Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 01/09/2025

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such descriptive studies provide an assessment of attitudes, opinions, demographic information, conditions and procedures (Gay 2000). This research used qualitative research methods to examine examples of public art implementation, the collaborative process, and the role of the public administrator in this process. This type of descriptive research is defined by Isaac & Michael (1997) as having four primary purposes: 1. To collect detailed factual information that describes existing phenomena, 2. To identify problems or to justify current conditions and practices, 3. To make comparisons and evaluations, and 4. To determine what others are doing with similar problems or situations and to benefit from their experiences in making future plans and decisions. (p. 50) This research increases the understanding and knowledge of local public art efforts and is of value for citizens, elected officials, and public administrators in small cities that have an interest in pursuing public art projects in their community. The three communities chosen represent different types of communities that all have experience with significant public art projects. The contrasting community types to be examined in regard to public art projects include: a freestanding regional center, an exurban community, and a first-ring suburban community. Conclusions will be drawn in regard to the research questions by comparing and contrasting the similarities and differences of these communities. 3.2 Methodological Approach and Rationale This study relies on the qualitative case study method to describe the subjective real- world experiences of city managers in public art collaborations. According to Burns (2000)the job of the qualitative researcher is to capture what people say and do as a product of how they 71