Join the city of Aurora’s Art in Public Places (AIPP) program for a special celebration of their 30th anniversary from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, at the Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway.
The anniversary celebration will include an exhibit at the Aurora Municipal Center Mezzanine Gallery, the reading of a poem written by Aurora’s Poet Laureate for the occasion and the publication of a special edition catalog including this first work of poetry to be commissioned for the collection. Mayor Mike Coffman will also read a new proclamation declaring Sept. 26 as the annual Art in Public Places Day and present it to AIPP Commission Chair Ana Valles.
“Community involvement is a crucial component of the Art in Public Places Program since community voices help guide the program’s objectives and ultimately make choices about the artists and artworks in the collection,” said Roberta Bloom, Cultural Services manager. “Advised by a nine-member Commission of Aurora residents, a community-based art selection panel is formed for each public art project and selected artists often work with the community to gather information and ideas; therefore, the 30th anniversary of the program is a milestone for the city, the commission and the Aurora community.”
The city of Aurora Art in Public Places Program was created 30 years ago with the passage of Ordinance 93-63 in September of 1993. The intent was “to expand the opportunities for Aurora residents to experience art in public places, thereby creating more visually pleasing environments; the arts represent an opportunity for Aurora to establish a unique image and character and to contribute to the civic pride of Aurora’s community.” Currently, the mission of the Art in Public Places Program is to capture the pulse of the community by contributing to neighborhood development, economic vitality and engaging the many voices of Aurora through art and culture.
Refreshments and a great assortment of public art swag will be available. To learn more, follow AIPP on social media or visit AuroraGov.org/PublicArt.