The SOS! to Wikipedia Process is a systematized way to use the information and images contained in the SOS! Database as a starting point to make Wikipedia articles on a city by city basis. By using this data as a starting point you will begin with one good reference and be on your way to meeting the notability guidelines. 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.
For examples of communities using the process see:
If you'd prefer to work on a single work of public art, consult the New Article Guide.
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, find a city you'd like to work with (cities may have only one artwork, hundreds, or none).
Once you have found a list of artworks, 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! artworks 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 artwork 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 artwork while you are on-site. Upload your photos to a Flickr account.
Update it with the new information found while at the artworkss.
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.
Be sure to note the general Wikipedia Notability Guideline: If a topic has received significant coverage in reliable sources that are independent of the subject, it is presumed to satisfy the inclusion criteria for a stand-alone article.
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. Consider other local and state institutions, including ones that may house the original SOS! survey records.
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.
Upload images from the existing SOS! database and your new photographs to either Wikimedia Commons or Wikipedia.
