University Art Museum Connecting Communities to Create Aesthetic Life through Public Art Program: In the Name of the Trees

Abstract

Starting from the theoretical viewpoints of relational aesthetics, the relationship was explored between a university art museum and communities in the Public Art Program—in the Name of the Trees offered by the National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU). Observational and interview methods were used to obtain research materials and explore how university art museums interact with communities through public art exhibitions and strengthen the relatively weak relationships with the community to co-create an aesthetic life. It is also observed how community residents can change their opinions about the university art museum by participating in the public art program. The results show that the university art museum effectively establishes interaction with the community residents through public art programs such as "collection-sharing", "teacher-student co-creation", "artist stationing" and "education promotion activities" and plays an active role in promoting interpersonal communication, sustaining the natural environment development and improving community public space.