About Public Art

Public art is just as the name says – art that is out in public spaces. It can be a variety of shapes, sizes, materials, and colors. It can be three-dimensional sculpture, or come in other forms such as mosaics, landscaping, and digital work. The ideas expressed in our works of art should challenge, question, and open up a space for discussion on new and better futures for all in our community. We invite you to view our public art collection of over 150 works on any campus in the Texas Tech University System.

The Public Art Program at the Texas Tech University System was initiated by the Board of Regents in 1998 to enrich the campus environments and extend the educational mission at all of its universities. Through the program, public artworks are funded using one percent of the estimated total cost of each major capital project. Since then, over 150 items created by some of today’s leading artists have been added to the TTU System’s multiple campuses. Contact Emily Wilkinson, Executive Director of Public Art, to inquire about touring the public art, presentations about the collection, brochures, and additional information.

The Public Art collection ranges from antiquities to modern and contemporary art, with artworks created by American and International artists. The collection is thoughtfully curated by a panel of faculty, staff, community members, and artists. Almost all pieces are site-specific commissions, selected to reflect the spirit of the building where the piece is located. The collection is firmly rooted in culture of all campuses in the Texas Tech University System and new important works are added regularly, both through original commissions and donations. The Texas Tech University System Public Art Program operates out of Texas Tech University System Facilities Planning & Construction.

Number of Artists
144
Works of Art
153
Our System

Across 8 Campuses and Academic Locations in the Texas Tech University System

Emily Wilkinson Bio Image

Executive Director of Public Art

Emily Wilkinson is the Executive Director of Public Art in the Office of Facilities Planning & Construction, joining the department in early 2014.

Working with a committee, Wilkinson oversees the Public Art Collection and Program at the Texas Tech University System, which solicits, evaluates, and commissions original public artworks to complement construction projects undertaken by the Office of Facilities Planning & Construction. She also handles the upkeep, maintenance, and public education of the artworks in the collection.

Prior to her role as Executive Director of Public Art, Wilkinson was the Helen DeVitt Jones Endowed Manager of Education for the National Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock, Texas. She also has worked as a museum educator for the Lubbock Lake Landmark, Museum of Texas Tech University, and the Science Spectrum and OMNI Theater.

Wilkinson holds two master’s degrees from Texas Tech University—one in museum science and another in education and is currently working on her PhD in Higher Education Administration.

She is currently a member of the City of Lubbock’s Civic Lubbock board and the Vice President for Programs on the Texas Association of Museums’ Board of Directors.

Phone: (806) 742-2116
Email: emily.wilkinson@ttu.edu