The Texas Tech University System's Public Art Program was initiated by the Board of Regents as an investment in the campus environment and an extension of Texas Tech's educational mission. The Public Art Committee, with the Public Art Manager, commissions original public artworks of the highest quality, be they permanently sited, portable, or architecturally integrated. These works are funded using one percent (1%) of the estimated total cost of each new major capital project. Since 2001, the Public Art Program has commissioned or purchased artworks by some of today's leading artists, including Deborah Butterfield, Terry Allen, Barbara Grygutis, Larry Kirkland, Mike Mandel, Jesus Moroles, Tom Otterness, Shan Shan Sheng, Cakky Brawley, and numerous others.