SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — It’s been more than 13 years in the making, and today the City of Savannah is excited to launch its first-ever Public Art Master Plan. This citywide initiative is designed to guide the future of public art in Savannah over the next decade. City leaders invite residents to weigh in on how public art should be integrated with public meetings.
When walking on this sidewalk mural – it’s clear – art isn’t just something you see in Savannah... it’s something you experience. Now the city wants to take that experience to the next level – where murals and statues would be in your neighborhood and highlight stories across the city.
Public art in Savannah exists in various forms… such as the Waving Girl Statue on River Street, and traffic-calming art installations in neighborhoods like Cloverdale.
Now the City aims to build on these efforts by creating a structured, citywide approach that will highlight Savannah’s history, culture, and creativity in aesthetic and practical ways. The City of Savannah is kicking off today a major step toward enhancing its vibrant art scene with the launch of the Public Art Master Plan at the Savannah Cultural Arts Center.
"Public art has a social impact, it is a cultural impact, it also has an economic impact. I think Starland District in Savannah is a good example of that. Where art meets business. There is creative place-making happening. There are places in Savannah where I can see it happening," said Stuart Miller, the Director of Cultural Research Department for the City of Savannah.
In partnership with organizations, the City is inviting residents to help shape the future of public art in Savannah. What began as a goal in 2012 is finally coming to life and aims to create a resident-driven plan to integrate art throughout the city.
This project will tell stories, enhance public spaces, and can even drive economic growth by attracting new tourism and local investment. Over the next 6-8 weeks residents have the chance to share their ideas through an online survey and attend public community meetings. In-person and virtual focus groups are scheduled for each district – giving residents plenty of opportunity to weigh in.
"Each community has its own history, and its own character, and its own stories to tell. And public art at the end of the day, is story telling. People were talking about historic African American Theater that was on a site in downtown. There is a very strong visual, what if there is a way we found a way to commemorate that with public art?" said Miller.
Other ideas already pitched to Miller's team have also included the Coffee Bluff neighborhood adding a site where coffee was originally imported and brought to downtown Savannah.
City officials emphasize that while Savannah is already known for its rich arts culture – it has never had a comprehensive public art program.
The goal is to present a final proposal to the mayor and city council by September this year which would establish a 10-year roadmap for public art around the city.
It’s encouraged that you participate, and this project will only succeed if community voices are heard. For more information… including meeting schedules and the online survey click hereor go to savannahpublicart.com.
To take the online survey click here.
To attend the kick-off meeting the event is Tuesday, February 11, at 11:30 a.m. at the Savannah Cultural Arts Center.
To participate in virtual meetings, click below:
All Focus Groups will be held via Zoom from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Click on your preferred Focus Group to sign up.
>> District 1 Tuesday, February 18, 2025
>> District 2 Wednesday, January 29, 2025
>> District 3 Monday, February 17, 2025
>> District 4 Thursday, February 20, 2025
>> District 5 Friday, February 21, 2025
>> District 6 Monday, January 27, 2025
For in-person community engagement meetings, look below.
All events are 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Light snacks will be provided, and families are welcome. Registration is not required.
- District 1 Monday, February 24, 2025. | Hudson Hill Center (2227 Hudson St., 31415)
- District 2 Tuesday, February 11, 2025. | Savannah Cultural Arts Center (201 Montgomery St, Savannah, GA 31401)
- District 3 Wednesday, February 26, 2025. | Pennsylvania Avenue Resource Center (425 Pennsylvania Ave, Savannah, GA 31404)
- District 4 Tuesday, February 25, 2025. | location to be provided soon
- District 5 Wednesday, March 5, 2025. | Liberty City Community Center (1401 Mills B Ln Blvd, Savannah, GA 31401)
- District 6 Wednesday, February 12, 2025. | Crusader Neighborhood Center (81 Coffee Bluff Villa Rd, 31419)