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Support USF Public Art through a donation to the Rhea F. Law Public Art Fund!
Support socially-engaged art projects and community partnerships through a donation to the Art for Community Engagement (ACE) Fund!
Recent Press
3/5/2023 - Joe Testa-Secca spent decades making art in Tampa. Here’s where you can see it. - By Kristen Hare, Tampa Bay Times
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1/26/2022 - USF Art Exhibit Gives Residents Chance To Make Clay Seedpods - By D'Ann Lawrence White, Patch
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12/14/2021 - Shaping the local art scene: Sarah Howard of USF CAM in Tampa - By Caitlin Albritton, 83degrees
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11/26/2021 - A look at the outdoor art coming to Water Street Tampa in coming months - By Jay Cridlin, Tampa Bay Times
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11/21/2021 - Public art goes digital in Tampa's new Water Street development - By Lloyd Sowers, Fox 13 News
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11/12/2021 - Illuminated art installations announced for Water Street Tampa - By Andrew Harlan, That's So Tampa
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5/18/2021 - Tampa’s newest developments put public art on display for all - By Caitlin Albritton, 83degrees
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2/24/2021 - Sarasota artist John Sims demands change through art, writing - By Maggie Duffy, Tampa Bay Times
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1/22/2021 - Art Diary, Marking Monuments - Apollo, The International Art Magazine
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11/19/2019 - How to see lots of public art in an hour? Take USF’s free Public Art Tours - By Caitlin Albritton, 83degrees
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2019 - The Invisible Telescope by Sandra Cinto - ArtNexus
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11/6/2018 - 10 things that may surprise you about USF - By Cheryl Rogers, 83degrees
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11/30/2016 - Art Populi: Take A Walking Tour Of USF's Public Art Collection - By Mark Schreiner, WUSF
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2016 - Tomás Saraceno:
New permanent site-specific sculpture at University of South Florida by Sandra Cinto - ArtNexus
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9/4/2014 - Some closing remarks as Richard Beckman exhibit is celebrated one last time at USF - By Julie Garisto, Creative Loafing, Tampa Bay
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1/29/2014 - USF Contemporary Art Museum celebrates with 'Social Engagement' show - By Lennie Bennett, Tampa Bay Times
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1/27/2008 - Dual Nature:
Robert Stackhouse creates environments that emulate the rhythms of nature - By Lennie Bennett, Tampa Bay Times
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8/6/2006 - Inspirations: Art in Focus - By Lennie Bennett, Tampa Bay Times
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10/17/2003 - Creating artwork and artists - By Tim Grant, Tampa Bay Times
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5/16/2003 - New technique accentuates art - By Elizabeth Bettendorf, Tampa Bay Times
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1996 - Solar Rotary by Nancy Holt - By Angelica Berrojo, Tampa Historical
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7/22/1994 - USF's marine art exhibit features a top public artist - By Mary Ann Marger, Tampa Bay Times
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Visit the Newsroom for more stories!
About Public Art
The Public Art program at USF focuses on site responsive works, typically resulting in the creation of places, as opposed to objects. Most projects have been developed for the interjacent spaces between buildings, with footprints that result in plazas, gardens and courtyards. These projects serve as informal gathering spaces for the various academic neighborhoods of our campuses. The main campus of the University of South Florida is comprised of 785 acres, located in Tampa, with smaller branch campuses in St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee.
Florida's Art in State Buildings Program was created legislatively in 1979; setting aside one half of one percent of any new state construction funds for the acquisition of artwork to be placed in and around our new facilities. At the University of South Florida, this program has allowed us to work with many of the nation's most prominent public artists to develop projects which enhance the aesthetics of our campus, and enrich the cultural life of our students, faculty and staff. Major projects have been completed by such premier artists as Alice Aycock, Dale Eldred, Richard Fleischner, Doug Hollis, Nancy Holt, Tim Rollins and K.O.S., James Rosenquist, Ned Smyth, and Elyn Zimmerman.
Complimenting our major projects, the USF Public Art program has offered opportunities to emerging artists from the State of Florida and beyond; oftentimes providing these artists with their first opportunity to work in the public realm. Significant projects by Richard Beckman, Maria Castagliola, Robert Calvo, Jack Casey, Harrison Covington, Gary Moore and Andy Yoder, among others, amplify our collection and provide the viewer the opportunity to experience a broad spectrum of contemporary public art.
While project budgets are derived from one half of one percent of State construction funds, many of our major projects have been augmented with private funds, and with funds derived from line-items monies from construction, furniture and equipment, lighting and landscape. In kind services from faculty, students, and area corporations are another means by which we enhance our project budgets.
The USF Institute for Research in Art is recognized by the State of Florida as a major cultural institution and receives funding through the Florida Department of State, the Florida Arts Council and the Division of Cultural Affairs.
Social Engagement
The USF Contemporary Art Museum is committed to exploring socially engaged artistic practice, focusing on collaborative and participatory forms of exchange with a broad range of artists, audiences and communities. Throughout its exhibition history, CAM has presented socially engaged projects addressing critical issues and representing diverse perspectives with the aim of educating and engaging new audiences and expanding communities.
About the University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, a high-impact research university dedicated to student success and committed to community engagement, generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. With campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF serves approximately 50,000 students who represent nearly 150 different countries. U.S. News & World Report has ranked USF as one of the nation’s top 50 public universities for five consecutive years, and this year USF earned its highest ranking ever among all universities public or private. In 2023, USF became the first public university in Florida in nearly 40 years to be invited to join the Association of American Universities, a prestigious group of the leading universities in the United States and Canada. Through hundreds of millions of dollars in research activity each year and as one of the top universities in the world for securing new patents, USF is a leader in solving global problems and improving lives. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
Resources
Upcoming Events
1/17/25
X Factor: Latinx Artists and the Reconquest of the Everyday Artists Conversation + Opening Reception
2/21/25
X Factor: Latinx Artists and the Reconquest of the Everyday Artists Conversation + Dessert Reception
5/10/25
Graphicstudio Open House + Benefit Sale
Visitor Information
General Questions:
publicart@usf.edu or (813) 974-3503
Hours:
Hours vary depending on the site location, but most are open Monday–Friday 8am–5pm;
Interior locations may be closed on University and State of Florida holidays.
Parking:
On Tampa campus parking permits are required 24 hours, 7 days a week. Available at USF main entrance on Fowler Avenue, or the museum lot. Branch campuses may also require permits.
Location:
USF Public Art map is available
here or by calling 813-974-4133.
Printable PDF Version.
Mailing Address
USF Public Art Program
3702 Spectrum Blvd. Suite 100
Tampa, FL 33612-9498 USA
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Copyright + Reproduction
The electronic images available on this site are subject to copyright and may be covered by other restrictions as well. The images are made available to the general public as a representation of USF's Public Art collection. Copy or redistribution in any manner for commercial use is not permitted. Anyone wishing to use any of these images for commercial use, publication, or for any purpose other than personal fair use must first request and receive prior written permission from the University of South Florida Institute for Research in Art. Please call (813) 974-2203 for more information.
Contact
publicart@usf.edu
(813) 974-2203