Art in Public Spaces

Art in Public Spaces is a program of Nevada County Arts & Culture in partnership with the County of Nevada. Together, we present displays at the Rood Center, 950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City.

Public art must always strive to be physically and freely accessible. It can be for simple enjoyment or carry many meanings. It can be set in stone, span a wall, be ephemeral or permanent. It can be fantastic or representational; tell a story, lend civic pride, and remind us that though we may be unique in our identities, we are one.

Our program is about providing a thoughtful space of belonging for all residents of Nevada County, expressing community values, heightening our awareness, and helping us question our assumptions. Art in Public Spaces acknowledges both our California Cultural Districts, and communities that populate our diverse landscapes. It is for everyone, a form of collective community expression, reflecting our society and opening our civic spaces.

If you’ve visited our exhibitions recently, please take our short anonymous survey.

Current Exhibition

On Display: Sep 21, 2026 - Feb 16, 2027

Opening Reception: Friday, Oct 16 / 4:30pm

Where: Nevada County Government Center — 950 Maidu Ave, Nevada City

Featured artists: MaryJane Ashford Huenergardt, Jeff Bousfield, Jenny Broward, Cindy Buero, Ginger Covert, Shelly Covert, Lorena Davis, Jack Devlin, Anita DuPratt, Jill Erickson, Bob Free, Rachel Gicker, Daniel Gobert, Ruth Goodin, Emily Heinrich, Philip Horning, Therese Iknoian, Joie King, Michael Larson, Beth Leydon, Bob Lickter, Maggie Orion Lickter, Anita Lincoln, Gail Lipson, Debra McBrien, Sonia McNally, Jonathan Morrill, Bishop Randall, John C Seivert, Steve Solinsky, Sarah Thomas, Saxon Thomas, Jerianne Van Dijk, Laurel Vieaux, Elizabeth Winters, Katie Wolff, Boni Woodland, Kathryn Wronski. 

For the historical aspect of the exhibition Nevada County Arts & Culture partnered with the Nevada County Historical Society and HUṠWEJ (formerly CHIRP).

To learn more about 175 partners, please visit their websites. HUṠWEJ: huswej.org and Nevada County Historical Society: nevadacountyhistory.org


2026


Mobilize | Art Inspiring Activism with Wild & Scenic Film Festival

Jan 16 — May 1, 2026

Lavender Glow | Queer Art & Our Shared History

May 26 — Sep 11, 2026

2025

Creative Capital | Cultivating Community with ASiF

Sep 2025 — Feb 2026


Culture in Focus | Celebrating our Cultural Districts with Nevada County Camera Club

May — Aug 2025


We Are Not Strangers Here: African American Histories in Rural California

Jan — May 2025

In March 2025, we assembled a panel of experts to discuss the historical renaming of Johnson Canyon—in case you missed it, check out this video produced by Bitesize Media.

Past Exhibitions