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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPAAC Agenda Packet 6-6-19 Public Art Advisory Committee Thursday, June 6, 2019 3:30 PM Helling 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 May 2, 2019 meeting Artist Studio Tour Proposal – Steve Schuette Review of Performance Art RFP Discuss Draft Public Art Strategic Plan 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 Marcia Bollinger, Neighborhood and Development Services at 319-356-5237 or marcia- bollinger@iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs. MINUTES PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 2, 2019 – 3:30 PM LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM – CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Eddie Boyken, Vero Rose Smith, Juli Seydell Johnson, Wendy Brown, Andrea Truitt, Ron Knoche, Steve Miller NOT PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT: Marcia Bollinger, Morgan Musselman PUBLIC PRESENT: David Keffala-Gerhard, Anne Thomas, Thomas Agran, Steve Schuette, Nancy Bird PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA David Keffala-Gerhard and Anne Thomas, two first-year students at the University of Iowa presented their project—a mural on gun violence to be established in downtown Iowa City—to the Committee. Thomas informed the Committee that last year, school shootings happened once per week on average but that these shootings are not spoken about with the seriousness and attention they merit, which is what Keffala-Gerhard and Thomas are trying to address with their project, so they can start the conversation in their own community. Keffala-Gerhard stated that they chose a mural because it had a sense of permanence that serves as a constant reminder of school shootings and the work that needs to be done to address it and because it could act as a hand raised rather than a finger pointed. Thomas stated that they partnered with Students Against School Shootings (SASS), an organization made up from students from Iowa City high schools, in order to gather their input and ensure that the mural represents their vision. Thomas stated that the mural was designed by the students and that they hope it will be painted in a paint-by-numbers manner to encourage participation by students and faculty of Iowa City schools and, to increase the impact of this project, they would like to have stations outside of where the mural is being painted where eligible students can register to vote and contact their senators to encourage the idea that they can make positive change in their community. Keffala-Gerhard stated that the artist who has designed the mural based on the feedback of these high schoolers is Kate Goodman, a high schooler herself who was just nominated as a finalist in the visual arts category by the National YoungArts Foundation last year, and who plans to pursue an art career upon graduating from high school. Keffala-Gerhard stated that the design for the mural was generated by asking the high schoolers involved in SASS to provide feedback on how they would like to promote their message and start a conversation about the issue through a mural. Keffala-Gerhard and Thomas showed the committee the current proposed design for the mural. Thomas stated that they would like to place the mural on a wall of the parking ramp on Burlington St. and Clinton St. because such a structure provides shelter during the painting process and during the murals lifetime, because the wall is a long and low space which makes it easier to have many people painting at one time, and because it is in a highly-trafficked area of Downtown Iowa City. Keffala-Gerhard stated that they need to acquire permission to use this space and need the art to be approved. Keffala-Gerhard stated that in terms of a budget they believe the mural will cost roughly $1,500 PRELIMINARY because the work is all volunteer, the design has been given in-kind, the Downtown District has also been providing in-kind consultation, and they would like to use high-quality materials to ensure longevity. Keffala-Gerhard stated that they have some funds that could cover this $1,500 partially and, depending on how fast they can get the project approved, plan to start painting as soon as possible with an early fall deadline. Thomas stated that they are pursuing funding and approval of the parking garage space, though they would be grateful for any space they receive permission to paint the mural on. Vero Rose Smith stated that at this point there is not a formalized process for the Committee by which they address project proposals such as this. Marcia Bollinger stated that they are looking to develop a more comprehensive plan to address situations such as this. Rose Smith asked what next steps would be. Bollinger responded that two years ago, a process of making public spaces available for art installations was drafted and that they got as far as determining how that may interact with the pedestrian mall and other high-profile locations, but that they did not get as far as determining how that process would work in interior parking ramps or other buildings. Bollinger stated that these students have not yet received approval for the parking ramp location but that the Transportation Services Coordinator is aware of the project who would prefer to wait until the policy process is completed unless the Committee would like to give a different recommendation. Rose Smith asked what the process of giving a recommendation would require. Bollinger stated that they could suggest that the process still needs to consider on our and end that the proposal would be considered upon a more formal process being developed. Rose Smith thanked Keffala-Gerhard and Thomas for coming to the Committee to present their project. Rose Smith stated that, in order to keep with their timeline, it would be in their interests to pursue a different site for the project, as she believes it is unlikely that they’ll be able to approve the project in time. Bollinger stated that when the strategic plan is approved, the Committee could readdress this project, but that would likely be in August, by which point Keffala-Gerhard and Thomas would like to have the project mostly completed. Thomas stated that their deadline is very flexible, only that early fall would be ideal, but that they understand if that deadline is not possible and are more than willing to change it if need be. Keffala-Gerhard stated that he and Thomas are dedicated to making this project real, as well as the students who have helped create the project, so they are willing to wait as long as they need to in order to have this mural painted in the site they have determined to be ideal. Keffala-Gerhard stated that the sooner they can get the mural done, the better, as the issue it addresses is urgent. Bollinger asked if they had pursued any other locations. Thomas Agran stated that he has been working closely with Keffala-Gerhard and Thomas and suggested they come to the City because he believed the Committee had a process for approving projects such as this and because he believed it would be wise to pursue Council approval potentially. Agran stated that finding an alternative location is not exactly the path he would pursue, rather he believes it is up to the community and artist to identify the location and then up to the Committee to establish a rubric by which they determine if the project works appropriately. Agran asked about murals that have been put up on public buildings already and what the process was for that. Bollinger responded that those murals were different as those murals were initiated by the PAAC, funded entirely through Public Art funds and a Call to Artists was issued for all three locations. Steve Miller stated that he loves the idea of developing a rubric for this situation as a part of the strategic plan, but that doing so is a long process, and asked what the Committee could do at this point to move the project forward. Bollinger stated that they could make a recommendation, but that they initially need to get a review from the staff who are responsible for the facility in which the mural would be painted in case there are concerns or maintenance issues. Bollinger stated that she has spoken with the Transportation Services Coordinator who said that she is more comfortable waiting for a formal process to be designed than making the decision without it. Keffala-Gerhard asked if they could coordinate a meeting with the Transportation Services Coordinator to discuss the project. Bollinger responded yes and that she will connect them. Ron Knoche recommended that they add a discussion of this project to the agenda for next month’s Committee meeting in order to officially voice their support of the project. Keffala-Gerhard and Thomas thanked the Committee for listening to their proposal. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF THE APRIL 4, 2019 MEETING Knoche moved to approve the April 4, 2019 minutes. Juli Seydell-Johnson seconded. Motion passed unanimously. UPDATE REGARDING PUBLIC ART STRATEGIC PLAN PROCESS AND SURVEY The Strategic Plan Subcommittee members reviewed the survey results to the whole Committee. Bollinger passed out packets of the collected written survey responses to Committee members. Bollinger stated that she was impressed with the thought and general positivity of the comments many survey-takers made. Bollinger stated that she and Morgan Musselman will work on creating a list of the comments that emerge the most frequently out of these written responses. Bollinger reflected that the benches and murals seemed to be most popular while the performing arts did not seem to be popular. Bollinger stated that there was a nice blend of demographics in terms of what neighborhood survey respondents lived. Bollinger stated that she found responses regarding the role of public art to be interesting and that the fact that establishing a sense of place and inspiring creativity were popular responses is interesting. Bollinger stated that at the display at the library they got many responses and on the Ped Mall they got about 40 more, which are not included in the packets given to the Committee. Rose Smith stated that the next steps in formulating the strategic plan are the arts professionals meeting on May 9 and the public meeting on May 15, following which they will work on a physical draft about which they will solicit feedback from the whole Committee as the subcommittee continues to be the main authors of the document. Rose Smith asked the Committee what they believe they should ask in the upcoming meetings and what form they should take. Miller stated that the overarching question for him is how to take this data and use it to influence the strategic plan, which means it needs to be broken down into more manageable pieces. Miller stated that they could ask meeting attendees if there is something specific that they would like to see in the strategic plan. Bollinger stated that, if possible, the subcommittee should reconvene before the arts professionals meeting to walk through their goals for the meeting. Bollinger stated that in the master plan created years ago, they just focused on creating zones in which public art could be located but that they didn’t necessarily focus on types of art or the purpose it should serve, etc. and what the survey responses are showing here is that the strategic plan should be broader and more general than the draft master plan outlined. Miller stated that it may be useful to take sections of the master plan and share it with the groups during the meetings in order to generate discussion. Seydell Johnson stated that it could be useful to work on an overall mission statement for the plan, especially in the arts professionals meeting. Rose Smith stated that they will send out survey data to the arts professionals on the steering committee so that they can review the responses and familiarize themselves with ideas gathered from the survey. Rose Smith stated that they can use the arts professionals meeting to brainstorm what would be useful to discuss during the public meeting as well. Seydell Johnson stated that the public meeting would be a good opportunity to test out the ideas/statements created in the arts professionals meeting too. Bollinger stated that she sees the next public meeting as an interactive event. Nancy Bird stated that it looks like, based on survey responses, there is interest in having downtown continue to be a focal point for public art and that it seems to be an area many respondents live near, and asked if the public meeting could be relocated to downtown. Bollinger stated that the location of the public meeting— the Ashton House—was chosen in an attempt to move the discussion out of downtown to encourage a focus on other places. Agran stated that having the meeting in the most affluent part of town and in a somewhat inaccessible place could be a challenge and asked if it could be moved more a more accessible place for the greater public. Bollinger responded that it is too late to relocate the arts professionals meeting from the Ashton House but that the public meeting could be relocated to the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center. REVIEW OF FARMER’S MARKET CALL TO ARTISTS Seydell Johnson stated that she has made contact with the artist the Committee initially decided on last year and that the artist has already fabricated some of the project, so Seydell Johnson would still like to pursue the project and have it completed by the end of the fiscal year. Seydell Johnson stated that artist said she would deliver the signed contract to Seydell Johnson at the end of next week and at the end of every week up to the project’s installation at the end of June, she will send photos on the progress of the piece, and that she will received installation upon installation; therefore, no RFP is needed. DISCUSSION OF UNEXPENDED FY19 FUNDS/PROJECTS Bollinger stated that she would like to review unexpended funds as they are coming to the end of the fiscal year and she would like to make plans and move forward on projects discussed and to which funds were allocated during the budget meeting. Bollinger stated that they had discussed very casually at the last meeting about the Riverfront Crossing Park community art project for which the Committee has $2,000 side aside. Bollinger stated that she is thinking about a project that all age groups could participate in and passed around photos of a birdhouse-decorating idea and photos of a kite-decorating idea. Seydell Johnson clarified that these would not be completed to display in the park, but for people to take home with them. Seydell Johnson stated that the grand opening date is Saturday, July 20. Miller asked when the Snelson relocation will take place. Seydell Johnson stated that it will happen after the grand opening of the park and will likely be complete in the fall. Miller stated that it would be fun to have a standardized kit for either the kit or birdhouse project, whichever the Committee decides, in addition to a bigger competition for artists to complete before the grand opening, at which the winning kites/birdhouses could be displayed. Seydell Johnsons stated that the site is very open and windy, which bodes well for kites, unless it is a rainy day whereas the birdhouses could be done no matter the weather. Seydell Johnson suggested taking the ideas back to the staff who will be working the event and gathering their input. Bollinger stated that the performance art project was discussed very generally, and that the Committee decided they would like to fund a performance-based project because they had never done so before. $2,000 was allocated to this project. Rose Smith stated that because there are so many existing events that involve this component, maybe the Committee should offer these funds to sponsor an event/ public performance that is already building momentum, rather than trying to create a separate event. Seydell Johnson suggested that they use the funds to have family-based entertainment at the Riverfront Crossings grand opening. Agran expressed confusion on what the committee was trying to do with these unexpended funds and asked if they had issued an RFP. Seydell Johnson replied that they had set funds aside for different projects the Committee was interested in pursuing this fiscal year and at this point they are specifically designating those funds. Seydell Johnson stated that they could start arranging public meetings soon for the Creekside Community Garden Placemaking Project to gather feedback on what kind of art people would like to see in the park. Seydell Johnson clarified that the Committee had decided to continue doing placemaking projects with artists Cara Briggs Farmer who completed the Chadek Green project and generated the design by holding public meetings. Bollinger stated that there were $548.74 in extra electrical costs associated with the installation of the City Hall Lobby Art Project that she suggests the Committee cover. Bollinger stated that she also received a phone call from the owner of the property on which the mural alongside the Dulcinea shop is located who requested the Committee’s help in repairing the deteriorating stucco wall on which the mural has been painted. Bollinger stated that the mural was painted in 2001 and in 2009 extensive repair was done on the stucco and the artist of the mural would like to do more repairs this year. Bollinger stated that the Committee is not obligated to fund these repairs, as they were only obligated to help maintain the project for five years after the mural’s completion. Miller asked if the repairs are being done this fiscal year. Bollinger replied that the artist has not started repairs and is unsure that he plans to do so before the fiscal year ends, but that the Committee would make that a requirement upon funding the repairs. Bollinger stated that the Committee needs to use the maintenance funds in some way or another before the end of the fiscal year in order to not lose them. Agran asked if there was no way in the City’s structure that would allow for a carrying-over of those funds, as that is something many other cities do with their maintenance funds, as that could prevent spending these funds on something frivolous and allow the Committee to save up for a large-scale repair of a project when that need arises. Bollinger replied that the way the funding exists currently, they must commit these funds otherwise they lose them. Agran asked if they could use the extra maintenance funds and other uncommitted funds for those who were turned away during the matching funds process to fund their projects. Bollinger stated that she has other ideas as well for these uncommitted funds. Bollinger stated that the South District is working on funding a mural to go on Faith Academy’s wall facing Broadway St. and that they have already gathered about $2,500 and applied for an Iowa Arts Council grant for $3,000 for the project, which is estimated to cost about $13,000 total. Bollinger stated that they are actively pursuing other funding opportunities as well. Bollinger stated that the artist Nick Meister and others working on the project plan to gather public feedback about what they would like to see represented through the mural and that the mural will ultimately be painted in a paint-by-number manner. Rose Smith asked how the Committee could commit funds to this project if the project is not going to be completed within the fiscal year. Bollinger suggested the uncommitted funds go toward this project. Truitt asked if these funds were to be committed to this mural, would they also be able for matching funds later. Bollinger replied that would be up to the Committee to decide. Bollinger stated that she had another opportunity for the Committee to consider. Bollinger stated that she has been working on finding ways of encouraging youth in neighborhoods to get out and get moving. Bollinger stated that there is a program that is a joint project between the School of Public Health and the City called Invest Health that has committed funds to specific neighborhoods that have been shown to have a higher percentage of health issues. She continued that they’ve been focusing specifically on asthma and whether that is directly related to quality of life in a neighborhood. Bollinger stated that they’ve also been working with University health professionals who have committed to helping get children with health/weight programs more active. Bollinger stated that if a doctor writes out a prescription to a parent that prescribes certain activities the doctor wants the parent to do with their child to address a given health issue, there is a higher chance success than if the doctor were to just make an informal suggestion. Bollinger stated that they have talked about hiring an artist to create colorful painted playground markings/games/ activity paths on trail systems to get children and adults engaged in movement. Bollinger showed Committee members examples of these activity paths. Seydell Johnson stated that these would be fun to have close to bus stops as well. Seydell Johnson stated that she has a maintenance idea for the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center. Seydell Johnson stated that they just hung up a quilt in the Rec Center to the right of the STEAM mural near a small reading nook, but that the quilt does not currently have any protective plexiglass around it as that would cost $500 and they do not currently have that money in their budget. Rose Smith asked how the Committee should go about committing these funds. Knoche stated that in the future they should make a request for maintenance funds to exist like a CIP account where the funds carry over from year to year versus the general fund where they go away if unexpended. Agran stated that he was surprised that a consultant wasn’t hired to help with the creation of the strategic plan because those currently working on it are volunteers from the Committee and he wonders if there is a possibility to use some of these funds toward hiring a consultant to help finish drafting the strategic plan. Miller asked what this would cost. Agran stated that it would depend on the scope of their involvement, but that any amount spent would help the strategic plan subcommittee draft the plan. Bollinger stated that part of the strategic plan should also address where the Committee wants to find more permanent, sustainable funding and, once such funding is secured, then they can invest in a far more substantial plan. Agran stated that no matter the size of the budget, there should be a mission statement about how those funds should be spent so that the funds can be used more strategically to fulfill that mission statement. Seydell Johnson stated that, while various ideas for the uncommitted and maintenance funds are being discussed somewhat haphazardly at this meeting, the overall budget for the Committee was discussed thoroughly over many meetings, and that the funds are not being used lightly or without deep consideration of their impact through funding a given project. Seydell Johnson stated that she doesn’t disagree that having a consultant is a bad idea, but for the $2,000 they have available to pay that consultant, they wouldn’t be able to do much more than formatting. Rose Smith asked the Committee if they would like to formally commit these funds to certain projects. Truitt expressed concern over the amount of money going to the opening of Riverfront Crossing Park which, with the grand opening art project and family-oriented entertainment would be $4,000. Brown agreed that this seems like a lot for one event. Bollinger proposed that the Committee uses these funds for a performance art event in a neighborhood, perhaps in the South District, where they could use the funds for a significant and impactful event rather than using the funds to contribute to an already-existing event. Seydell Johnson asked if they could complete an event in such short notice. Brown stated that she had been under the impression that these funds would be used for a specific project chosen by the Committee after issuing an RFP and reviewing submissions. Rose Smith stated that she was also under this impression or that a portion of the matching grant would be specifically used for performance art pieces. Miller stated that if they do decide to do an RFP, they can make that commitment now and avoid losing these funds. Seydell Johnson motioned to designate the $2,000 in performance art funding for an RFP project to fund a community performance event that must be completed by December 31, 2019. Miller seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Seydell Johnson motioned use $548.74 from the intendance fund to pay for electrical costs associated with the installation of the City Hall Lobby Art Project. Brown seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Truitt motioned to commit $500 from the maintenance fund to pay for a protective plexiglass cover to protect the new quilt placed in the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center. Miller seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Rose Smith asked if the mural outside Dulcinea is within the Public Art Program’s inventory despite being on private property and if public funds could therefore be used towards its repair. Bollinger responded that the project was a joint project between the property owner, Dulcinea, and the City years ago and that the contract with them stated that the City is only responsible for helping maintain the mural for five years, so the question for the Committee to answer is whether they would like to continue contributing funds toward the repair and maintenance of this mural. The Committee decided not to continue maintaining this mural. Rose Smith stated that ideally there would be a plan for every piece of artwork in the inventory with estimates of their depreciating costs and of the cost of eventual maintenance, cost of evaluation, and cost of reevaluation. Bollinger suggested that these remaining maintenance funds be used for another project. Seydell Johnson motioned for the remaining funds in the maintenance fund to be moved to be considered uncommitted funds. Knoche seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Seydell Johnson stated that the project that seems most likely to use the funds quickly and in fulfilment of goals similar to the Committee’s is the South District mural. Bollinger stated that the other alternative is that those working on this mural come before the committee in the next fiscal year to request funding, as the mural will not be completed until next year. Bollinger suggested contacting Sayuri Hemann to see if she would be interested in working on the activity path project and, if she is not interested, to select another artist or issue an RFP. Knoche stated that he has concerns regarding liability issues resulting from paint placed on private sidewalks or public sidewalks maintained by adjacent private property owners. Knoche suggested that these activity paths be placed on a trail system or within a public park. Brown stated that she is concerned having these pieces on trails would not actually be conducive to children playing on them, as there are other passersby and bikers using those paths. Rose Smith suggested outside the Recreation Center near the bus stop. Bollinger suggested that the Committee looks for a location that would be most conducive to children regularly engaging with these activity paths. Brown suggested they be placed in school playgrounds. Bollinger stated that this would be possible if the school agreed. Miller stated that that is a highly accessible location. Seydell Johnson suggested contracting Sayuri Hemann so she can explore the idea, and then deciding the location as the details of the project are worked out. Seydell Johnson motioned to use the remaining uncommitted funds to hire an artist, hopefully Sayuri Hemann, to develop the idea of placing fun kids-oriented activity paths at (a) location(s) to be decided at a later date. Miller seconded. Motion passed unanimously. COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS OR COMMITTEE REPORTS Miller stated that John Engelbrecht had sent an email about a watershed public art proposal in Des Moines and asks the Committee to please advertise the proposal to those they know. Bollinger stated that she will forward to the email to Committee members. STAFF REPORTS Bollinger stated that the next PAAC meeting will take place on June 6, 2019 which will be after Arts Fest where they will be hosting Kidztent and that it would be nice to have some Committee members there as volunteers. Bollinger stated that Jason Snell is committed to having a workshop/performance during the Block Party at the Public Library. Bollinger stated that they are still trying to coordinate performances with a junior high/high school-age group and with a younger group of kids. Seydell Johnson stated that at the grand opening they plan to have display boards informing people where the Snelson sculpture will be located. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA Steve Schuette informed the Committee that he is a local artist looking to arrange a city-wide studio tour similar to the one held in Galena, IL called Twenty Dirty Hands. Rose Smith stated that she recently discovered—thanks to the research of an intern at the Stanley Museum of Art—that the Stanley used to sponsor a studio walk in Iowa City, so she is very excited to hear this idea. Bollinger stated that the Committee is more than willing to assist Schuette with this project. Rose Smith stated that the Stanley would also be interested in assisting him. ADJOURNMENT Knoche moved to adjourn. Truitt seconded. Meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m. Public Art Advisory Committee Attendance Record 2018-2019 Name Term Expires 8/2 9/6 10/4 11/1 12/6 1/10 3/7 4/4 5/2 Wendy Brown 01/01/20 x x x x O/E O/E x x x Erin Fitzgerald 01/01/20 x x x -- -- -- -- -- -- Ron Knoche x x x x x x x x x Juli Seydell- Johnson x x x x x x O/E x x Vero Rose Smith 01/01/21 O/E x x x x x x O/E x Steve Miller 02/01/21 x x x x x x x x x Andrea Truitt 01/01/22 -- -- -- -- x x x x x Eddie Boyken 01/01/22 -- -- -- -- -- x x x x Key: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused --- = Not a member