Originating in 1976, the Broward County public art program took a dramatic shift in 1995 when the allocation from county construction projects was increased to two percent. The program was renamed “Public Art and Design” to reflect a renewed dedication to enhancing architecture and urban spaces through the ideas and creations of visual artists. The money is distributed to art (70 percent), project support (15 percent) and long-term conservation (15 percent). Major projects occur at airports, ports, roadways, libraries, parks and other county buildings.

As the arts may be a barometer of world culture, so too, public art may be an indicator of a community’s culture. Broward County’s Public Art & Design Program is an internationally-recognized, world class program, and listed among an ensemble of the world’s finest public art, according to Australia’s Images Publishing in Designing the World’s Best Public Art.

Apart from the dynamic results and multi-dimensional impact to any community of public art – the process itself is an interesting one. Each journey, beginning with the dream, through the collaboration of artist, community groups, planners and architects, delivers a work of art resulting from the meeting, negotiating and creating of these learned minds. The process is a work of public art, within itself!

The purpose of Broward County's Public Art & Design program is to contribute to the enhancement of urban design through the creation of commissioned works of art that create a sense of place, that improve the visual environment for the citizens of Broward County and that advance the missions of the County departments where the projects reside. Today more than 256 artworks are installed at 90 locations.

“Broward County Public Art & Design program is a national leader in developing model public art policies and best practices, producing exemplary public artworks synthesizing design excellence. Broward County has received five Americans for the Arts Year in Review public art awards over the past eight years, an indicator of the program's outstanding commitment in advancing art and design." - Liesel Fenner ASLA, Former Manager of Public Art Network for Americans for the Arts​