The Broward County Public Art and Design Master Plan, Design Broward (1995) was one of the earliest efforts in the United States to comprehensively layout a blueprint to integrate art into public spaces at scale. The plan set a roadmap for enhancing the aesthetic and cultural vibrancy of Broward’s urban and natural environments by outlining strategic priorities and policies, including the County’s 2 percent Public Art Ordinance. This comprehensive plan created a legacy that continues to shape the cultural landscape of Broward County today.
Building upon this foundation, Broward County took its commitment to public art a step further with the launch of the Environmental Art Master Plan, A Theater of Regeneration (2004). This master plan, developed as a collaboration between the Broward County Parks and Recreation Division and the Cultural Division, marked a transformative approach by blending public art with environmental sustainability. The document laid out a thirty-year vision for eco-art projects in the county, highlighting the importance of fostering a deeper connection between people, art, and the environment. The Eco-Art Master Plan introduced a groundbreaking concept for County-level master planning. In addition to its thirty-year vision, the plan also provided detailed multi-year action plans that included sixteen eco-art projects, each designed to enhance the county’s public spaces and natural areas in sustainable and engaging ways.
Our Public Art & Design Program has also collaborated to develop several public art master plans for our enterprise zones at Hollywood-Ft. Lauderdale Airport, Airport Expansion Public Art Master Plan (2005, updated 2009) and Port Everglades, Movement and Transformation; Art in Flux (2009). These plans outline strategies for integrating public art projects and temporary exhibitions to create an engaging experience for visitors by showcasing a diverse range of artistic expressions.
More recently, PAD has been at the forefront of co-creating master plans for local cities, further solidifying its role as a leader in public art and urban design. Notably, PAD has collaborated with the cities of Wilton Manors and Dania Beach, working closely with local stakeholders to develop tailored strategies that integrate art, culture, and community priorities into the fabric of each city.
Currently, PAD is undertaking research in order to assess, revise, and update the county’s inaugural Design Broward master plan to create Design Broward 2.0.