4th Quarter Update
September 2022

The City's first public art project, a large-scale mural on City Hall, has been completed and presented to the community. Contracting for two pieces of sculpture commemorating the social justice movement is in process with completion and installation planned in the next 9 to 18 months. The City's public art program is now in full implementation with the Arts Commission leading multiple efforts to identify and create opportunities for public art in DeSoto. Planning for public art in major capital projects also continues with art elements in the scope of work to be performed for both the McCowan Park Aquatic & Recreation Center as well as the Hampton Road Street Redesign projects.

3rd Quarter Update
July 2022 

The Arts Commission adopted and the City Council approved policies and procedures related to the procurement of public art. The first project sought under those policies, a mural on City Hall, is nearing completion. The semi-finalist process of selecting the artist for the City's second public art project is nearing completion. Staff is seeking opportunities to make room for art in public projects as they develop, but policy options have yet to be developed and presented to the City Council for consideration. The Hampton Corridor design is in process and aesthetics and public art opportunities are an element of that process. The stakeholders will be contacted for further discussions in Q4. Economic Development staff will incorporate new city-wide standards into individual development agreements on a case by case basis.