Public art has many faces. It spans in size from colossal building-scale sculptures to the small and subtle; sometimes almost hidden within the built environment. It can be permanent ephemeral, or participatory. The scope of public engagement and the level of value it returns to the community varies and is often hotly debated.

Why is public art valuable? How does public art bring value to the community? Is there any benefit of public art to people beyond just ‘art lovers’?

Here, I share the top ten reasons why public art is good for the built environment and its community of regular (and occasional) visitors. There are also positive impacts of public art on the construction industry, and the broader economy. Here are some local examples from Perth, Western Australia, and overseas.