The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture is excited to announce Amy Nguyen as the new Public Art Program Manager. Amy leads the dynamic team charged with overseeing the City’s investments in generative artmaking in the public realm. She joined the office full time in January 2021.
“I see public art as culture mapped on physical space,” says Amy. “I’m thrilled to build upon the rich legacy of the Public Art program and to forge new opportunities to invest in art that truly reflects the artistic expression of those most impacted. I believe through community-driven public art, we have the power to envision the City we want to live in.”
The Public Art Program integrates artworks and the ideas of artists into a variety of public settings, advancing Seattle’s reputation as a cultural center for innovation and creativity. The program specifies that 1% of eligible city capital improvement project funds be set aside for the commission, purchase and installation of artworks in a variety of settings. The Civic Art Collection currently includes more than 400 permanently sited and integrated works and nearly 3,000 portable works.
Amy’s work as an administrator and urban planner is rooted in participatory process and she brings with her the understanding that public art is central to how we construct public space in cities. By providing opportunities for individuals to encounter art in parks, libraries, community centers, on roadways, bridges and other public venues, the Public Art program simultaneously enrich our daily lives and give voice to artists.
Prior to joining ARTS, Amy spent over 10 years as a public servant and nonprofit leader that includes serving in management roles at the Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods and as a Legislative Aide for a Seattle City Council member. Beyond that, her experience in policy analysis, nonprofit management and community organizing spans New York City, New Orleans and Seattle. Amy received a Master’s degree in Urban Policy and an undergraduate degree in Urban Studies from the New School in New York.
