Vacant pedestals in Old Town could be filled with local art again. Here are details

A program that showcases art made by local and regional artists in the Old Town area is making a comeback.

The Sculpture WalkAbout program ended in 2023, with the Wichita Arts Council citing a lack of funding. Many of the pedestals that were installed for sculptures have been empty since then.

The original program began in 2008, allowing artists to receive a small stipend from the city in hopes of getting their sculptures purchased by collectors.

Now, the city will buy artwork for permanent display on its remaining 14 pedestals.

“The Design Council and staff believe this to be a much more sustainable program for these pedestals,” city Art Director Lindsay Benacka said.

The Wichita City Council approved $200,000 in funding this week for artworks and maintenance through the city’s Percent for Art program.

The city’s art director said during the previous WalkAbout program, artwork was priced between $5,000 to $20,000.

“It can really run the gamut, depending on size, scale, scope, materials,” she said.

With the council’s approval, artists will soon be able to apply for their artwork to be purchased for the outdoor sculpture program, with preference given to Wichita or Kansas based artists. A selection committee approved by the Design Council will choose the artwork, and final selections will be presented to the city council for approval, according to an agenda report.

“We’re really hoping that we can use this project… not necessarily in the incubator idea, but as a low barrier to entry for visual artists to enter the public art arena, because they’re kind of one and done, static sculptures versus these larger aesthetic design projects,” Benacka said.

A timeline for when artwork would be expected to be installed was not given during the council presentation.

This story was originally published February 19, 2025 at 3:37 AM.