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Wikipedia:WikiProject Visual arts/Public art/SOS to Wikipedia process

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Wikipedia:WikiProject Wikipedia Saves Public Art/Tab Header We are developing The Process as a systematized way to work with the information and images contained in the SOS! Database. Depending on how many works of public art are in your area, you might find it helpful to work as a team or at least with a partner.

If you'd prefer to work on a single work of public art, consult the WSPA Article Template.

The Process

Step 1: Consult the Save Outdoor Sculpture! Database

  • Go to the SOS! Database to find what public artworks were documented in your state.
  • After you find your state, see if there are any in your city, or a nearby city. (Cities may have only one artwork, hundreds, or none.)
  • Once you have found a list of sculptures, click on the title of the artwork for the detailed record. Check to see if there are any images.


Step 2: Verify the Save Outdoor Sculpture! Data

  • Create a new spreadsheet which lists the SOS! sculptures found in the SOS! database, or identify which specific artworks you want to investigate.
  • Go out and visit the artworks, and verify their current location, artist name, title and creation date (as possible).
  • Photograph and Geolocate each sculpture while you are on-site. Upload your photos to a Flickr account.
  • Update your spreadsheet with the verified information found while at the artworks.
  • Acquire existing images from the SOS! database and upload them to Flickr.


Step 3: Find What’s Missing

  • Search for and identify public artworks that were not surveyed by SOS!, or that are new to your community.
  • Create another spreadsheet about these artworks.
  • Visit the artworks, documenting their locations, artist, title and date.
  • Photograph and Geolocate each sculpture while you are on-site. Upload your photos to a Flickr account.
  • Update it with the new information found while at the sculptures.


Step 4: Consult Wikipedia and Prioritize Articles

  • Using your two spreadsheets, search Wikipedia for existing articles. Search a lot and consider the various titles the artworks might have.
    • Is there already a good article on the work?
    • Is there already a “stub” article that needs to be expanded?
    • Is there no article at all?
  • Prioritize the articles to which you want to contribute or create.


Step 5: Research and Edit/Create an Article

  • Consult available printed and online resources to research the history of the artwork. Consider your local library, historical society, tourism department, and newspaper databases. Also consider other local and state institutions.
  • Research the artist who made the artwork. If they are available to contact, they are often a great source of information.
  • Keep in mind that all information on Wikipedia has to have a source. Original research cannot be included in your article.
  • Create or edit the Wikipedia article for your artwork.
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