Ames Public Art Commission

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Ames Public Art Commission

Putting the 'Public' in Public Art The Public Art Commission meets the first Wednesday of each month at 12:00 p.m. in City Hall.

Citizens are appointed to the Public Art Commission by the Mayor for the purpose of establishing public art philosophy and developing a public art plan for the City, monitoring the public art budget and recommending funding allocations for public art within City facilities, developing guidelines for selecting artwork, seeking private and governmental funding for public art, and developing educational, promotional projects for public arts programming.

09/07/2026

🎨 Ames Art Spotlight 🎨
Coral
Tim Adams
Steel
Included in the 2026-2027 AAOSE program
Near Everts

09/02/2026

We ❤️ Public Art!

The Ames Public Art Commission is a group of citizens charged with with establishing a public art philosophy and developing a public art plan for the city, which includes putting on the sculpture exhibition you see on every visit to Downtown Ames.

We currently have one opening on our commission. If you want to contribute to the public arts mission in Ames, please submit an application at https://www.cityofames.org/My-Government/Departments/City-Clerk/Boards-Commissions/Boards-Commissions-Application

08/31/2026

🎨 Ames Art Spotlight 🎨
Art of Heart
Albert Rhea
Steel
Included in the 2026-2027 AAOSE program
City Hall

08/25/2026

🎨 Ames Art Spotlight 🎨
A Big Hello
Craig Snyder
Painted Steel
Donated to City of Ames by Dan and Stacey Culhane, 2026
Main Street and Duff

08/24/2026

CALLING ALL SCULPTURE ARTISTS!

08/19/2026

🎨 CALL FOR ARTISTS: 2027–28 Ames Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition 🎨

The City of Ames Public Art Commission is now accepting entries for the Ames Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition (AAOSE) — a rotating outdoor sculpture exhibit displayed throughout Ames, Iowa.

💰 Honorarium: $2,000 per selected sculpture, plus a $1,000 "Best in Show" award
📅 Entries open: August 15, 2026
⏰ Deadline: November 15, 2026
📍 Location: Ames, Iowa

What to submit:
✅ Completed entry form
✅ Up to 3 sculptures per artist
✅ Up to 5 photos per sculpture (all sides represented)
✅ Artist statement for each entry
✅ Installation & securing instructions

Sculptures must be built for outdoor, public display — durability and safety are key, as pieces will be exposed to weather and public access year-round. The City provides a concrete display pad, insures selected work up to $10,000, and handles installation logistics with the artist.

Selected sculptures may also be considered for permanent City purchase and placement in Ames neighborhoods and parks.

🔗 Apply here (preferred, online form):
https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/5ce7edd4031647818a5c8ebb7012a79a

📄 Full entry guidelines (PDF):
https://www.cityofames.org/files/assets/city/v/1/city-manager/documents/aaose-2027-28.pdf

✉️ Questions? [email protected]

08/13/2026

We're excited to see the recent placement of "TipSee" on the corner of E 9th and Carroll near the ACPC building. The sculpture is part of Ames' Neighborhood Sculpture Program, which allows individuals to apply to have a sculpture from the city's permanent collection displayed in their neighborhoods. If you're interested, please see the application page: https://www.cityofames.org/My-Government/Departments/City-Managers-Office/Public-Art-Commission/Neighborhood-Sculpture-Program

07/07/2026

Come spend your Sunday, July 12, at Reiman Gardens from 9:00 AM –3:00 PM at their annual Garden Art Fair. While you're there, please stop by and vote for your favorite downtown sculpture at the Ames Public Art Commission booth!

06/17/2026

We always enjoy having visitors to participate in our public forum! In May, some Ames High School students attended our meeting as part of an assignment from their government class. Glad to show them an example of local government at work!

06/15/2026

Last week during the Art Walk, one of our commissioners, Bob Anders, took to the stage at Torrent Brewing to educate the audience on Ames’ public art mission.

We are still accepting submissions for the 2027 calendar project (Bob is holding the 2026 version in this photo). If you’re interested in submitting a photo for the calendar, please visit https://www.cityofames.org/My-Government/Departments/City-Managers-Office/Public-Art-Commission/Call-for-Artists

Address

515 Clark Avenue
Ames, IA
50010

Website

http://www.cityofames.org/index.aspx?page=488

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