Westminster Public Art
Have you seen the bear? Or the elk? How about the fireman in bronze? The colorful children on a balance beam? Do you know about the Public Art Program in the City of Westminster? Why not explore the city, find new places and be surprised by the variety of sculpture and murals throughout the community!
The City of Westminster's Public Art Program represents the evolution of public and private investment, consistently high development standards and the continual establishment of partnerships between the city and the development community - enhancing the overall experience of the built environment in Westminster.
More than 100 individual works of art contribute to the overall program, ranging from larger-than-life cast bronzes to kinetic "wind sculpture" and from brick-masonry murals to beautiful frescos. They punctuate spaces ranging from City Hall and other city facilities to commercial centers throughout Westminster. The intent of the program is not to simply embellish architecture, but to integrate art into the fabric of the overall community.
Public spaces, including parks, fire stations, libraries and City Hall, are commonly recognized as locations for public art, based on public ownership and accessibility. Funds from the city's hotel/motel tax-funded Community Enhancement Fund have been used for many of these installations.
Locations that might be a surprise include commercial shopping centers and office parks. Many private installations are driven by the city's requirement that commercial developments greater than 1 acre include public art, while others are voluntary. Residents and visitors alike may find themselves standing in the middle of a mosaic compass, posing to have their photo taken with a majestic elk or simply struck by a pod of dolphins leaping from a fountain. All of the program installations encourage awareness of, and interest in, public art.
Take advantage of this guide to the Public Art Program installations throughout Westminster. Take the time to find works of art in our community that you may have missed. Most of all, experience art, and the city, from a whole new perspective!
Arts & Culture Master Plan
Arts and culture play a critical role in communities. They stimulate the economy, spur innovation and beautify cities. Research increasingly points to the role of arts and culture in achieving social priorities—improving quality of life, increasing connections, ensuring wellness, and educating and enlightening citizens.
Through the creation of the Arts & Culture Master Plan, the City of Westminster takes its place among many communities across the world who value a strategic approach to arts and culture initiatives. This plan is the culmination of research, public engagement and input gathered from the local cultural, business, education, philanthropy and arts communities. It is rooted in best practices and the City's vision for future development.
The Westminster Arts & Culture Master Plan is intended to be a flexible road map. This plan outlines a long-term vision and offers recommendations for achieving that vision. It prioritizes leveraging current resources, partnerships and activities to ensure the work is sustainable and fits within other community and City goals.
2023 Progress Report
Using the Vision, Priorities, and Recommendations established in the Arts & Culture Master Plan, the 2023 Progress Report provides a summary of accomplishments to date and next steps that are being undertaken in the implementation of the Arts & Culture Master Plan. The 2023 Progress Report also provides an analysis of the Arts & Culture Master Plan in relation to the City's 2022 Strategic Plan to illustrate areas of alignment.
View the full Arts & Culture Master Plan.
Art Exhibitions at City Facilities
The City of Westminster may display selected works of local art at its facilities and libraries in order to create an appropriate, pleasant, thoughtful, and sophisticated atmosphere, consistent with the -values of the City and the messages the City wishes to convey. These displays of art may also have the positive effects of increasing the community’s appreciation of the arts and of supporting local artists by providing opportunities to exhibit their work.
Art Exhibition Policy and Application
Artistic Traffic Box Wraps
In late 2022, City staff identified funding for the installation of fifteen artistic traffic box wraps. City staff established a partnership with Westminster Public Schools that resulted in the creation of vibrant works of art to be included in this project. The works of art that have been selected exhibit the skill and passion of these young, emerging artists who are all students of the Westminster Public School system.
As the project with Westminster Public Schools was nearing completion, students from the 5th Grade class at Witt Elementary School asked to create an artistic traffic box wrap near their school as a way to remember Witt Elementary as it is being closed in 2023. This artwork was the result of a team of students working together to identify a theme that best represents their school and the legacy of their time at Witt Elementary. This artwork is also included in the document below.
Artistic Traffic Box Wraps - Final Selections
Fuse Box Container Art Gallery
Coming soon to Downtown Westminster! The Fuse Box Container Art Gallery is being installed October 2023, and will soon be filled with beautiful art from rotating local artists, starting with work from the Paletteers Art Club! The Fuse Box is created from a specially designed shipping container, and once installed, art galleries will be viewable 24/7.
Art classes and talks with artists will also be scheduled, so stay tuned for more details!
Victoria M. Bunsen Memorial Sculpture Garden
Victoria “Vicky” Bunsen worked tirelessly for more than 25 years on the City of Westminster’s Staff as its staunchest advocate for historic preservation. Vicky began her career in the City Attorney’s Office and later moved into the City’s Community Development Department to devote herself full time to advancing the cause of historic preservation in the City.
Vicky was responsible for establishing the City’s first urban renewal area and urban renewal project with the redevelopment of the Westminster Plaza Shopping Center at 72nd and Federal Boulevard. This project served a catalyst for significant redevelopment in Historic Westminster and a much broader commitment to historic preservation of the very roots of the City, including the Rodeo Supermarket, the Grange, and the Red and White building.
Vicky successfully advocated for much needed infrastructure improvements to 72nd Avenue and Bradburn Avenue, including street lighting, and street, sidewalk and landscaping improvements.
Art, music and historic preservation were Vicky’s greatest passions. Vicky played a key role in the formation of the South Westminster Arts Group and the Historic Westminster Arts District She could often be seen at the Westminster Grange playing her beloved fiddle with her old time bluegrass band. The ongoing Art and Sculpture Shows and Historic Westminster Festivals are a direct product of Vicky’s efforts.
Vicky’s efforts were not limited to the original area of Westminster. Vicky went on to assure the preservation of The Shoenberg Farm and Dairy, the Semper Family Farm, the Mushroom Farm Water Tower and the Wesley Chapel Pioneer Cemetery.
It can be well said of Vicky Bunsen that she was the City’s “Mother of Historic Preservation.” Without her devotion, passion and commitment to historic preservation much of the City’s historic roots would be lost. Dedicating the Victoria Bunsen Memorial Sculpture Garden and the Fred Valente Humanitarian Park will serve as important and permanent reminders to the citizens of Westminster of the roots from which such a great City grew.
2024 - 2025 - Vicky Bunsen Sculpture Garden - Sculpture on Loan Program
New for 2025 - The City of Westminster's Sculpture on Loan program has expanded to downtown Westminster. Be sure to checkout the three sculptures and the Fuse Box Container Art Gallery.
2024 - 2025 Dowtown Art Walk Program
Sculpture on Loan Program - Every year, the City issues a national Call for Entries for new sculptures to be installed. Sculptures are selected through a community based preference survey at events during the City's Arts Week celebration in late April. This creative program allows the City to provide annual stipends to artists and leverage over $100,000 in beautiful public art.
If you have questions, please contact Kate Cooke at kcooke@westminsterco.gov
Map of Westminster's Public Art