VDH Issues Recreational Water Advisory for the Potomac River
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VDH Issues Recreational Water Advisory for the Potomac RiverDetails can be found here
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Public Art Initiative
Since adopting the FY21-24 Strategic Plan, the BOCS has been seeking ways to leverage the power of the arts to humanize the built environment and invigorate public spaces, as outlined in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Currently, there are no dedicated resources or centralized processes for responding to or initiating opportunities to integrate tangible art expression into our natural and built environments. If approved, the program would position Prince William County among a select group of jurisdictions in the region with formal public art programs and only the second county, after Arlington County.
In November 2025, the County Executive appointed a Public Arts Task Force comprised of the following representatives:
- Adam Cook, Managing Director, Peterson Companies
- Sharon Richardson, PWC Parks and Recreation Commission
- John Hartt, Local Artist/Chamber Member
With guidance from staff and Diane Ruggiero, Public Arts Administrator for the City of Alexandria, the purpose of this task force is to conduct research, engage the community, and develop policy. The final product will establish a policy outlining how public art projects are selected, sited, funded, executed, and maintained. As directed, the policy will be consistent with the framework shared with the Board in response to Directive 22-24. The process will culminate with a presentation to the BOCS, followed by revisions and a final recommended policy for BOCS adoption.
Additionally, an internal taskforce comprised of representatives from the Office of Management and Budget, Planning Office, Parks and Recreation and Facilities will be involved in the process to provide the necessary technical expertise.
BOCS Issued Directives
Expand all- Directive 22-04
During the CIP Work Session on February 8, 2022, the BOCS issued Directive 22-04:
Draft a public art policy for Board of County Supervisors’ consideration to be implemented in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget and administered by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, funded by a dedicated revenue stream. In response, staff researched public arts programs in the Northern Virginia region and developed a policy framework for BOCS consideration.
- Proposed Public Art Policy Framework
- Create a Public Art Program to be administered by DPR.
- Program would be managed by a professional arts administrator.
- Utilize call-for-artists for competitive selection
- Art installations would be targeted for existing and new public parks, civic spaces, and public-facing facilities.
- New capital projects for public buildings and parks will make accommodations for public art integration during the design stage.
- Community stakeholders will provide guidance on policy implementation.
Develop a Public Art Master Plan with target sites, selection parameters, and approval process.
- Proposed Public Art Policy Framework
- Directive 25-19
On April 15, 2025, the Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) issued Directive 25-19 directing the County Executive to:
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- “work with staff, as a follow-up to Directive 22-04, to draft a public art policy for further Board consideration, consistent with staff's proposal in its memorandum in response to Directive 22-04. The proposed policy should include, among other things, any associated costs to the County, and the County Executive's appointment of a policy development task force to provide them with feedback as they make recommendations to the Board. The County Attorney's Office is directed to review the information and recommendations for any legal issues. When the work is complete, the County Executive should report back to the Board with their recommendations during a Board meeting or by memorandum, as they determine appropriate.”
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Meeting Schedule & Minutes
Expand all- 2025 Meetings
MEETING DATE
APPROVED MINUTES
November 17 11.17.25 Minutes December 3 12.03.25 Minutes
Q&A's
Expand all- Why a Public Art Program?
- A new public art program aligns with the BOCS FY25-28 Strategic Plan:
- Goal 8, Objective 1: Promote high-quality architectural design, thoughtful placemaking, and appealing public spaces to create vibrant and attractive environments for living, working, and recreation. (placemaking to strengthen residents’ connection to the community); Incorporate public art into public spaces to enhance their beauty and uniqueness. (appealing public spaces)
- A new public art program would achieve numerous goals in the DPR Master Plan:
- Strategy 6.6: Planning through Community Engagement: Evaluate opportunities to create a public art collection or “Art-in-the-Park” program.
- Public Art is a central ingredient to Small Area Plan design guidelines to create vibrant and sustainable urban environments.
- A new public art program aligns with the BOCS FY25-28 Strategic Plan:
- What are some of the benefits of having a public art program?
- Leverages local and national talent to enhance the identity and character of a community and cultivate a unique sense-of-place
- Humanizes the built environment and enhances the meaning of civic spaces
- Supports cultural tourism and economic development to attract visitors and commercial investment
- What is the regional precedent?
- Many Northern Virginia governments administer public art programs:
- Arlington; annual CIP appropriation of $140,000
- Leesburg; Friends of Leesburg Public Arts fundraises and the Town matches funds at times
- Fairfax City; annual CIP appropriation of $20,000
- Vienna; funded through grants, donations and the Vienna Public Art Foundation
- Alexandria; annual CIP appropriation of $250,000
- Many Northern Virginia governments administer public art programs: