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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8470 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8470 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council February 25, 2003 Page 1 of 2 SUBJECT: UPDATE ON ART COMMISSION AND PUBLIC ART MASTER PLAN The City Council created the Art Commission on October 2, 2001 with a primary charge of developing a Public Art Program in the City of Fort Worth. Three aspects of developing Fort Worth's Public Art Program are underway by the Commission in conjunction with the Arts Council, the entity recommended by the Commission and hired by the City to assist the Commission with its charge. These include the following: 1) The development of a public art master plan 2) The artist commission process to create works for the new Convention Center 3) A compilation of City owned public art, and a condition report for the purpose of conserving these works in a phased manner I. Public Art Master Plan The first steps in the development of a Public Art Program was to develop a Public Art Master Plan to determine a complete set of policies and procedures for the program and make recommendations for public art in targeted City developed projects and neighborhoods. Consultants, Jessica Cusick from Los Angeles and-Barbara Goldstein from the Seattle Public Art Program were selected through a competitive bid process by a panel of Fort Worth Art Commissioners to develop the master plan. The consultants will also provide 011 P*guidance to Arts Council staff in administering the first public art commission process for the new Convention Center. The consultants began their work in November 2002 and plan to complete their work by July 1, 2003. The planning process entails extensive individual interviews, focus groups and public hearings to provide information about public art and the planning process in addition to seeking input from all relevant stakeholders in the area. Examples of meetings held thus far include: • Meetings with Art Commissioners to review scope of work, timeframe, develop policies/procedures and participate in the commissioning process for the Convention Center. • Group and individual meetings with City Department Heads and City Manager to provide overview of public art and gain input on projected capital improvements that might be relevant for public art. • Informal meeting with the T-Board regarding the possible incorporation of public art in future transit projects including bus stops, transit stations and in particular Hyde Park. • Meeting with the Steering Committee of the Convention Center. • A public hearing with artists and a public hearing with the general public to inform the community about public art and seek input. Consultants will present a midway report to City Council sometime during an April/May work session that will also seek Council input on proposed policies and future projects. Future planned meetings will include: League of Neighborhoods; the Art Dealers Association; individual meetings with interested neighborhoods; American Institute of Architects; Historic Preservation representatives, continued focus group meetings with artists and other groups as necessary. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS NO. 8470 February 25, 2003 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 2 of 2 SUBJECT: UPDATE ON ART COMMISSION AND PUBLIC 14"3 ART MASTER PLAN Plans are underway to hire a Public Art Director in June who will be responsible for implementing the master plan; to oversee the commission process; and to act as liaison to City Departments on project development and oversight. 11. Convention Center Commission The Convention Center project, which includes funding for public art as part of the construction budget, will be a first pilot project for the Art Commission. The Commission was handed this task because of the background and expertise of its membership and because the project was consistent with its charge. Over the last two months, the Arts Commission has deliberated, discussed, and has determined the Convention Center commissioning process. Given the tight timeframe for having completed artworks in the building, the Commissioners opted to do an artist invitation, as opposed to an open call to artists. Commissioners, area curators and museum directors, and the public art consultants were asked to submit names of qualified artists. The majority of artists are from the area, although a number of nationally known artists have been included. Approximately seventy pre-qualified artists have been invited to submit qualifications. A jury of seven individuals which include a museum director and a museum curator, Commission members, the building architect and the Director of the Convention Center will meet March 14, 2003 to select up to seven artists who will be asked to tour the Convention Center and to submit specific proposals with budget, based on their site visit. Finalists will be invited to present public slide shows of their work to the community and discuss their proposal. The final commissions will be made in June. The City Council will be briefed on the projects prior to any final commissions. Ill. Conservation Report Work is underway to create a comprehensive document for the City that will include a list of all City owned public art, locations, appraised values, history, and condition. The document will provide condition reports, descriptions of necessary repairs and proposed costs for repairs. A qualified area conservator will be hired to produce this document. The document will be used to plan future conservation work for existing City owned pieces. This update is being provided to the City Council as an interim report on the activities of the Art Commission. The staff proposes that in April or May, a Pre-Council presentation will be scheduled to provide the City Council with an update on the Public Art Master Plan by the Arts Council and the Art Commission. At that time, the Council may wish to give the Commission guidance on the Master Plan as well as input on the work of the Art Commission. Should you ha ny q stions or need additional information, please let me know. you ha yny q Ga kso, City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS