). To help facilitate approvals, the CRA provides the following guidelines:

Understanding Creative Projects
https://landmarks.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/cra_policy_understanding-creative-projects.pdf

Proposal Guidelines for Creative Projects
https://landmarks.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/cra_policy_proposal-guidelines.pdf

Checklist for Permanent Creative Projects
https://landmarks.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/cra_policy_project-checklist.pdf

Checklist for Temporary Creative Projects
https://landmarks.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/cra_policy_temp-project-checklist.pdf

What is the Public Art Master Plan?

Peter Walker Partners created a Public Art Master Plan (pdf) to ensure a comprehensive approach to building a collection of public art. The plan corresponds to the 1999 César Pelli Campus Master Plan and it serves to guide overall public art acquisition and placement. Among many considerations, it proposes the best locations for installations of public art to provide visual anchors at gateways, to accentuate main axis corridors, and to delineate architectural edges.

Why is commercial photography not permitted?

The University of Texas at Austin and its affiliates enjoy a limited right to reproduce images of Landmarks’ projects for educational and promotional purposes. The university does not own the copyright to these works and it may not reproduce these images for commercial purposes. Any party who seeks to reproduce art in the Landmarks collection for commercial gain must first obtain permission from the copyright holder, which typically belongs to the artist or the artist’s estate.

How can students and faculty get involved?

Beyond visiting the works of art and learning about them, students may support Landmarks by volunteering their time and expertise as a Landmarks Docent or member of the Landmarks Preservation Guild. Faculty members are encouraged to include Landmarks projects in curricula and schedule class tours.