Art in Public Spaces

BRINGING STUDENT CREATIVITY TO MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS ACROSS POLK COUNTY

What if a visit to City Hall, a parks and recreation office, or another public building became an opportunity to discover and celebrate local artistic talent? That vision is at the heart of the Art in Public Spaces program, a collaborative initiative led by the Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance and Polk Vision that is transforming everyday public spaces into galleries showcasing the creativity of Polk County’s emerging artists.

Designed to increase access to arts and cultural experiences in places where people may not traditionally expect to encounter them, Art in Public Spaces connects residents and visitors with local artwork while creating meaningful opportunities for student artists to gain recognition and exposure.

The program’s Student Art Showcase Initiative originated from an idea by Cody McGhee, Parks and Recreation Supervisor for the City of Auburndale. McGhee envisioned a partnership among municipalities that would support local student artists by displaying their work in public buildings. The concept would not only enhance municipal spaces but also provide young artists with public recognition and financial support for their creative achievements.

To bring the idea to life, organizers worked closely with Nancy Puri, Assistant Director of Fine Arts for Polk County Public Schools, to develop a process that aligned with the district’s existing framework for evaluating and showcasing student artwork. By building upon a system already familiar to local art educators, the program was able to create a streamlined path for student submissions, jury review, and artwork selection.

After receiving strong support during a countywide Parks and Recreation meeting, four Polk County municipalities stepped forward to participate in the inaugural launch of the program:

• • City of Auburndale
  • City of Bartow
  • City of Haines City
  • City of Lake Wales

These communities recognized the value of bringing art into public spaces and creating opportunities for residents to engage with local creativity in their daily lives. Artwork selected through the program is now on display in municipal facilities throughout these cities, allowing thousands of residents and visitors to experience student-created works as part of their regular interactions with local government and community services.

The inaugural showcase features 16 selected student artists whose artworks were chosen for display through the program’s jury process. In recognition of their talent and contribution, each selected artist received an artist stipend, reinforcing the program’s commitment to valuing creative work and supporting the next generation of artists.

The selected pieces, submitted by local schools from Boone Middle School and Bartow Middle School, were reviewed by municipal representatives and community stakeholders before being chosen for exhibition. The artwork has been professionally matted, and framed for installation in participating municipal buildings.

One of the most distinctive features of the Art in Public Spaces program is its countywide approach. Artwork displayed in a particular municipality is not limited to students who live in that community. Instead, the program intentionally introduces artwork from students across Polk County, allowing residents to experience diverse artistic perspectives and helping young artists reach audiences beyond their own neighborhoods.

This approach strengthens connections between communities while showcasing the incredible breadth of artistic talent found throughout Polk County’s schools.

“The Arts in Public Spaces program creates a wonderful sense of community pride by giving us the opportunity to showcase the creativity and talent of students from one of our local schools in Haines City.” said Haines City Communication and Marketing Manager Merissa Green. “What makes this initiative especially meaningful is that it takes art beyond traditional galleries and museums and places it in spaces where people may not expect to encounter it. That accessibility allows more residents and visitors to experience the arts as part of their everyday lives. Art also helps attract people, businesses and investment. When we support the arts, we are investing not only in our artists and students, but in the cultural and economic vitality of our entire community.”

The success of the Student Art Showcase Initiative reflects a strong partnership among several organizations committed to enriching community life through the arts, including Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance, Polk Vision, Polk County Public Schools, Polk Leisure Services Association and participating municipalities across Polk County. Together, these partners have created a sustainable model that ensures the program can continue for years to come. High-quality frames will be reused annually, allowing future investments to focus on new artwork, matting, and installation while expanding exhibition opportunities for additional students.

The Art in Public Spaces program is designed as an annual rotating exhibition. Each year, Polk County art teachers will be invited to submit student artwork through a countywide call for art. Selected pieces will then be professionally prepared and displayed throughout participating municipalities, with new artists featured each year.

What began as a simple idea to brighten public buildings has evolved into a countywide initiative that celebrates student achievement, supports arts education, and makes creativity accessible to everyone. As residents visit municipal buildings in Haines City, Lake Wales, Auburndale, and Bartow, they will encounter more than artwork on a wall. They will experience the imagination, talent, and promise of Polk County’s young artists, proving that inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places.