The Community Foundation of the Lowcountry created the Public Art Fund for the purposes of funding and acquiring public art and outdoor sculpture to be placed in the public realm on Hilton Head Island. Beginning in 2011, the Community Foundation sponsored a biennial Public Art Exhibition on Hilton Head Island.

The Public Art Fund Committee worked in partnership with the Town to pre-approve Town owned properties appropriate for placement of public art. Several pieces of art were accepted by the Public Art Fund, by purchase or donation, one of these pre-approved locations is chosen for placement. A request for acceptance of the piece into the Town’s public art collection. During the 15 year period between the founding of the Public Art Fund, 10 sculptures were acquired and permanently installed in the public realm.

After the creation of the Office of Cultural Affairs within the Town of Hilton Head Island in 2017, the Community Foundation worked closely with the office to coordinate public art installations. In 2020 the Public Art project migrated entirely to be managed by the Town of Hilton Head Island Office of Cultural Affairs. The OCA works hand-in-hand with other Town departments to strategically plan the acquisition and placement of permanent pieces and temporary exhibitions of public art for Island residents and visitors to enjoy.

The Town of Hilton Head Island’s permanent public art collection and temporary public art and creative placemaking programs tell all of our visitors and residents that we are a place that cares about who we are, what we do, and where we come from.