Celebrating the Economic Impact of Public Art: CODAworx Launches Landmark Report in New York

New York art lovers, supporters, and artists from around the globe gathered at the Metropolitan Club to celebrate the launch of a groundbreaking report by CODAworx on the Economic Power of Public Art. The event, hosted by Powerhouse for the Arts, Harlem School of the Arts, LongHouse Reserve, MTA Arts, the Trust for Governors Island, and Barbara Tober, highlighted the significant financial impact of public art as a multi-billion dollar industry.

CODAworx, founded by CEO Toni Sikes, aims to revolutionize the world through public art by providing essential tools and infrastructure. Over the past decade, Sikes’ passion has built a robust backbone for public art, offering software tools and resources to commissioners, donors, and artists.

Elizabeth Turk, an artist renowned for her community installations and sculptures, shared how CODAworx has amplified her work’s reach and impact. “CODAworx is more than infrastructure and funding,” Turk said. “They provide metrics that help advocate for our work to donors, demonstrating public art’s real economic impact.”

The report, “The Economic Power of Public Art,” underscores public art’s value, combining data with case studies to show its economic benefits. In 2023 alone, $4.4 billion was awarded in commissions, with $1.8 billion going to fabricators, suppliers, and service providers. CODAworx statistics also encompass experiential art such as street art, light sculptures, and projection installations.

Andrew Salzbrun, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of BLINK, an experiential art festival, shared a success story: “In 2009, Over-The-Rhine was the most dangerous neighborhood in the country. Now, thanks to BLINK, it’s the top city in the U.S. for street art, with $700 million in economic development.” CODAworx’s annual public art conference, CODAsummit, will coincide with the BLINK festival this October.

CODAworx connects artists, projects, and commissioners, maintaining the largest database of public art projects with over 13,000 commissions. Their annual conference, CODAsummit, gathers hundreds of artists and commissioners to discuss the latest advancements in public art. The CODAawards recognize outstanding commissioned art, with entries worldwide. Their publications, including the new report, further research and news in public art.

Guests at the luncheon included prominent figures like Carrie Rebora Barratt from LongHouse Reserve, Sandra Bloodworth and Yaling Chen from MTA Arts and Design, artist Machine Dazzle, Stephanie Dockery from Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Clare Newman from the Trust for Governors Island.