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Public Art Commission highlights six new installations, cites $7.2M annual economic impact
Summary
The Public Art Commission reported six new installations in FY'26, engagement with 177 artists and a claimed $7,200,000 annual economic impact; presenters described recent murals, volunteer contributions and a near‑term archway installation for the farmers market.
The Public Art Commission presented its FY'26 annual report to the Jackson City Council, citing six new public art installations in the Arts District and broad community participation.
Commission representatives and contracted staff said the program engaged 177 artists this year, supported 20 artists financially and recorded about 45 volunteers who together logged 295 volunteer hours. "we, installed 6 new art installations, in the Arts District," a presenter said during the report. The presenters also reported a $7,200,000 figure for annual economic activity tied to the arts and said the designated Downtown Arts District attracts 2,900,000 visitors per year, according to internal data shared with council.
Artists who created recent commissioned work described their goals for public-facing pieces. "I am the artist that was selected to paint the mural here on Royal Street," Ashley Akerson said, explaining her color palette and community inspiration. Presenters showed images of a Carnegie sidewalk mural and said an archway—stained glass and metal—by artist Susie Hendricks of Memphis is nearly complete and expected to be installed in the last week of August or the first week of September.
Council members asked how artist calls are posted and whether city funds are used. Presenters described a selection process that uses project-specific committees and said the Public Art Commission allocates city funds and also seeks grants; one presenter said the artist calls are posted on the Jackson Home website and linked from the city's site. Speakers said the commission is discussing expansion of projects outside the Arts District but that the commission has prioritized building out the district first.
The report included several measurable items (counts of installations, volunteer hours and dollar figures) and a request that staff follow up with a map and additional details about funding sources for future council briefings.
Looking ahead, the commission said it will pursue grant funding for larger projects, continue alleyway and crosswalk art, and explore an interactive public‑art field guide.
