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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPAAC Agenda Packet 8-16-17 Public Art Advisory Committee Wednesday, August 16, 2017 3:30 PM Lobby Conference Room 410 E Washington St AGENDA Call to order Public discussion of any item not on the agenda Consideration of minutes of the July 6, 2017 meeting Discussion regarding allocation of funding of the FY18 Public Art funds (see attached). Discussion regarding City Hall artwork – locations and process Committee announcements or Committee reports Staff reports Adjournment If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this program/event, please contact (name, host department) at (phone number, e-mail). Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs. 2017 Public Art Program Possible Projects • Bus Stop Interactive Art • Artistic entrance to community gardens • Alley Mural Project- Iowa City Downtown District • Poet/Artist in Residence • Local artists creating art that relates to their neighborhoods. (ie. Neighborhood Art project) • Longfellow Tunnel • Matching Funds • • • • MINUTES PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE JULY 6TH, 2017 – 3:30 PM LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM – CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Juli Seydell Johnson, Wendy Brown, Ron Knoche, Erin Fitzgerald, John Engelbrecht, Tam Bodkin Bryk NOT PRESENT: Sayuri Sasaki Hemann STAFF PRESENT: Marcia Bollinger PUBLIC PRESENT: Nancy Bird PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA: There was no public discussion of items not on the agenda. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF THE APRIL 6TH 2017 MEETING Brown stated that she did not state that the Farmers Market mural needed a forever home. She stated that she believes the exact opposite and thinks the mural is ephemeral and does not need a permanent home. It was decided that her quote was taken out of context. Bryk moved to approve the April 6th minutes. Knoche seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. UPDATE ON THE PRAIRIE BOX INSTALLATION AT BLACK HAWK MINI PARK- NANCY BIRD Nancy Bird of the Iowa City Downtown District (ICDD) stated that the Prairie Box installation is moving forward and that the artist, Hannah Givler is working with Raker Rhodes Engineering to ensure that the engineering of the end art piece is sound. The project will cost over $10,000 and making sure the art piece was sound was 30% of that cost. Bird stated that the downtown district has been working with Raker Rhodes to see if they will sponsor this portion of the costs. The other portion will be paid by the Iowa City Downtown District. Bird also stated that this project will be on the council agenda and the Iowa City Downtown District is will be at the meeting to explain the project to the council. Bird encouraged the committee help support the placemaking pilot project. Bird explained that there are 17 initiatives in the ICDD’s strategic plan. She stated that they developed their strategic plan though their legacy board. For a few years they kept the same people on the board to make sure the organization was sound and over the course of time a third of the board will turn over annually. Bird stated that they have added more at large positions and ex officio positions some of which are only one-year positions. Most are ex officio positions help guide the ICDD though challenging issues. Bird stated that the ICDD is looking for the next non-profit to sit on their board. Bird said they are bringing in more part-time workers for of their placemaking initiative. This initiative looked at the current City plans and had members of the community identify where they felt safe or unsafe downtown. Bird said the north end of the Pedestrian Mall was a major area where people felt unsafe. Through design they have attempted to change the space and make it PRELIMINARY feel safer. Bird said the temporary Prairie Box art piece is part of that; the ICDD was given $25,000 (through City Economic Development funding) to activate the Black Hawk Mini Park area from July to October. Bird hopes the pilot may become more permanent in that space if the city gets positive feedback on the piece. Bird stated that one of the goals of the organization is to build an artist industry in Iowa City. Bird stated that Thomas Agran has been brought on part time and is going to be researching what funding is available to allow the ICDD to have a mural program for the alleys in the downtown area. Bird stated that many of the benches downtown are going to be replaced by metal benches and there will be approximately 20 of the old benches remaining. These remaining benches will still be used to display art. Bryk requested that Bird keep the committee updated on the projects that are ongoing so that the committee is up to date. Bird concurred and stated that the ICDD is being cognoscente of that. Bird stated that the Downtown District has some funding for their project, but the funding is not sufficient. Bird stated that investing in the downtown program is the first step for more great things for the neighborhoods. Bird stated that Hannah Givler is set to present her project to City Council on the July 18, 2017. Bird requested that perhaps someone from the Public Art Advisory Committee could attend the city council meeting. Bird stated that the ICDD is considering making a press release prior to the City Council meeting to ensure that there is not any misinformation coming from the media. Bird stated that once they acquire permission to go through with the project, they can start building. The Prairie Box will be up for 2 months. Bird asked if the committee had any questions for her. Bryk asked about Givler’s previous projects. Bryk thought her previous experience working on public art projects would work to their advantage. Fitzgerald asked if the piece was finished. Bird stated that drawings are finished and the materials are there, Givler just has to assemble it. DISCUSSION REGARDING ALLOCATION OF FUNDING OF THE FY18 PUBLIC ART FUNDS Bollinger stated that the budget was increased from $15,000 in FY17 to $25,000 in FY18. The City Manager wishes to focus the additional $10,000 for artwork that will be featured in City Hall. In discussing the other $15,000 left in the budget, Seydell-Johnson suggested funding some interactive artwork in the neighborhoods, especially in bus stops around town. Bryk asked if there are any ongoing neighborhood programs. Bollinger stated that there had been a Neighborhood Art project that occurred for several years but currently there was not. Bryk stated that it would be a good idea to place some interactive art pieces inside a bus stop in a neighborhood that has not been focused on yet by PAAC. Brown asked which neighborhoods might use the bus system most frequently. Seydell Johnson stated that ridership in lower income neighborhoods was always higher but that space may be an issue inside the bus stops. Seydell Johnson also suggested that an artistic trellis or entrance could be installed in one of the community gardens around town. Bollinger asked if there are any park improvement plans currently that art could be incorporated in and Seydell Johnson stated that Creekside Park is losing the mural on its shelter and suggested that could be replaced. Bollinger added that Creekside has not participated in the Neighborhood Art Program. Bryk suggested allocating a portion of the funds to support and partner with the Iowa City Downtown District on their mural project. Brown stated she is not necessarily a supporter of installing more murals in Iowa City. Engelbrecht mentioned the idea of having a poet in residence, or an artist in residence working with the parks of Iowa City. Engelbrecht asked what the committee could do to make the Iowa City Public Art Program more visible. Fitzgerald mentioned the idea of connecting people to their community through art, perhaps by having more local artists create art about their neighborhood. Brown asked if the committee was still committed to redoing the Longfellow tunnel, and Bollinger stated that yes, there was still a commitment to that project but the expenses would be approximately $400. The committee then toured City Hall to evaluate potential locations for public art. COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS OR REPORTS: Seydell Johnson stated that the Farmers Market mural along the construction fencing and landscaping around City Hall has been a success. Bollinger asked her about plans for the old City Hall bell that is located east of City Hall. She stated that the bell is going to be painted, and the bell will be the location for live music at the Farmers Market. Johnson stated that the two new STEAM murals are underway; both will be installed this fall. Bollinger stated that the Kidztent at the Arts Festival was a success and that it generated about $245. Bollinger stated that the library mural “Welcome to Downtown Iowa City” by Thomas Agran is completed. Bollinger stated that the Pheasant Hill mosaic is being repaired; however she has no news on the College Green stairs. Knoche moved to adjourn. Bryk seconded. Motion Passed. ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned 4:37 pm. 4 Public Art Advisory Committee Attendance Record 2016 - 2017 Name Term Expires 3/3 5/5 8/4 9/15 11/3 1/5 2/5 3/2 4/6 7/6 Bodkin Bryk, Tam 01/01/19 O/E x x O/E x X x O/E O/E x Brown, Wendy 01/01/20 -- -- -- -- -- -- x x x x Engelbrecht, John 01/01/18 X x O/E X X X x x O/E x Hemann, Sayuri Sasaki 01/01/18 X X X X X X x O/E x O/E Erin Fitzgerald 01/01/20 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- x x x Knoche, Ron X X X X X X x x x x Seydell -Johnson, Juli X X X O/E x x x x x x Key: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused --- = Not a member