NEW YORK CITY.- Since 1983, the New York City government has commissioned and funded almost 200 works of public art through the Percent for Art program. In public places throughout the five boroughs—plazas and parks, community centers and schools, transportation terminals, police stations, firehouses and courthouses—New Yorkers now live and work with remarkable, permanent installations of art thanks to the program. The process of creating these artworks has brought community residents and contemporary artists into dialogue with one another, while establishing a model for other cities around the world.

Now, for the first time, it will be possible to enjoy the full, exuberant range of these artworks in one place. On April 28, 2005, Merrell Publishers will bring out City Art: New York’s Percent for Art Program, a colorful, illustrated, comprehensive catalogue of the program to date. On the same day, the Center for Architecture—the public gallery of the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter—will open a lively exhibition of the same name, exploring how these artworks came about. The exhibition, presented by Target, will remain on view through September 3.

The large-format, 240-page City Art book, edited by curator and educator Marvin Heiferman, features striking, newly commissioned photographs by David S. Allee of selected public artworks and sites; a photographic index of 189 completed Percent for Art projects; essays by cultural commentators Adam Gopnik and Eleanor Heartney; interviews with artists, community members and key participants in the program; and a preface by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. The book was made possible by a generous grant from the Joy of Giving Something Inc. (JGS).

The Center for Architecture exhibition, curated by Marvin Heiferman, offers an engaging multimedia display—with lightboxed photographs, models, plans and sound—revealing the complex process behind successful public art. A schedule of public programs is also planned.

Additional support has been provided by Furthermore: A Program of the J.M. Kaplan Fund, The Fund for the City of New York, Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, Gruzen Samton Architects and Dattner Architects.