HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 10286
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 10286
June 25,2019
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
Page 1 of 7
SUBJECT: ICONIC ARTWORKS STRATEGIC PLAN
The purpose of this Informal Report is to submit
Iconic Public Artworks Strategic Plan
BACKGROUND
On January 29, 2019, Informal Report No.10227 was submitted to City Council, which outlined a
brief history of the Iconic Public Artworks Initiative, recapped the recommendations for iconic public
artworks included in the Fort Worth Public Art Master Plan Update (adopted by City Council on
October 17, 2017, as M&C G-19140) and summarized the funds that have been appropriated to
date by City Council for iconic public artworks.
While the Pioneer Tower Iconic Public Art Project continues to move forward,
Iconic Public
Artworks Strategic Plan
For more information, please contact Randle Harwood, Planning and Development Director, at
817-392-3101.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
Iconic Public Artworks Strategic Plan
Purpose
The purpose of this strategic plan is to formulate an overarching approach to Iconic Public Artworks,
based on the Fort Worth Public Art Master Plan Update recommendations, that collectively and
seeks to prioritize the Iconic Public Artworks to take advantage of opportunities to engage with
capital improvement projects that the City of Fort Worth and other entities are planning and
implementing.
Process
On January 14, 2019, Fort Worth Art Commission (FWAC) Chairman Robert Lee appointed two
Iconic Artwork Committees - one to consider an overall approach for Iconic Public Artworksand the
other to study locations and identify potential partners. During the months of February and March,
committee members toured the sites recommended in the Fort Worth Public Art Master Plan Update.
Each committee subsequently convened to discuss their findings and recommendations. Chairman
Robert Lee presented Art Commission on April 8, 2019 and on May
13, 2019, the Art Commission approved the plan for recommendation to City Council.
Overall Approach for All Iconic Artworks
Key attributes for all Iconic Artworks fall into four major categories:
Artistic
Curator-driven artist selection resulting in works on the level of those in museum
collections
Welcoming and accessible (e.g. a gateway in the city or focal point within a park)
Impactful
Have the Wow! factor; Create excitement
Large-scale works in prominent locations with budgets to attract national and
international artists
Respectful
Tied to the past, yet future and forward focused
Dynamic and reflective of all of the citizens of Fort Worth so they see themselves in
the work
Ensuring all steps in the process are viewed through a lens of inclusivity and cultural
sensitivity
Responsible
Universal appeal to visitors and citizens
Embracing and advancing cultural equity
Using City funds to leverage and gather community support and dollars
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Sites and Community Partnerships
Key attributes for Iconic Artwork sites:
Follow the Fort Worth Public Art Master Plan Update outline for locations
Recognize the Cultural District, Downtown, and Stockyards sites are visitor-focused while
also frequented by citizens
Build on existing relationships with visitor, civic, and infrastructure-focused
organizations and private entities
Emphasize the Trinity River sites (various locations) as focused on residents
Look at places of connection, both existing and future
Work toward partnerships to incorporate temporary art exhibits and installations
Art locations should be in existing gathering places to build upon the energy already there
Iconic Public Artworks should take advantage of opportunities to build on capital
improvement projects that the City of Fort Worth and other entities are planning
Project Prioritization and Recommendations
Key recommendations, preferred locations, and proposed order of development of outlined sites:
1. Cultural District: Pioneer Tower (project in progress)
RECOMMENDATIONS:
This is an ongoing project based on existing funds and should continue on the
existing timeline with anticipated completion in 2020
The artist(s) selected for the projection mapping project should be guided by the
overall approach for Iconic Public Artworks listed above, as well as specific input from
the Project Core Team and City staff advisors
2. Downtown: Exterior Work in General Worth Square at the Convention Center
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Utilize available Iconic Artwork funds (less the amount needed for Pioneer Tower), to
seed the project at Fort Worth Convention Center/General Worth Square site
Work with partners to identify an ideal location within the future planning framework
At such time that a financing plan is put in place for the Convention Center allocate
2% for an exterior Iconic Public Artwork
At such time that a financing plan is put in place for the Convention Center allocate
2% for interior artworks for the Fort Worth Convention Center
Seek partners to provide major matching contributions to build toward a budget that
reflects the expectations for this most prominent location
with estimated completion in FY 2024 and/or coinciding with the completion of the
Convention Center Expansion/General Worth Square improvements (see Appendix
for general project outline for this project)
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3. Trinity River: Gateway Park (plus others in a series along the river TBD)
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Approach the Trinity River as a location for a series of public art projects of which the
Gateway Park Project would be the first with anticipated start date in FY 2021 (when
the Park and Recreation Department commences the roadway improvement project)
and completion in FY 2023
Consider partnering with Streams and Valleys, Inc., and other partners to identify
other possible sites for future projects as recommended in Confluences: Trinity River
Strategic Plan
4. Historic Stockyards: TBD
RECOMMENDATIONS:
An Iconic Artwork at the Historic Stockyards should be deferred until new
development has revealed a suitable site with the appropriate attributes (e.g.,
If appropriate, commence this project in FY 2024
The Arts Council of Fort Worth and Tarrant County Inc. has offered to serve as the 501(c)3 entity to
receive funds on behalf of the City of Fort Worth for Iconic Public Artworks. With the approval of the
Arts Council June 19, 2019, the Arts Council will be in a position to enter into
an agreement with the City of Fort Worth to serve as the fundraising arm of the Iconic Public
Artworks Strategic Plan.
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Iconic Public Artworks Proposed Timeline
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Downtown Iconic Public Art Project
General Project Outline
Type of Artwork
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Large outdoor sculptural work at the Terminus of Main Street at 9 Street*
Site
North End of the Fort Worth Convention Center (necessitates an outdoor plaza to be incorporated
with the design of the Convention Center expansion to accommodate the artwork)
OR
General Worth Square (closure of Main Street could create an ideal location for public art)
Budget
Total budget TBD. Currently, a total of $1,335,700.00 appropriated to Iconic Public Artworks from
the Public Art Fund and the 2014 Bond Program is available as seed money for the Downtown
Iconic Public Artwork Project.
Potential Partners
Develop a full vision for each project with a select group of partners, including public agencies,
cultural institutions, philanthropists, corporations, and private developers.*
Iconic Project Core Team
This Project Core Team will consist of arts professionals, leaders from the area where the artwork
will be placed, donors, and institutional partners.*
The role of the Project Core Team is as follows:
To assist FWPA to develop the project descriptions and goals
To inform and participate in artist selection panels
To orient and assist the artist with understanding the context of the project
To represent the project to others in the community
To provide comments to FWPA staff during project review stages
To attend Art Commission meetings as representatives of their communities
To inform City Council member about the project of the project*
*Text from the Fort Worth Public Art Master Plan Update.
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Curatorial Panel
Engage a curatorial panel to nominate artists to develop proposal for each iconic artwork.*
NOTE: It is anticipated that this panel will be made up of a culturally diverse group of highly-
qualified local, Texas and national curators.
Invitational Competition
The panel will invite a limited number of artists to submit qualifications (resumes and examples of
part work). This may be conducted in two stages, with the first phase based on qualifications and
the second based on a proposals.*
NOTE: Details of the process are to be determined and approved by the Fort Worth Art
Commission at a later date.
Artist Selection Panel (Voting)
A nine-member artist selection panel is recommended for larger, high projects and include, as
minimum, the following:
Mayor/City Council Member in whose District the project will be located, if they desire to
serve
Lead project designer, if applicable
One or more practicing artist(s)
Other arts-related professional(s) or knowledgeable individual(s), including curators, art
historians, architects, designers, writers and critics, arts administrators, arts activists or arts
patrons
Member(s) of the Project Core Team whom they elect to serve as their representative*
NOTE: The panel will reflect the cultural and economic diversity of Fort Worth.
Advisors (Non-Voting)
Non-voting advisors may include:
City Council Member in whose District the project will be located if they desire to serve and
have chosen not to serve as a voting member
Members of the Project Core Team who are not serving as voting members
Members of applicable City Board or Commission (other than the Art Commission)
City Department Representative or other City staff, as appropriate*
*Text from the Fort Worth Public Art Master Plan Update.
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