About the public art collection in Groningen
The collection art in public space in Groningen reflects the character of the city: it is multifaceted, ranges from centuries-old to contemporary, has local and international allure and was created in a wide variety of ways. Since 2019, the works in the public spaces of Haren and Ten Boer also form part of our collection.
TELLING A STORY
What the over 450 works of art in Groningen (city) have in common is that they almost always tell a story about Groningen and/or a specific place in the city. For example, on the City Balcony, you will find Het Peerd van Ome Loeks (1957) (Uncle Loeks’ Horse) by Jan de Baat; a sculpture that has become an icon of the city over the past 60 years. Under the city balcony, you will find Second Thought, a new media artwork by Giny Vos that depicts the old station building in a new situation. Thanks to computer-controlled LED lighting, the work is constantly changing and resembles an upside-down snow globe.
HISTORICAL VALUE
Part of the public art collection belongs to the cultural heritage. This can be for a variety of reasons. For example, because the works make an important contribution to the commemoration of war victims, such as the Jewish Memorial and St George and the Dragon. Or to keep the memory of important people alive, such as the Joseph Israel Monument.
Some works are of historical value because they were realised in a special way. They symbolise a certain period of time or are by an important artist. And sometimes the works are on buildings that have monument status or belong to the city, such as Het Peerd van Ome Loeks. Others were donated centuries ago (such as the gateway to the Rode Weeshuis Complex from 1627) or were created as part of the BKR scheme (for example, the Jewish Memorial by Eduard Waskowsky from 1977).
Kunstpunt Groningen manages this heritage and tries to protect it as best it can to prevent it from becoming lost or from failing to stand the test of time, because all these works belong to the city and keep its history alive.
MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE
Together with City Management of the Municipality of Groningen, we are also responsible for the management and maintenance of the works of art in public spaces.
Collection
Almost the entire permanent collection of art in public space is collected on this website – including commission descriptions, background information and other facts. We are also constantly realising new works of art, such as recently in Park Meerstad, Wervel in the parking garage of the Groninger Forum, Mysteries of Helperzoom or the Figure Tower in the centre of the Oosterpark neighbourhood.
On this page, you will find commissions that have been realised by Kunstpunt Groningen over the past few years. Here you can read how new works of art are created.