The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports and the Minister of State for Local Government have signed a new instruction to organize and regulate the State Commission for Art in Public Spaces.

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said the new rules will prevent unplanned and unprofessional interventions in public spaces.

The instruction introduces clear rules, professional standards and specific responsibilities for placing artworks in public areas.

Monuments, memorials, busts, sculptures, murals and art installations will now undergo a structured professional review.

Under the new procedure, applicants must first submit their proposals to the relevant municipality. The municipality will review the request and supporting documents before sending the proposal to the ministry responsible for culture through the Technical Secretariat.

The State Commission will then assess each proposal based on artistic, aesthetic, urban and architectural criteria. It will send its decision to the municipality, which will continue with the relevant procedures.

Proposals that do not receive the Commission’s approval will be rejected.

The same standards will apply to all projects, regardless of whether the state, municipalities, private entities, donors or public-private partnerships finance them.

Gonxhja said public spaces shape the image of cities, preserve collective memory and contribute to a shared cultural identity.

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