If you've read some of our previous articles about great cities to view art, you may be catching on to the fact that with its fabulous arts district as well as the Dallas Museum of Art, we are big fans of Dallas, Texas. With a well-resourced public art program, the city’s public sector art installations are plentiful and among the best in the country.

The North Texas city gets high marks for its dedicated percentage for the arts funding established through city ordinance in 1989. As passed by the city council, the cultural affairs program operates in coordination with a public art committee and culture advisory commission. Resources devoted to public art include support from the Texas Commission on the Arts. The result is an incredible collection of over 300 works of art, many by local artists, with installations in almost every neighborhood of the city.

With art installations at Dallas libraries, fire stations, and parks and recreation centers, it's difficult to narrow the list of public spaces and places to just a few. We'll pick a handful of our favorites, and share this handy map so you can plan your own public art immersed visit to the big D.

Fair Park in South Dallas

It's home to one of the biggest state fairs in the country, but Fair Park is about more than corn dogs and carnivals. It's also a great place to experience public art. Fair Park features many great works of art, including a truly spectacular Crystal Chandelier located inside the fair's music hall.Artist William Martin designed the breathtaking piece in 1970 and it has been a point of great attraction for thousands of citizens and visitors to Fair Park each year. Although access to public art is often free, attending a music event at the hall offers the added bonus of viewing the elegant lighting display.

Love Field

We've talked a lot about transit art such as that which you will find at DART train stations, but we've yet to consider public art opportunities at local airports. Love Field is a city-owned and operated airport and home to many incredible artworks and exhibitions.Although travelers who spend time at the Dallas airport may be preparing to soar above the clouds, their eyes will be transfixed upon the floor when entering the ramp from the Love Field Mezzanine. The floor level mural “In Flight, 2012” is made of 100% recycled glass and depicts four species of Texas birds. According to artist Paul Marioni, “Texas has an unusual number of native birds and an extreme number of migratory birds. I felt that this was a fundamental theme that all members of society could relate to.”

Downtown Dallas

"Floating Sculpture" by Marta Pan is another favorite of visitors to Dallas. Many regard it as “must-see” on the list of Dallas public art tours.

The two polyester resin on steel frame pieces are on display within the reflecting pool nearby City Hall. Due to their innovative design, the spheres swivel and sway along the water. The sculptures were created by Pan to reflect a sense of balance with nature and were once displayed in New York's Central Park, before finding a permanent home in Dallas.

Ready to experience Dallas public art for yourself? There are endless possibilities to explore and experience by way of Dallas public sector art. You can also check out original art online now with new works posted weekly on the UGallery website.