The concept of providing public art on the Iowa State University campus dates from the late nineteenth century through the hanging of art reproductions in buildings, although no works survive from this period. The early 1900s saw the beginning of the creation of original art and a tradition of painting oil portraits of campus administrators. In 1924 Nellie Verne Walker became the first sculptor commissioned to create original art for the campus. Important murals were commissioned in the 1930s, and many limestone sculptures were created throughout the 1940s. While private donations of art have always enhanced campus surroundings, state funding administered by the Iowa Arts Council ushered in a new era of artistic creation. The Art in State Buildings Program legislated in 1974 provided that one-half of one percent of the cost of a new public building in Iowa be set aside for the creation of original art. The fruits of this important program began to be manifested on campus in the early 1980s with works for the Library Addition, Veterinary Quadrangle, Horticulture, and Music buildings.
From the description of Campus art, 1924-[ongoing]. (Iowa State University). WorldCat record id: 31961627
