Albuquerque’s Vibrant Creative and Cultural Spirit Detailed in Public Art Census

 The 2024 Public Art Census report for Albuquerque and Bernalillo County is now available, offering an in-depth look at the region’s vibrant public art collection, art in public spaces, and cultural expression.

Led by the City of Albuquerque’s Department of Arts & Culture and the Albuquerque Public Art Program, this groundbreaking initiative marks only the second Public Art Census ever conducted in the United States. In partnership with the Bernalillo County Public Art Program and Rokh, the census documents and showcases the breadth of public art and creative works throughout the county.

The full report is now live and available for download in English and Spanish at https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/public-art/public-art/census.

“Public art affects our quality of life, like the air we breathe,” said Rokh Principal Danicia Monét Malone. “And as an acronym, ‘air’ sums up public art’s importance as an asset, indicator, and resource.”

Rokh is a multidisciplinary cultural equity, research, and design studio whose work encompasses identity, communications, and critical race theory.

For this study, public art is defined as artwork in the public right of way, regardless of whether situated on public or private property, or whether publicly or privately funded. Artworks documented through the moment-in-time study include unique architecture, murals, graffiti, stained glass, roadside memorials and descansos, hand-lettered signs, mosaics, sculptural installations, hot air balloons, customized vehicles such as lowriders, neighborhood little libraries, and more.

A team of local canvassers covered over 20,000 linear miles across Bernalillo County between December 2023 and October 2024, logging 11,364 artworks. Canvassers traveled all publicly accessible roads, streets, and alleyways to record artworks including type, location, condition, and identifiable signature.

The recorded artworks were then analyzed using civic and GIS spatial data such as ethnicity, gender, crime, income, homeownership and rentership, education levels, schools/colleges, walkability, transit, and greenspaces to gauge the accessibility of public art and spatial equity in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County.

“The detailed census captured a wide range of public art across our city and county, showing the amazing variety and talent that makes Albuquerque unique” said Mayor Tim Keller. “From beautiful murals and large sculptures to whimsical installations, the art listed in this census reflects the vibrant and rich culture of our area.”

Some key findings of the Albuquerque, Bernalillo County Public Art Census:

• Canvassing uncovered 11,364 artworks across Bernalillo County – with 11,225 in the general zone, 29 in To’hajiilee Tribal Territory, 60 in Canon de Carnuel, 26 in Chilili, and 24 in Isleta Pueblo.
• Of the 11,225 works in the general zone, 789 included the artist’s name onsite.
• Most art was found in excellent or very good condition.
• There are 10,909 artworks within one mile of parks and nature recreation spaces.
•  The census identified gaps, or public art deserts – areas where people encounter relatively less art than in the community at large. Two census tracts with no public artwork were found in ZIP codes 87120 and 87151.

“The Public Art Census report provides not only vital data but also actionable insights that can help in building meaningful relationships with surrounding communities by increasing outreach and engagement as well as uplifting local stories and neighborhood identities,” said Public Art Interim Manager Matthew Carter.

Learn more about the Public Art Census and download the full report at https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/public-art/public-art/census.