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
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.
