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Outdoor artwork of carved, upright, bronze paddles at the Burke Museum in Seattle.
"Guests from the Great River" (2020) by Tony (naschio) Johnson and Adam McIsaac, at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Seattle.
Eleven bronze paddles represent the arrival of a Chinookan canoe carrying cultural heroes of that region and the knowledge they embody. Located at the Burke Museum on the campus of the University of Washington, in Seattle, Western WA. Click to learn more about this artwork on My Public Art Portal. Photo by ArtsWA. Part of Washington's State Art Collection.

Public Art

Art in Public Places is uniquely positioned to advance and support art and artists across Washington. Our goal is to build and care for a State Art Collection that is impactful, accessible, and valued. We seek lasting artworks that reflect Washington’s diverse communities.

Our Art in Public Places program (AIPP) purchases and cares for artworks in state buildings, colleges, universities, and schools throughout Washington. The State Art Collection includes more than 5,000 artworks, located where people study, work, and live. The Collection includes a wide range of materials, sizes, and styles. It represents notable artists from Washington, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. The public selects and owns the Collection.

Read the legislation that formed our program: RCW 43.46.090 | RCW 43.46.095

Read the Washington Administrative Code that guides our program: WAC 30-40

How do we acquire Public Art?

When Washington constructs a new building, we reserve one-half of one percent of the state’s cost for art. In partnership with local committees, we acquire artworks that are permanently sited in their buildings or campuses. Through a series of facilitated meetings, they select an artist from the Public Artist Roster and provide feedback and approval during design. In some cases ArtsWA staff and the committee may opt to purchase existing artworks with the help of our Curator Roster. With public schools, artwork funds are combined each biennium and eligible K-12 schools are invited to apply for a commissioned artwork.

About the Collection
Artwork Acquisition
Public Artist Roster
Collection Care

Public Art Spotlight

What does public art mean to the people who live and work alongside it every day?
In 2024, we traveled across the state to speak with students, legislators, artists, and more to find out.
“[Public art] gives an opportunity to not just build buildings, but to build culture, the spirit of our community.” —Senator Matt Boehnke, 8th Legislative District.
“Art inspires deeper thought, deeper communication.” Students, legislators, artists, and others tell us what they think and feel about art and Washington’s State Art Collection.

Marita Dingus is an African American feminist and environmental artist who uses recycled materials. “What better thing to do than to make art of things that people would be throwing away?”

RYAN! Feddersen (Okanogan and Arrow Lakes) creates site-specific installations, public artworks, murals, and more. “Art is how we tell ourselves who we are as a society.”
Joe Feddersen (Okanagan and Arrow Lakes) explores the relationships between contemporary and native symbolism. “We all have things to share that make this a better place.”
A band of geometric patterns made of thousands of 3-inch industrial highway reflectors encircles the circular roof of a large concrete building. There is a very blue sky behind the SunDome.
Dick Elliott’s "Circle of Light" artwork illuminates the Yakima Valley SunDome roof, in Central Washington.
Click to learn more about this artwork on My Public Art Portal. Part of Washington's State Art Collection.
Circle of Light at the Yakima SunDome

Over the summer of 2020, ArtsWA worked with an experienced team of architectural conservators to evaluate the artwork Circle of Light by Richard C. “Dick” Elliott at the Yakima Valley SunDome. At 880 feet, Circle of Light is the State Art Collection’s largest artwork. This unique artwork is comprised of nearly 50,000 individual 3-inch diameter reflectors. Artist Dick Elliott created this dynamic artwork in 1992. In the years since, it became an icon in the region but the Yakima sun and wind took their toll. Architectural Resources Group (ARG) completed an evaluation and developed a plan for repairs. Over the summer of 2022, ARG and Burton Construction (of Spokane) restored the artwork, installing thousands of new reflectors. On July 25th, the ARG restoration team, ArtsWA’s conservation team, Washington State legislators, and many community supporters, gathered at the SunDome to place the final reflectors on “Circle of Light.” Jane Orleman, Dick Elliott’s wife, placed the last reflector herself. Explore and read more about the restoration of Circle of Light.

Public Art News

Heritage Caucus
2025 Heritage Caucus
Heritage Caucus will begin on January 15 and will be held virtually on Wednesdays at 7:00 a.m. during the 2025 legislative session. Heritage Caucus is co-chaired by Senator Judy Warnick and Representative Steve Tharinger.…
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Contact Us

If you have questions about the Art in Public Places program, please contact: Mike Sweney, AIPP Program Manager, at mike.sweney@arts.wa.gov or 360-228-4080.

Explore More of the State Art Collection: