Site-Specific Art

“In Site-Specific Art, we explore the possibilities of interdisciplinary collaboration and its value in the rapidly growing creative economy.  Our sense of creative value has changed.  When combined with technology, art can do more than provide entertainment; it can rebuild and reanimate society.  Creating this synergy requires an education of the senses, the intellect, and emotions.  We seek concrete outcomes on campus, but also in the cultural life of the city of Boston. ”

-Professor Hugh O’Donnell

This unique elective is open to students in all majors, both in the Visual Arts program and all other schools in the university. The course aims to instruct students in the professional practice of making site-specific art commissions for public and private clients. The students will gain professional skills in the development of a site-specific work of art that will require the utilization of a variety of media, an interdisciplinary approach and team work. Students will also learn how to work and negotiate with prospective clients who wish to contract site-specific art for particular settings and architectural environments.

In many cases, student-proposed projects have received funding, and have become fixtures of campus, as well as the city.

Past Project sites have included:

  • Redbull-North America Offices
  • Boston University West MBTA Stop
  • Boston University Student Village
  • Warren Towers
  • Boston University Fitness and Recreation Center
  • Boston University Photonics Center

Course Selections

AR 521 Site-Specific Art 4cr
AR 621 Site-Specific Art (Graduate students) var

Course Descriptions

Site-Specific Art
This elective will be interdisciplinary and open to students in all majors, both in the Visual Arts program and all other schools in the university. The course aims to instruct students in the professional practice of making site-specific art commissions for public and private clients. The students will gain professional skills in the development of a site-specific work of art that will require the utilization of a variety of media, an interdisciplinary approach and team work. Students will also learn how to work and negotiate with prospective clients who wish to contract site-specific art for particular settings and architectural environments.

Graduate Level Site-Specific Art
This graduate level elective will be interdisciplinary and open to students in all majors, both in the Visual Arts program and all other schools in the university. The course aims to instruct students in the professional practice of making site-specific art commissions for public and private clients. The students will gain professional skills in the development of a site-specific work of art that will require the utilization of a variety of media, an interdisciplinary approach and team work. Students will also learn how to work and negotiate with prospective clients who wish to contract site-specific art for particular settings and architectural environments.