Community Engagement + Public Art
Planned or executed outside of a gallery or theater context and intended specifically for presentation within free and public view, public art is: A) commissioned by a public process; B) characterized by significant community engagement; and C) site-specific, meaning that it is created in response to the place in which it resides.
While the terms community outreach and community engagement are often used interchangeably, they represent fundamentally different approaches to building relationships and creating impact. Outreach focuses on spreading awareness and providing services. Engagement goes a step further—it’s about fostering deep, meaningful connections that empower communities and build a sense of shared ownership and belonging.
We believe that true impact comes not just from reaching out, but from actively involving the communities we serve. Our projects are designed with this principle in mind: to move beyond outreach and embrace community engagement as a cornerstone of our work. Here are some examples of current & past community engagement activities. Have an idea for a future project? Let us know!
While the terms community outreach and community engagement are often used interchangeably, they represent fundamentally different approaches to building relationships and creating impact. Outreach focuses on spreading awareness and providing services. Engagement goes a step further—it’s about fostering deep, meaningful connections that empower communities and build a sense of shared ownership and belonging.
We believe that true impact comes not just from reaching out, but from actively involving the communities we serve. Our projects are designed with this principle in mind: to move beyond outreach and embrace community engagement as a cornerstone of our work. Here are some examples of current & past community engagement activities. Have an idea for a future project? Let us know!
Hui Moʻolelo
Beginning with our third ever RFP (request for proposals) in 2021, artists are now asked to base their initial concepts from an intergenerational talk-story audio recording from our Hui Mo‘olelo program.
Hui Mo‘olelo cultivates stories celebrating the history, culture and sense of place of unique sites throughout the County of Maui. The program was inspired by a 2021 SMALL TOWN * BIG ART project led by artist Leilehua Yuen that trained Maui storytellers through a series of virtual and in-person workshops. The program aims to connect residents and visitors with accurate accounts of Maui history and culture, and ensure that local narratives are passed down. Story recordings are shared via mauipublicart.org/hui-moolelo for public access, the Maui Historical Society archives, and the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.
Through this role of storytelling in our public art projects, individuals build additional connections to the work, reenforcing community bonds and creating a shared space for reflection and dialogue.
Hui Mo‘olelo cultivates stories celebrating the history, culture and sense of place of unique sites throughout the County of Maui. The program was inspired by a 2021 SMALL TOWN * BIG ART project led by artist Leilehua Yuen that trained Maui storytellers through a series of virtual and in-person workshops. The program aims to connect residents and visitors with accurate accounts of Maui history and culture, and ensure that local narratives are passed down. Story recordings are shared via mauipublicart.org/hui-moolelo for public access, the Maui Historical Society archives, and the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.
Through this role of storytelling in our public art projects, individuals build additional connections to the work, reenforcing community bonds and creating a shared space for reflection and dialogue.
Community Panels
Maui public art project opportunities are posted annually as RFP's (requests for proposals) on CaFÉ. Artists share their ideas, samples and references, and a community panel makes recommendations on the most promising projects. Our team workshops top proposals to determine a fit as well as possible activities for broad engagement, mentors, and opportunities to connect to a sense of place. Artists are then invited, contracted and connected to project collaborators.
Community panelists are representative of the RFP demographic and consist of at least five members including: 1) artist or arts administrator; 2) installation/ performance site representative; 3) County staff; 4) community representative with knowledge of assessment and evaluation measures; and 5) project theme and/ or cultural consultant.
Community panelists are representative of the RFP demographic and consist of at least five members including: 1) artist or arts administrator; 2) installation/ performance site representative; 3) County staff; 4) community representative with knowledge of assessment and evaluation measures; and 5) project theme and/ or cultural consultant.
Community Consultations
Community consultations in our public art program involve pairing panel-selected artists with individuals who have a connection to the artist's proposed theme, the artwork installation/ performance site, or the story being told. These community members, referred to as community consultants, collaborate closely with the artists to ensure the artwork resonates with and reflects the community's identity and values. Enjoy our collection HERE.
Artist Workshops
- In 2019, we rented out Sabado Studios to host a pair of free advanced portraiture workshops led by visiting artist Jarus. Artists affiliated with the work space and attracted to this new opportunity participated in an exchanged of ideas while sharing concepts and fresh perspectives for the resulting artwork.
- We engaged St. Anthony Church Cub Scouts (Pack 40) and Girl Scouts (Troop 162) for hands-on workshops with artist Jaclynn Sabado-Eitel for the April 2021 Makai to Mauka Put-In-Cup installation at Wells Park. Knowing that the work would be completed in time for Earth Day, we saw this as an opportunity to expose schools and community groups to a new, accessible means of temporary public art that could be done independently or in collaboration with an exemplary artist. It was also seen as an opportunity to teach youth about Wailuku’s native ecosystem and some of the precious things that make Wailuku unique.
- In April 2023, we asked ʻĪao Intermediate School if they had any interest in hosting a songwriting workshop with artist Tanama Colibri. As luck would have it, they were already trying to write songs about topics being covered in class and were on the hunt for a professional musician. Not only did they create lyrics for one of Tanama's final songs, they also joined her "on stage" for the final pop-up performance at Kalana O Maui.
- Richard at Baldwin & UH (and Sasha at Baldwin)
- Sachelle free class @ Friends & Faire
- Fats pair of mural workshops at Imua Inclusion Preschool
Huakaʻi
- Mural tours
- Make a Wish reached out to us for a mural tour; we additionally programmed two Meet & Greet artist experiences with Kirk Kurokawa and Amanda Joy Bowers
- Da Bee excursions
- WIP site visits (include Mana Wahine @ Imua, PangeaSeed, Edwin/ Stephanie)
- PWF ecotour
- Nonohana Farms meet & greet
- Uncle Skippy Hau oopu explore & discover at Wailuku River mouth
- Zokaites hikes
- Kahoolawe
Talent Swop
- Color blocking w Okdeh & Edwin
- Pinwheels for Peace/ Kirk
- Native Plantings/ Kirk
- Little Free Art Galleries
- Youth Task Force
Participatory Events
- Michael Takemoto's ʻAlalā Renaissance brought pre-registered, socially-distanced artists together in November 2020 to insert hundreds of brightly colored chalk ʻalalā silhouettes throughout town in an expression of hope, rebirth and healing.
- Hepner light painting at school & MHS
- Hui Moolelo Film Fest
- Wailuku Coffee Co & UH Maui exhibits
- Arts & Resilience
- Lanai event 100 years
- Wailuku Library for Wooden Wave + Matthias panels x2 + Library art days
- Alu Like