The packet arrived along with the password. 390 applications of public art completed in 2009. And Fred Wilson and I are supposed to co-jury the 40 best?

So many efforts to compare and rank: a no-budget, ephemeral painted snowscape and a million-plus permanent plaza of granite and bronze. A 5-hour, 30-artist free public cabaret and a 6-part suspended wood sculpture donated by its creator.

Time and performance versus place and design? Repeated enjoyment vs. remarkable moment? Is it a greater achievement to create new architectural spaces or reinvigorate depleted historical sites? And sculptures that are reconstituted in diverse sites – are they really new in 2009 or newly contextualized existing works?

If there is any trend in the 2010 jurying for YIR it is that public art has succeeded, wildly.

Completely realized works of art are everywhere, thanks to the generative work, vision and generosity of artists and the unstinting partnership, leadership and vision of arts administrators and commissioners and site owners.

What is certain is that, as we winnow down to 40 great projects, 350 creative efforts will be reviewed, assessed, ranked and culled, acknowledged and thanked most sincerely for applying. These runner-ups, will include the ambitious and innovative, great technical feats to important firsts in a community.

These are the best of times in American public art, civic art, and art in public places. The work and thinking of artists is reified in civic, municipal and publicly sited art projects.