Grants Pass has a lot of art all around town-- if you look. Recently, new pieces are being added to our collections. We have murals, painted electrical boxes, themed bears, statues and chalk walks. All along the street light posts of G St. and 6th and 7th, flowers are hung in spring and summer, pumpkin ghosts appear in fall and twinkle lights are placed for winter. For Christmas, musical boxes and nutcracker statues are posted around the town's vintage center shopping streets. The Committee on Public Art (CoPA) promotes and creates the art around town, as well as supports visual and performing arts education. Formed in 2002, the committee evaluates the towns’ structures or buildings, the financial statuses, legislation and the art policies in GP.

This permanent standing group, appointed by City Council, makes suggestions on the themes and approach to the art in Grants Pass. They recommend the methods used and partnerships for investments for such projects. Art must be placed in a publicly accessible place and be experienced for free. They follow a mission statement for their organization; “To advise the City Council on ways to make Grants Pass a cultural and aesthetic center for the arts. Our mission is to connect the community with creativity.”

A town's art reflects on its collectiveness and its cultural identity. Having communal art gives a sense of home and pride in itself. Artwork can express opinions, views and stances on subjects, giving the area an elevated sense of awareness and uniqueness. Visitors are left with a more impactful stay, with something memorable to take with them.

Bear Hotel Fiberglass Painted Bears

*For any professional artists looking to add to our towns' showing of creativity and artistic abilities an application for public art is available. You can submit an application of Place Public Art (PDF) to CoPA and they will review your propositions and location. They ask you to "please see Guidelines for Acceptance for Public Art." Upon approve, a contract would be presented to you to sign.*