Proposed Sculpture Walk at Silver Park

On June 3, 2024, the City Council approved a 10-year agreement with Arts Missoula, a 501(c)(3) non-profit for sculptural art in Silver Park.

A sculpture walk is essentially an outdoor gallery where durable sculptures are placed amidst landscaped settings. Many cities nationwide have designated public areas for these installations, providing accessible art that fosters community identity, pride, and a sense of belonging, ultimately enriching the lives of residents and visitors alike.

Funding for acquiring, installing, and maintaining the sculptures would come from grants and donations rather than public funds. A community-driven non-profit, Sculpture Missoula, has been established to bring the project to fruition. Oversight from the City's Public Art Committee would ensure a transparent public review process. Parks and Recreation would manage the park and trail operations around the sculptures with minimal costs to the City.

Learn more about the project, respond to art calls, and donate at www.artsmissoula.org, or contact Chuck Leonard, Board President, Sculpture Missoula, at cleonardsculpture@gmail.com. Review the project overview that was presented to the City Council.

Key points

• Up to 10 privately funded sculptures may be placed in Silver Park over the next two years, with potential for expansion.
• The project objectives are to enhance Silver Park and support the arts with minimal cost to the city.
• Public engagement included several public meetings and a public opinion survey, with over 85% of respondents expressing support.
• Silver Park was chosen for its location and amenities, including trails, shelters, restrooms, and parking. The sculptures are expected to increase appropriate park usage and provide free public art viewing.