York University’s Department of Visual Art & Art History will host a symposium May 18 to 20 on the role of and expectations around public art. “Public Art: New Ways of Thinking and Working” will focus on the policies and practices of commissioning and creating art for the public realm.

The symposium will feature two keynote talks and 12 panel discussions. ECU Associate Professor, Faculty of Culture + Community Dr. Cameron Cartiere will deliver one of the keynote talks: “Permanent Works in an Impermanent Time”.

Dr. Cartiere's talk will examine questions around the processes and best practices for commissioning public art, and whether these processes actually suppress rather than foster creativity.

The symposium is co-organized by sculptor Brandon Vickerd, chair of the Department of Visual Art & Art History in York’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design, and Ciara McKeown, a Calgary-based public art consultant and commissioner.

Dr. Cartiere will give her keynote talk on Friday, May 19 at 4:30pm. The symposium is open to the public. More information is available online.