Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Community Assistance Newsletter: December 2019 | Volume I, Issue 10

French artist, JR, installed dozens of large print historic photographs in and around derelict buildings on Ellis Island - part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. Photo courtesy of Save Ellis Island.

Enhancing the Visitor Experience Through Art

No matter the size of the art installation or performance, the artistic medium, or even the location, art has consistently found a way to help the National Park Service reach new audiences and tell deeper stories. Recently-retired National Park Service landscape architect and project specialist, Charlie Tracy, walks us through examples of art projects that shaped his career and had positive impacts on public lands. Read more

A social engagement sculpture, part of the "Harboring Project" by the Reciprocity Collaborative, at Spectacle Island in Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. National Park Service photo.

Temporary Experiences That Last a Lifetime

Boston area residents and visitors can participate in unconventional artistic experiences thanks to efforts from the National Park Service to enrich public land experiences and connect with new audiences. From the Boston Harbor Islands to a town just outside of Boston, the National Park Service – Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program has helped Park Service staff and community groups experience the outdoors through the lens of art. Read more

View of Díaz Lewis' interior art installation, "34,000 Pillows," at Battery Boutelle in Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Photo courtesy of Robert Divers Herrick.

Arts in the Parks: Fostering Understanding, Healing and Reflection

Arts in the Parks and its thought-provoking exhibits have created transformative experiences for national park visitors. Since 2006, more than 280 artists have participated in 27 Arts in the Parks projects at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. More than 1.1 million visitors explored these exhibits. Read More

This Month's Toolkit

Works of art have long enhanced our public spaces - just think about fountains, murals and archways. Creative expressions help define a community’s identity and evoke the spirit of place. Art has the power to draw people together and enrich their experiences. How can it be used in community spaces?

From engaging communities to securing funding, this toolkit walks you through the steps and opportunities that come with incorporating art in public spaces.