Public art is not merely decorative. It is a manifestation of collective memory, shared values, and place-identifiers. In Hawaii, public art takes that conceptualization seriously; so seriously that it is mandated in statute. With the launch of the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (HSFCA) Art in Public Places Collection Database, the public can now access one of the most ambitious state-funded art collections available in an online, searchable database.
What Is the Hawaii Public Art Collection Database?
The Hawaii Public Art Collection Database is a new online portal that makes art acquired through Hawaii’s “Art in Public Places” (APP) program publicly accessible. The APP program is administered by the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (HSFCA) and the database contains thousands of artworks located in schools, libraries, airports, and various public buildings across the islands of Hawaii.
The site is powered by Axiell, an international company that specializes in collection management systems for museums, libraries, and archives. The website is designed with the visitor experience in mind using a simple search process and allowing users to search by artist, medium, place, or specific school or government facility.
Why the Hawaii Public Art Collection Database Matters
Hawaii was the first state in the U.S. in 1967 to create a Percent-for-Art law, which requires the expenditure of one percent of construction costs associated with new state building on public art. This policy has succeeded over the years in growing a remarkable body of state- owned artwork capable of articulating and representing Hawaii’s distinct cultural identity and heritage.
Until recently, there was no clear way for the public to engage in exploring the art collection all together. The new database will be transforming that process and allow for a clear view into the state’s aforementioned support for the arts.
Public access to cultural assets is a foundational principle in democratic societies, and structured databases serve as powerful educational and policy tools.
Key Features of the Hawaii Public Art Collection Database
1. Powerful Search Tools
Users can browse or search for artworks by:
- Artist name
- Artwork title or keyword
- Location (e.g., school, airport, library)
- Medium (e.g., sculpture, painting, ceramic)
- Accession number (for researchers or staff)
Each entry includes metadata such as creation year, dimensions, materials used, and installation site.
2. Statewide Representation
This exhibit includes artwork from all of the islands, but there is a robust collection from Oahu, Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai. A lot of the art is placed at schools and the intention is to help meld art into daily life, “integrating art into students’ daily educational experience”.
3. Support for Native Hawaiian and Local Artists
The APP program expressly supports the commissioning and accessioning of artworks from Native Hawaiian and Hawaii-based artists. With a little time spent searching through the database, notable artists represented include:
- Satoru Abe (sculpture)
- Pegge Hopper (figurative painting)
- Sean K. L. Browne (stone and bronze works inspired by Hawaiian spirituality)
Real-World Applications: Why You Should Care
Educators
Teachers can use the database as a tool for art and history education, connecting students to the works located in their own schools.
Cultural Researchers
The database offers a rich source of metadata for studying trends in public art, the influence of local traditions, and state investment in visual culture.
Artists and Curators
This is a vital resource for understanding what kinds of works are supported by public funding and how art integrates into civic life.
Everyday Citizens
You don’t need to be an academic or a curator to appreciate Hawaii’s public art. This database invites everyone to explore and reflect on the works that make the islands not only beautiful, but meaningful.
Challenges and Considerations of the Hawaii Public Art Collection Database
While the database is a groundbreaking step forward, it’s not without limitations:
- Some artworks are not yet digitized, so the database is not fully comprehensive.
- No high-resolution imagery is available for every piece, which can limit visual engagement.
- Mobile responsiveness is decent but not fully optimized for small screens.
Yet, these are the pains of a system that is likely to change rapidly. Future iterations may involve adding augmented reality, metadata of more depth, and image quality—something we will need as digital access will become more prominent in how we view art.
How to Use the Hawaii Public Art Collection Database Efficiently
Here are a few tips to make the most of your experience:
1. Use Broad Keywords for Discovery
Start with general search terms like “ocean,” “canoe,” or “volcano” to discover themes across different artists.
2. Filter by Location to Find Nearby Art
Looking for art in your child’s school or local library? Use the location filter to narrow down.
3. Explore Artist Portfolios
Clicking on an artist’s name reveals other works by them in the collection. This is especially useful for art students and curators.
4. Check Accession Numbers for Provenance
Each item has a unique accession number—a useful tool for referencing specific works in academic writing or grant proposals.
Is the Hawaii Public Art Collection Database a Model for Other States?
Hawaii’s emerging public art database could spark similar initiatives in other states across the U.S. As the movement for open government data gains momentum in many different policy areas, cultural organizations are starting to embrace the benefits of granting digital access.
What the HSFCA has done is particularly remarkable because it has woven community-based art into educational spaces. At a time when arts education continually suffers from budget cuts, Hawaii provides an audacious counter example: invest in public art, immerse it into the everyday experience of citizens, and, importantly, provide the public agency to investigate it.
Conclusion
The Hawaii Public Art Collection Database is not just a website, it is a value statement. By sharing this collection on a website, Hawaii honors its stated commitment to values of cultural equity, public accountability, and creative learning.
The database should be a useful resource for researchers, educators, parents, or anyone who just appreciates good things, as it will not only give a better understanding of what public art means in the first place, but why it is valuable.
If you’re also interested in researching official entities in the state, check out our guide to the Hawaii Business Entity Search for more state-level public data tools.
Sources
- Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts: Art in Public Places Collection Database
- Governor of Hawaii official announcement: HSFCA Database Launch
- Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts: Art in Public Places Collection Database – Home
