1. What was the inspiration for the project?

2. When did the project start?

3. Who participated in the development of the Art in Freedom Park project?

4. How was the project developed?

5. Was there opposition?

6. Is it permanent or just for the spring of 2005?

7. Is it all outdoors?

8. Has funding been secured?

9. Who are the sponsors funding the project?

10. I would like to financially support Art in Freedom Park.
How is my donation used?

11. What is the deadline for artists to submit proposals?

12. What are the guidelines for submissions?

13. Do you need performers?

14. Who selected the art for the 2005 exhibition?

15. Are you looking for volunteers?

16. What type of assistance do you need?

17. Where can I find more information about Discover Freedom Park?



>> What was the inspiration for the project?
Two things: 1) The fact that Freedom Park itself is the largest new urban greenspace in the United States in this century (Freedom Park comprises 210 acres.) 2) The fact that Atlanta is the only major U.S. city without a sculpture park.
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>> When did the project start?
Evan Levy, Project Director, has advocated and promoted the project for over 10 years with state and local officials and members of the arts community. He found support for his vision of an art park with letters from the Governor, the Mayor and members of Council. Community forums were held in 2001 with stakeholders attending who represented the many diverse voices of the community expressing an interest in public art and the idea of a modern sculpture park.

The compilation of ideas from those participating artists, architects, planners, activists, and elected officials was published in the volume entitled Changing the Landscape. It included the idea for a sculpture park in Freedom Park. A partnership of arts organizations, public and private, worked with the Freedom Park Conservancy to undertake funding and completion of a strategic plan in 2003. A nationally recognized consultant with a history of leadership in the development of innovative public art programs met with representatives of the neighborhoods, walked and explored the park, presented to the community and local press a slide show demonstrating the diversity of new projects from around the country, and then proposed a strategic plan specific to Freedom Park and Atlanta for the sculpture park with the publication of Discover Freedom Park in January, 2004. The Art in Freedom Park Task Force was authorized by the Conservancy to proceed with the development of the project. The artist-initiated exhibition for spring 2005 is to build public awareness and raise funds essential to the biennial Discover Freedom Park project that will be implemented over the next 6 years.
[>>A copy of the Discover Freedom Park publication in pdf format can be downloaded here.]
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>> Who participated in the development of the Art in Freedom Park project?
The Art in Freedom Park Task Force grew out of the Community Partners who sponsored and funded the strategic plan for the Art in Freedom Park project which included the Freedom Park Conservancy, Inc, the City of Atlanta Bureau of Cultural Affairs, the Fulton County Arts Council, the Metropolitan Public Art Coalition, and local artists.
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>> How was the project developed?
The Community Partners held public forums that included representatives of the surrounding in-town neighborhoods, the Carter Center, the press, local businesses and community representatives from the neighborhood civic associations and the two NPU's for the area. The project has the blessing of the Mayor of the City of Atlanta with a letter of support. It has been discussed in meetings with the City of Atlanta Bureau of Cultural Affairs and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs who are either members of the Art in Freedom Park Task Force or participating with in-kind and other support, in the case of the Dept. of Parks, who review the art to insure that it meets all applicable guidelines for public safety.
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>> Was there opposition?
As with all new ideas, there are critics. Some questioned whether there was sufficient funding when they compared this project to established sculpture parks created in the '60's and '70's like Storm King Art Center in New York, Fairmont Park in Philadelphia or Laumeier Sculpture Park in St. Louis. Most critics were convinced when they reviewed contemporary trends in public art and understood that Art in Freedom Park takes a progressive approach to the initial exploration of the park with an emphasis on temporary installations, the encouragement of community participation, a strategic approach redefining what constitutes public art and a hearty welcome to a diversity of artists.
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>> Is it permanent or just for the spring of 2005?
The 2005 exhibition is an artist initiated beginning to a multi year exploration of Freedom Park that will implement and fulfill the goals established in the Discover Freedom Park proposal produced by the strategic planning committee.
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>> Is it all outdoors?
All of the temporary and permanent artworks will be installed and maintained in the grounds of Freedom Park. In the future there may be 2-dimensional proposals in the form of drawings or sketches, or 3-dimensional models and macquettes that are exhibited in area art galleries, schools or similar public venues. Artwork currently in the park can be seen on this website under Art & Artists.
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>> Has funding been secured?
Funds in support of the initial planning that produced the Discover Freedom Park publication came from the Freedom Park Conservancy, City of Atlanta's Bureau of Cultural Affairs and MPAC. Financial support for the 2005 artist initiated exhibition came from the City of Atlanta's Public Art Program, the Fulton County Arts Council, an anonymous foundation, the Freedom Park Conservancy and from all of the sponsors and supporters listed on the Sponsors page. These funds support the 30 projects, the performances on the May 1st opening and September 18th closing, and throughout the summer, the administrative expenses and public awareness campaign of the Art in Freedom Park Task Force and different aspects of this initial exhibition. This diversity of support of Art in Freedom Park demonstrates and encourages future corporate and philanthropic community support that funders want to see, as well as demonstrating that continued public and community support will sustain the initiative of creating an art park for Atlanta.
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>> Who are the sponsors funding the project?
A combination of public agencies, including the Bureau of Cultural Affairs and Fulton County Arts Council, artists, individuals, cultural non-profits, local and national corporations, philanthropic family and community foundations and those producing or hosting the fundraising events the Art in Freedom Park Task Force will schedule throughout the year. A complete list of sponsors is available on this website under Sponsors.
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>> I would like to financially support Art in Freedom Park.
How is my donation used?
Donations to Art in Freedom Park will fund the ongoing development of Freedom Park as a dynamic and modern venue for the exhibition of temporary and permanent installations that will appeal to Atlanta's diverse population. Financial support will provide for the effective administration of the program, the commissioning of artworks and the maintenance of the installations.

Those wishing so support Art in Freedom Park can send checks, made payable to 'Art in Freedom Park' to:
Art in Freedom Park
651 Dallas St, Suite B
Atlanta, GA 30308
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>> What is the deadline for artists to submit proposals?
The deadline for submissions by artists to have work considered for the 2006 exhibition is December 29, 2005.
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>> What are the guidelines for submissions?
Rules are included in the RFP. All proposals have to be acceptable as to content, with a view towards safety for installation in a public park and with the Freedom Park Conservancy's mandated condition of returning the park to its original condition upon removal of the artwork unless it is an approved permanent installation. Artists can dowload a pdf copy of the RFP from this website or email a request to artinfreedompark@yahoo.com
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>> Do you need performers?
Yes. Performances in various media are encouraged to help redefine the meaning of public art. For the opening of the exhibition on May 1 and for the closing on September 18, 2005, performances in various and diverse media were included; documentation can be found on the News page.
Any performer or organization interested in participating in the 2006 exhibition opening should contact the Task Force at artinfreedompark@yahoo.com
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>> Who selected the art for the 2005 exhibition?
A curatorial panel of distinguished individuals with experience in the arts, public art, art history and criticism as well as representatives of the neighborhoods and the Atlanta community and who represent the diversity of Atlanta's population reviewed and selected the artworks that were submitted in response to the Request for Proposals. The selected proposals were then reviewed by representatives of the Parks Department of the DPRC for applicable safety issues to protect the public. A final review by the Task Force, the public art program of the BCA and by the Freedom Park Conservancy was for appropriateness as to content, materials and location.
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>> Are you looking for volunteers? How do people become involved?
Yes. Please forward a letter outlining your particular area of interest to the Art in Freedom Park Task Force at artinfreedompark@yahoo.com .
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>> What type of assistance do you need?
Volunteers are needed to help the Task Force with site maintenance, to assist the artists with their installations, to help the Task Force with the office work that is a major part of any initiative, i.e. marketing, media events, community outreach, arts in education opportunities, and fundraising events.
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>> Where can I find more information about Discover Freedom Park?
[>>A copy of the Discover Freedom Park publication in pdf format can be downloaded here.]
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