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We recently covered the new art sculpture that was created as part of the new Water Treatment Plant.
We previously said the sculpture, known as "Source", cost $1.25 million. This is not quite correct, but we will get into that.
I want to dig into the details—the ordinance behind this, the state of public art in Wichita, and why these big-budget projects even exist.
Water Treatment Sculpture
Wichita is getting a new $573 million water treatment park on Zoo Boulevard near the Sedgwick County Zoo set to open April 1, 2025 (no, this is not an April Fools joke).
$1.25 million of the total budget was used to build “Source” in addition to two other art installations that are going in near the bike walk. You can see the design and inspiration from Jill Anholt Studio.
From what I understand and from what was reported elsewhere, these 3 sculptures are the latest of the “Percent for Art” ordinance that was passed back in 2019. These sculptures were also budgeted for at the beginning of planning stages.
I’m no mathematician and I typically stay away from public math…
but $1.25 / $573 = ~0.2%
If we spent 2% of $573 that would be $11.46 million and now wouldn’t THAT be something. Maybe something like this:
So, maybe I’m missing something…but I don’t fully understand how the 2% thing completely applies here.
Whether you think the sculpture price tag is too high, a necessary expense, or somewhere in between, it’s worth noting that this wasn’t a random splurge—it’s part of a broader local initiative to integrate public art into city projects.
The 2019 2% Ordinance
Here’s where things get interesting: in 2019, the Wichita City Council passed the 2% for Public Art Ordinance (full details here).
What does that mean?
“Per the ordinance, the Design Council shall endeavor to develop a collection of Public Art that is of the highest quality that will encompass a broad aesthetic range reflecting the City and the minds of its citizens; that will improve the quality of life in the area; that will be accessible to all individuals and will be a source of pride to residents.”
Simply put, 2% of the total cost of any major public project must be used for art. The idea is to enhance Wichita’s public spaces with meaningful, lasting installations—something to inspire, beautify, and (let’s be honest) give people something to argue about in the Reddit comments.
Before you dismiss the whole thing as excessive, consider this: public art projects aren’t just sculptures.
The ordinance has funded all sorts of visual enhancements that make infrastructure a little less… infrastructury. From bridges to parks, the 2% rule ensures we’re not just building functional spaces—we’re building places that people want to look at.
This 2024 - 2028 strategic plan goes over the percent for Art Program Ordinance funding process (specifically pages 10, 11, 14, 25).
Examples of the 2% Rule
Every capital project since this was 2019 has included the 2% for art.
Amidon Bridge Pillars
Graphic by Emma Wilks - Maize News
A great example of the 2% rule in action is the Amidon Bridge over the Arkansas River. What could have been just another bland bridge now boasts intricate, beautifully designed pillars. It’s a small touch, but it adds character to the area and turns a forgettable structure into something worth noticing.
If you haven’t seen them, next time you’re driving west, take a moment to appreciate the detailed craftsmanship. These aren’t just pillars—they’re a quiet nod to Wichita’s growing public art scene.
Harry Street Bridge Cranes
Another example exists down on Harry Street and McClean. The otherwise boring bridge incorporated beautiful steel crane structures.
The Importance of Public Art
Thee City's Division of Arts and Culture gave a presentation about public art to City Council during a recent workshop. A lot of quality information was shared. Here's a timestamped link for your reference:
Personally, I just love looking at the art, but it actually does go deeper than that.
Here are a few takeaways from an economic and social impact study (Arts & Economic Prosperity 6) of the nation’s nonprofit arts and culture industry:
Nonprofit arts and culture orgs are businesses that employee people locally
Arts and culture drives commerce to local businesses to the tune of $38.46 per person per event that attendees spend at nonprofit arts and culture events
Arts and culture strengthens the visitor economy - 1/3 of attendees travel from outside their county to these events
86% of Americans say arts and culture are important to their community’s quality of life and livability
Other Art
While we’re talking about art, here are a couple other recommendations if you’re interested:
Emily Christensen and Teri Mott
The Shout is a great publication covering all the art and culture in Wichita from Emily Christensen and Teri Mott.
December 20, 2024 | Sign Up | Support Us TOGETHER WITH Good morning, Wichita! I'll stop bringing it up after today, but you have approximately 13 hours left to enter our 12 Days of Giveaways! You can enter over on our Instagram or by sharing this link: [RH_REFLINK GOES HERE] Today's giveaway is $500 in gift cards to 5 of the best food spots in Wichita. Let's get to it! - Landon Huslig NEWS The End of Free Parking u/trav2974 The verdict is in. Starting in the summer of 2025, downtown visitors...
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December 16, 2024 | Sign Up | Support Us TOGETHER WITH Good morning, Wichita! 12 Days of Giveaways is still rolling! Right now we are giving $500+ dollars worth of gift cards to some of the best cocktail bars and more. You can enter on Instagram or you can enter by sharing your referral link: [RH_REFLINK GOES HERE] I am catching up on emails (and I will reply, I promise), but to those who have shared, we are keeping track and giving you entries! Let's get to it! - Landon Huslig NEWS Water...