The Broward County Art in Public Places Program was established in 1978 for the purpose of enhancing the County's heritage and promoting a greater understanding and awareness of the visual arts.  During 1994-1995, the Broward Cultural Division initiated an in-depth community planning process to assess the program and make revisions. The result was the passage of a two percent public art ordinance, new guidelines, and a more broad-based artist selection process.  All of this is documented in the master plan entitled Design Broward, published in October 1995.

Reflecting a new focus and direction which shifts the emphasis away from the traditional model of placing paintings and sculptures in public spaces and towards a program that concentrates on enhancing urban design through aesthetic amenities, the program emerged with a new name...
 

Artists are now commissioned at the early design stages of a project so that they may effectively collaborate with the architect as a member of the project design team.  Artists are encouraged to reach out to the community in the early phases of the design process to ensure that the resulting artworks and aesthetic amenities respond to community needs and perceptions.

The Public Art and Design Committee which oversees the operation of the program recommends appointment of seven specialized Artist Selection Panels by the Broward Cultural Council.  The selection process, which includes community and agency representatives, is intended to promote excellence while ensuring fairness, diversity, and sensitivity to the specific needs of constituent groups.