The development of a work of public art is a complex interaction among the artist, planners, design professionals, the public or private client and the project site. In an effort to advance our thinking about how to realize extraordinary public art projects, several organizations aligned to plan Public Art 360: A Symposium from Seven Perspectives, which will be held at Hanes Hall Auditorium on the UNC campus April 11-12.

The event is intended to be an interactive dialogue among nationally recognized speakers and the audience, and will help participants understand why public and private organizations ask artists to remake their cities and projects to break through anonymity and reinvigorate shared, public urban space.

As its subtitle indicates, the symposium will address the field of public art from seven points of view: those of artist, architect, landscape architect, government, private interests, community and critic.

Each of seven sessions will address the complexities inherent in any public art process when various participants --commissioning organizations, review agencies, elected officials, taxpayers, designers and artists -- have their own interests and there is potential for conflicting perspectives.

These discussions will frame critical issues associated with how public art projects can be initiated, approved, funded, and implemented; how to reinforce shared objectives through a public review process; and implications for public policy.

There are more than 450 public art programs in the United States and hundreds of regional organizations are developing legal policies and public procedures, such as percent-for-art ordinances, to commission works of public art in their communities. The federal government supports one of the largest government-funded public art programs, which is administered through the General Services Administration. The MGM Mirage in Las Vegas recently announced the largest privately funded public art program in the country, totaling $40 million.

The last time a public art conference was held in North Carolina was in 1989. Since then, the state has recognized five percent- for-art ordinances (in Asheville, Chapel Hill, Charlotte-Mecklenburg County, the Charlotte Area Transit System, and the Triangle Transit Authority). More than two dozen other cities and towns across North Carolina that have initiated formal public art planning and programs, including Durham, Raleigh, and Greensboro.

The Public Art 360 symposium will run from April 11 at 4 p.m. to April 12 at 8 p.m.

Join Public Art 360 participants from across the Southeast to learn about the difference between studio art and public art, and about the power of government to shape and change public art projects. Learn how landscape architects and architects collaborate with artists to create extraordinary public artwork, and why private foundations and corporations sponsor public art. Learn about opportunities for community involvement. Area tours of public art and artist live-work housing will complement the experience. To register and learn more about Public Art 360, visit the conference Web site: www.publicartcollaborative.org.

If you are a municipal representative (staff or elected official) the North Carolina Arts Council has a scholarship program for three or more colleagues; if you are a student (with a valid ID) there are volunteer opportunities in exchange for reduced registration. Please contact Symposium organizers through the Web site for information about these opportunities.

Public Art 360 is made possible, in part, by the Percent for Art Collaborative, North Carolina Arts Council, Orange County Arts Commission, South Carolina Arts Commission, Americans for the Arts Public Art Network (PAN), University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Town of Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission, City of Raleigh Arts Commission, Cary Visual Art. Chapel Hill Museum, Chapel Hill-Orange County Visitors Bureau, Golden Belt, The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation, and Giorgios Hospitality Group.