Downtown Albany hosts a wide variety of accessible, free public art by local, regional, and internationally renowned creators. The major public art and placemaking initiatives currently on view are listed and linked below.
Artful Albany podcast
Explore public art while hearing from the artists through the self-guided walking tour podcast: full information here.
Downtown public art exhibits include:
William Street
Light and color have been added to the connective corridor between Beaver & Howard Streets thanks to Downtown Albany BID investments. Located one block west of S Pearl Street, head to William Street for overhead lighting, colorful street furniture, and a 150-foot-long sidewalk mural by local artist Eugene O'Neill. More information.
Capital Walls
Capital Walls is a public art endeavor by Albany Center Gallery, Albany Barn and Albany Parking Authority. This project seeks to inspire our community with uplifting, educational, or thought-provoking works of public art. More information
Downtown is Pawsome
Downtown is Pawsome is a popular public art project based on Albany’s famous canine landmark Nipper. Though the exhibit has ended, numerous pieces remain on display in downtown Albany. More information
Open Gallery
Presented by The Downtown Albany BID and Albany Center Gallery, Open Gallery is a public art project that activates downtown Albany's side streets and alleyways into a vibrant, colorful, outdoor gallery featuring the work of a diverse range of talented artists (More information). Existing artwork in various mediums was photographed in high resolution and printed on durable vinyl wraps, and installed on 14 doors throughout Downtown, inviting community members and visitors to explore new paths and find beauty in unexpected places.
View the Open Gallery walking tour map here
Signs of Greatness: Albany Stories
Signs of Greatness: Albany Stories highlights unique points of interest in downtown Albany, many of which until now have been little known to the public. This exhibit of 12 interpretive permanently installed panels tells stories of Albany's settlement and development, trade and industry, and landmark social innovation, all wrought in our historic streetscapes and noteworthy buildings over the past 400 years. More information
Stand in the Sole of Albany Dutch Clog Sculptures
Stand in the Sole of Albany was the Downtown Albany BID's 2012 Sculpture in the Streets program. 10 giant "wooden shoe" sculptures celebrating Albany's rich Dutch heritage were creatively customized by local artists as part of the exhibit. While the majority of the sculptures were auctioned at the end of the exhibit, two sculptures remain permanently in Downtown at Quackenbush Square (near 683 Broadway) and outside the Downtown Albany BID and Capitalize Albany offices at 21 Lodge Street.
@downtownalbany There's so much awesome public art in #DowntownAlbany—here are just a "few" of the pieces you'll find! Head to our link for a full #PublicArt directory. #Albany #AlbanyNY ♬ original sound - Downtown Albany BID
