Today public art can be found in a wide variety of public places such as parks, plazas, along city streets, within sports facilities, airports, transit stations, and just about
any other public space imaginable.
Public art may take the form of a stand alone work or it may be integrated into a structure within the environment for which it was created. With site-specific works of art, the site is selected first and the artist then creates an original work of art specifically for that place. The characteristics and distinctive nature of the place are reflected in the work of art. Elements that define a town's character such as its history, its people, and its way of life are incorporated into the process the artist uses to create the work of art for that community.
A great deal of time goes into selecting a site, selecting an artist and assembling a group of people who will be involved in the process. These people are usually closely tied to the site, either neighbors or professionals that work at the site location, those who are organizing the project, and people who are otherwise affected in some way by the project. In this way, virtually all public art projects become an interactive process involving many people. This process is an important aspect to the final artwork. Through the participation of many people, the work of art becomes one that the community can feel pride and ownership of.
There are a wide range of forms that public art can take. It may be representational, nonrepresentational, site-specific, figurative, narrative, participatory, environmental, functional, kinetic, documentary, conceptual, integrated, ornamental, or political. Some of the more widely used materials include various metals, glass, concrete, paint, and stone but the scope of possibilities is extensive including fiber, clay, wood, plastic, earth, fiberglass, plaster, water, light, neon, computer, sound and found objects. Every aspect, from what the piece is made of to the message it reveals, says something about the environment in which it is placed. Public art can play an important role in presenting and advancing a site or community's identity.