Per Cent for Art Scheme
The Per Cent for Art Scheme
The Per Cent for Art Scheme allows for a percentage cost of a capital Project of a capital project to be used for the commissioning of an art project.
In 1986 the Department of the Environment adopted this scheme and it was initially called “The Artist Embellishment Scheme” and provided the opportunity for Local Authorities to commission permanent sculptural works. Since a review of the scheme, which has since extended to all Government Department with construction budget, the scope of the artwork commissioned under the scheme has also expanded.
The Per Cent for Art National Guidelines 2004 (currently under another review) is the accepted handbook for Local Authorities undertaking commissions.
“The Scope of Public Art Has Widened to include not just sculpture’s close relations, architecture and painting, but also music, literature, film video, multimedia and sound art as various performing arts including, theatre, dance, opera, performance and live art” ( The per cent for art, National Guidelines, 2004)
Fingal County Council is researching Public Art Policy. The policy document is currently at a draft stage.
Public Art can last a minute, a day, a year or a lifetime
