About

Today, Arlington is home to more than 70 permanent public art projects. These works are commissioned by the County to be integrated into various capital improvement projects, sponsored by developers as part of the site plan process, and initiated by communities. Arlington’s history of developer-initiated public art goes back to 1979 with the commission of Nancy Holt’s Dark Star Park in Rosslyn.  Arlington Public Art has also hosted more than 40 temporary public art installations since 1987 and continues to partner with local arts organizations, artists, and community organizations to present interpretative projects, exhibitions, and more.

Arlington Public Art is a program of Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of Arlington Economic Development, which delivers public activities and programs as Arlington Arts.

Press

Check out the latest news on public art in Arlington as well as archived press.

Public Art Committee

The Public Art Committee is appointed by the Arlington Commission for the Arts to guide the Public Art Program staff’s administration of the Public Art Program.

Self-Guided Public Art Tours

From walking tours to driving tours, there are a number of ways to explore Arlington’s collection of more than seventy works of public art.

Public Art Awards

Arlington Public Art is an internationally renowned, award-winning publicly and privately funded program.

Public Art Staff

Learn more about the staff of Arlington Public Art.

Kick Off Arlington Public Art's 40th Anniversary at Dark Star Park

An Arlington tradition for four decades, the public is invited to participate in Dark Star Park Day, on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, and watch the shadow alignment that the iconic sculpture was designed to capture.