The Future of Public Space and Art: New Perspectives

Join us for the second program in a four-part series on The Future of Public Space and Art. The series challenges us to discover better design strategies for the public realm that welcome all people. How do we re-envision our public spaces and the public art that inhabits them in ways that are more inclusive and enriching to collective and personal experience for social benefit? This program on New Perspectives will look closely what makes a good public space through the work of practitioners creating new and various kinds of public spaces. We’ll explore the following questions:

What constitutes a public space?
What role do public space and public art play in welcoming a diverse population and advancing social equity?
How can the public realm support and enrich our communities? After brief presentations, there will be a moderated audience discussion.

The series expands on the theme Belonging and Beyond, established earlier this year by 2024 AIANY President Gregory Switzer, AIA, NOMA. Belonging and Beyond centers on crucial aspects of human well-being that improve physical and social-emotional health and resilience for individuals and communities. This forum will explore noteworthy solutions that grow out of a robust exchange of interdisciplinary ideas, pointing to the future of public space and public art and their role in social equity.

Speakers:
Nina Cooke John, AIA, NOMA, Studio Cooke John
Susannah Drake, FASLA, FAIA, APA, Principal, Sasaki
Setha Low, Professor of Environmental Psychology, Director of Public Space Research Group, Graduate Center CUNY
Abby Coover, Founder and Director, Overlay Office; Founding Member, Work in Progress, Women in Practice
Sonya Gimon, Founding Member of WIP Collaborative