Multiple Pathways to Funding Public Art

This article is a free excerpt from our publication CODAreview: The Power of Public Art. Jennifer Seay, who is interviewed in this article, will be joining us as a panelist at CODAsummit in Santa Fe in September. Click here to learn more and register to hear more from Jennifer!

 Public and private funding play distinct but equally crucial roles in integrating art into communities and commercial spaces. Two leaders in these fields, Alejandra Pelinka and Jennifer Seay, approach funding and artist engagement in different ways. Pelinka focuses on public funding in Bloomington, Minnesota, using government and community resources to support large-scale public art initiatives. Seay, on the other hand, operates in the private sector, securing corporate commissions and working with real estate developers to bring curated art into commercial and residential spaces.

As Director of Creative Placemaking for the City of Bloomington, Pelinka leads efforts to integrate art into urban planning, ensuring that it plays an intentional role in community development. Bloomington is one of the most arts-supported cities in the U.S., with the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington metro area ranking third nationally in government support for the arts. According to CreativeMN, the city’s arts and culture sector contributes $12.1 million in economic impact, reinforcing the value of public investment in the arts.

WE Mural, uploaded by the City of Bloomington Creative Placemaking

A major initiative under Pelinka’s leadership is the South Loop Creative Placemaking Plan, which aims to transform the neighborhood into a more welcoming and lively destination through public art, performances, and community events. Bloomington’s latest city-wide Creative Placemaking Master Plan, will provide a long-term strategy for integrating art into civic spaces based on community input. You can read more at www.bloomingtonmn.gov/placemaking.

Pelinka’s public funding model combines municipal budgets, state and federal grants, and local partnerships to commission artists, organize cultural events, and sustain public art programming. Her work ensures that art remains accessible and that community voices actively shape the artistic vision of Bloomington’s public spaces.

Unlike Pelinka’s government-funded approach, Jennifer Seay operates in the private sector as the Founder and CEO of Art + Artisans Consulting, a commercial art consulting firm in Austin, Texas. Established in 2002, the company specializes in curating art collections for businesses, real estate developers, and private collectors. Art in these spaces serve multiple functions—it enhances branding, elevates aesthetic appeal, and contributes to the overall experience of a place.

Seay’s projects are privately funded, with businesses and developers commissioning work as part of branding and space enhancement strategies. These projects are often integrated into office buildings, luxury hotels, healthcare facilities, and residential developments, where curated artwork creates a sophisticated and engaging environment. Over the years, Art + Artisans has doubled its revenue and staff size, reflecting the growing demand for privately funded art solutions. The firm works closely with a network of artists, managing projects from concept to installation to ensure that each commissioned piece aligns with the client’s vision.

While Pelinka and Seay operate in different funding landscapes, both demonstrate how strategic investment in art transforms spaces and creates lasting impact. Publicly funded art, as seen in Pelinka’s work, strengthens communities, fosters civic pride, and supports local economies. Privately funded art, led by Seay, tailors artistic expression to both community spaces and corporate environments, creating meaningful, curated experiences for businesses and clients.

Their work demonstrates that there are multiple pathways to funding public art, whether through public investment, private commissions, or collaborative partnerships. By exploring different funding models, communities and organizations can find approaches that best support artistic expression while enriching cultural identity, fostering engagement, and shaping environments.