ABSTRACT
This chapter seeks to open fresh perspectives upon the City Beautiful. That it embraced classic-renaissance architecture and monumental planning is not questioned. Small-scale, piecemeal projects played an even more dominant role in civic improvement. Civic improvement began as a laymen's cause and flourished initially in small- to medium-sized cities. In 1900-1901 the City Beautiful movement completed its gestation. The organizations supporting municipal art, civic improvement, and outdoor art began interacting and sharing ideas as never before. By the years 1900-1901 a remarkable variety of groups favored some form of aesthetic betterment. Apart from those already noted–municipal art societies, village and civic improvement associations, various architectural and art organizations, the Chautauqua institution, local and state women's clubs–there was one of special importance, the American Park and Outdoor Art Association.
