Art on the building

Fire Station II, Fire Department, Inge's Idea ©State Capital of Mainz

“Art in Architecture” creates cultural value. It is one of the largest and most important programs for promoting art and artists in Germany. Together with architecture, it documents developments in aesthetics and artistic creation across individual decades.

What is "art in architecture"?

The term “art in architecture” refers to the artistic design of publicly funded buildings. A large portion of public construction projects receives financial support from the federal government or the states. The state of Rhineland-Palatinate follows the federal government’s example and has stipulated that, for subsidized construction projects, one to two percent of the construction costs should be allocated to artistic design.

Art in Architecture is independent of the architecture and design language of the buildings. However, it should relate to the building and its use and engage in an aesthetic dialogue with the existing structures.

As an element of building culture, art in architecture shapes the quality and expressiveness of buildings and can also have an impact on the surrounding public space. It is permanently integrated into the structures, either indoors or outdoors, and—depending on the building, its purpose, and the available space—can draw from various artistic disciplines, ranging from more classical sculptural or painterly concepts to digital video or projection installations.

The origins of art in architecture lie in the artistic design of buildings, which for a long time was an integral part of architecture. It was not until minimalist and austere architectural concepts became increasingly prevalent in the 20th century that art assumed a new role. The fundamental idea and the rules for art in architecture—which remain in effect today—were adopted by the Bundestag at its 30th session in 1950, upon the recommendation of the German Association of Cities.

"Art in architecture" in the state capital Mainz

The state capital of Mainz regularly announces competitions and calls for expressions of interest to solicit qualified proposals for the artistic design of construction projects. The Department of Historic Preservation, Construction, and Culture is responsible for public art in and on buildings in the state capital of Mainz.

Calls for proposals, calls for expressions of interest, or similar current information are published here as well as on the relevant websites of the BBK Rhineland-Palatinate and, where applicable, the State of Rhineland-Palatinate.