Hey everyone,
As we keep growing and documenting more artworks across different types of spaces, it feels like the right moment to clarify one of our core principles: what counts as “publicly accessible” art for the platform.
We’ve always shaped these rules together as a community, so consider this a proposal to sharpen the distinction and invite your thoughts.
Public & freely accessible vs. private access
Since the early daysthe idea has always been that artworks should be publicly and freely accessible to be documented on the map, meaning:
Allowed
Artworks that are:
- Outdoors and visible without needing permission
- In spaces with limited opening hours (e.g., parks, campuses, metro stations, cultural centers)
- In semi‑public spaces where people can enter freely during the day
Limited hours are totally fine, many iconic walls fall into this category.
Not Allowed
Artworks that are:
- Inside private offices
- Behind access systems requiring badges, membership, or explicit permission
- In places where you must buy a ticket to enter
- In fully private courtyards or buildings with no public access at any time
This keeps the map aligned with our mission: documenting art that the public can actually experience.
Good practice: adding an “Access Notes” marker tag
To help visitors plan their trips and avoid surprises, we introduced a “Access notes” field or tag on artworks.
This could include things like:
- “Accessible only during office hours”
- “Gate closes at 18:00”
- “Inside metro station; accessible during operating hours”
- “Courtyard open on weekends”
It’s a small addition that would make the map more transparent and visitor‑friendly.
For more info on the use and what a marker tag is, please read this