Manhole cover art project

The Ann Arbor Art Center is calling for submissions for original art that will be cast onto manhole covers throughout the City of Ann Arbor. The installations will take place over an approximate six year period and will include three publicly selected designs.

Contracted by the City of Ann Arbor to format and guide a selection process that includes a high level of public engagement, the Art Center invites and encourages artists of all skill levels and ages to submit designs. Submitted designs will be assessed on a wide range of criteria including aesthetics, feasibility of design to be produced in cast iron, and fidelity to the community values and attributes of Ann Arbor. The public will choose three finalists via online polling sometime in February or March 2018. The three final winners will receive a stipend of $1000 from the City of Ann Arbor.

The submission period opened December 2, 2017 and closes December 23, 2017. Because this project is funded with public monies, the submission process is open to all ages and is not limited to geographic area. Designs submitted will be reviewed, for suitability and feasibility, by an advisory committee of professional artists, community stakeholders and business leaders, and also representatives of the City and the manhole fabricator. Following that review, and pending approval from the City, a recommendation of 4-6 semi-finalists will be subject to the public polling. The three winners will be announced in February or March 2018.

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The Public Art Commission and City staff are focusing on current projects approved by City Council and ensuring those projects are completed. 

Public artwork

The City of Ann Arbor has installed a number of public art pieces throughout the city. 

• Arbor Sapientiae (Hanover Square)
• Arbor Winds (East Stadium Bridge)
• Arch (Sculpture Plaza Park)
  
• Birds of the Huron (Manchester Water Tower)
• Frames Mosaic (Fourth and Washington parking structure)
  
• Nourishing Healthy Seeds (Allmendinger Park)
• Radius (Ann Arbor Justice Center lobby)
• TreeForms (West Park)
• Twilight Shadows (Larcom City Hall) 
• Untitled mosaic (Fourth and Washington parking structure)
  
• Untitled water fountain (Municipal Center Plaza)
  
• Urban Configurations (Fourth and Washington parking structure)

Get involved

Support local art projects with a donation, help to organize a neighborhood public art project, volunteer to serve on an AAPAC sub-committee or offer suggestions for public art themes and locations.  If you'd like to suggest location, or concept, ideas for public art that the city could commission, please send an email to vharrison@a2gov.org​ or write to us at:​

Ann Arbor Public Art Commission

The Ann Arbor Public Art Commission is an advisory body to the City Council with the goal to improve the esthetic quality of public spaces, provide cultural opportunities, contribute to local heritage, and promote the general welfare of our community. We welcome ideas and projects that serve those goals. We are not a source of funding and any proposed project should address the plan for funding. However, we can provide visibility and feedback for proposals submitted and, if municipal space is a part of your project, city ordinance requires you to seek our recommendations first. AAPAC  meetings are open to the public; agendas and minutes for the Public Art Commission are stored on the Legistar Calendar.  

Contact information

Ann Arbor Public Art Commission
City of Ann Arbor
Public Services Admin - City Hall 6th Floor
301 E. Huron Street, PO Box 8647
Ann Arbor, MI 48107

734.794.6310 x43102
Fax: 734.994.1816

AAPAC Commissioners

Chip Smith, City Council Liaison

John Kotarski, Chair, Educator

Allison Buck, Vice Chair, Operations Manager

Connie Brown, Designer

Colleen Crawley, Designer

David Esau, Architect

Robert Miller, Realtor & Builder​

Patti Smith, Special Education Teacher

David Zinn, Artist