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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPAAC Agenda Packet 10-7-21Public Art Advisory Committee Thursday, October 7, 2021 3:30 PM Emma Harvat Hall City Hall, 410 E. Washington *****Note new location for in person meeting***** AGENDA 3:30 PM - Call to order 3:30 PM - Introductions of members and public attending the meeting. 3:32 PM - Public discussion of any item not on the agenda 3:34 PM - Consideration of minutes of the September 2, 2021 meeting 3:38 PM - Updates • Oracles of Iowa City – Reception and Community Conversation • Opening Doors Exhibit – postpone until next spring • Resource Management Building mural – Paint Day 3:50 PM – Longfellow Pedestrian Tunnel – Rachael Arnone, Southeast Junior Hight Art Teacher and students will present their concepts for the new mural design for the Longfellow Tunnel. They are now moving back to the regular Fall painting schedule due to the COVID delay last year. 4:10 PM - Oracles of Iowa City – Public Space One and the Center for Afrofuturist Studies have requested additional funding for the Oracles of Iowa City mural due to expense overages of unexpected lift rental, traffic control and vinyl wrap expenses. 4:25 PM - Continued Discussion of Allocation of FY22 Funds – The results from the public survey have been consolidated into specific categories on a spreadsheet and priority themes have been summarized. The committee should consider selecting priority projects and allocation FY22 funding for these projects at this meeting. 4:45 PM - ARPA Recommendation discussion – draft of memo included in packet 4:50 PM - Artists Registry – Purington 4:55 PM - Staff Reports 5:00 PM – Adjournment To be scheduled: • Discuss categories mentioned in the minutes (“under/over 18,” “established,” “emerging,” and “official” artists) in order for the Committee to have a cohesive understanding of what these terms mean. 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 Preliminary Public Art Advisory Committee September 2, 2021 3:30 PM Emma Harvat Hall Public Art Advisory Committee Members Present: Dominic Dongilli, Ron Knoche, Steve Miller, Juli Seydell-Johnson, Andrea Truitt Members Absent: Eddie Boyken, Jan Finlayson, Nancy Purington, Sandy Steil Staff Present: Marcia Bollinger, Wendy Ford Public Present: Beth Beasley, John Beasley, Maeve Clark, Monica Moen, Judy Pfohl Call to Order Miller called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. Introduction of Members and Public Attending the Meeting Judy Pfohl from the Airport Commission introduced herself. Public Discussion of Any Item Not on the Agenda None. Consideration of Minutes of the August 5, 2021 Meeting Motion: Knoche moved to accept the minutes from the August 5, 2021 meeting. Seydell- Johnson seconded. Approved unanimously. Updates Sculptors Showcase Bollinger said the opening event went well and the artists thought the showcase was worthwhile. She said she has received a variety of positive reviews from many different people claiming that the sculptures were a nice asset to the area. Miller said that his daughter enjoyed the event and they both liked that some of the sculptures are visible from Highway 6. Oracles of Iowa City Bollinger said the Oracles of Iowa City project is officially completed and the last payment has been processed. She said the artist and Public Space One are organizing a dedication ceremony for Monday, September 27th from 5:30-6:30pm. Knoche asked about the wraps around the sculptures and Bollinger said that part was incomplete (they are finalizing the wording and then will present to Staff for review), and it has different funding. Ford asked if they will have any promotional materials and if/how they will be promoting it to the community at large. She said Geoff Fruin said that he would be able to distribute email material to the Council if needed. 2 Kidztent Bollinger said that Kidztent went well even though the attendance was a bit lower than usual, and they produced a total of $209 in funding. She said Anna Clowser played a really important role in this project. American Rescue Plan Act Memo Bollinger said Miller, Truitt, Ford, and herself have been working on a memo that would go to the City Manager’s office from the Public Arts Advisory Committee, and to have a final review next month before it is passed on to the City Council. She said feedback is welcome and they are very flexible. Continued Discussion of Allocation of FY22 Funds Judy Pfohl, a member of the Airport Commission, said that they would be interested in having art related to the airport history on their blue airplane hangars, which are near a major entrance and will get a lot of public exposure. Truitt asked if the requested project would be fully funded by the Public Art Advisory Committee. Pfohl said yes because they have other, more specific, projects that they are funding at the airport. Bollinger said they are still in the preliminary stages of allocating 2022 funds and they will discuss it as a committee, and if there isn’t room to fit the airport project into their FY22 funding then there is always the following year. Miller asked what a rough budget estimate for this type of project would be. Bollinger said it could be whatever the Committee decides to make it. Bollinger said they have gathered a lot of information from their surveys, so now the Committee needs to decide what to do with all of it and how to extrapolate that to specific dollar amounts for funding. She said the results say that the public finds parks to be the highest priority and performance art to be the lowest. Ford said they might have to take some more time to look over everything since it is difficult to extract qualitative date from all of the survey results. Seydell-Johnson said the question of art at Hickory Hill Park seemed to be a common theme, but in their 2016 Master Plan they had decided not to place art in that park, so she suggested that they stick with that decision. Truitt said she was hoping that they would have more requests for murals. Dongilli said he noticed that there were several comments mentioning the airport and others about large gateway installations, and he suggested that PAAC could partner with the Climate Action Plan if funding is an issue since both share common themes. Miller asked when they vote on next year’s budget because it would be helpful to have themes that correspond with their funding allocations. Ford said there is no hard deadline but sooner is better than later. Bollinger said there is still funding from FY21 for some projects, like Lucas Farms and the Kiwanis Park Art Project, which the artist has asked to defer until spring due to lack of contractors, reasonably priced materials, etc. She said they have about $30,000 left in funds to commit for FY22. Seydell-Johnson said she thinks they should go ahead and allocate some of those funds for a project at the airport. Ford said they should look over the information again to try and pull out common themes. Dongilli said the main themes that stood out to him were gateway installations, letting parks settle, and bus stops/access to them. Bollinger said staff will go through and try to pull out more common themes, and they will reconvene next month to hear thoughts and suggestions from the rest of the committee. Opening Doors Exhibit John Beasley said that he has started purchasing and painting on old doors from the salvage barn for fun, and that the project and its concept have been very well received by friends, their 3 kids, and different businesses in town. He said he has distributed between 15-18 doors for interested individuals to use for their artwork, and they have mounted these doors on a property owned by members of his gardening group. He said they have a very creative and eclectic grouping of doors and thinks this could be a fun exhibit to expand to the Iowa City Farmer’s Market to showcase for a weekend. Miller asked if he is proposing putting them in the park or the garage. Beasley said he would love to put them in the green space of the park outside to make it easier to mount them and for maximal viewing. He said his group would deliver, install, and take them down, but it would be helpful to have someone from the City to help advise the process. Seydell-Johnson said she isn’t sure that putting stakes down would work due to the newness of the park, but maybe some frames could be built so that the doors could stand up on the cement. She also said they have an upcoming project in that park that doesn’t have a specific date just yet, so she is hesitant to offer availability until they know the scheduling, but if they placed the doors on the cement that would not interfere with anything. Beasley said his concern with doing that is that the doors could be taken. Seydell-Johnson said they could put them inside the Chauncey for greater visibility. Monica Moen, an affiliate of the Chauncey, said they can display them in the building, but they thought that a display in the park during the Farmer’s Market would encourage greater viewing and interaction from people of all ages. She also said that a lot of “non-artists” participated in this project and were able to create something beautiful, and she thinks that is an important message to send as well. Ford suggested displaying the doors on the concrete during the day of the Farmer’s Market and moving them to the inside display for the rest of the weekend. Seydell- Johnson said she is in favor of making this project happen, and that they would just need to get a free public event permit from the City Clerk’s office as well as approval from other groups involved for the project to occur. Motion: Dongilli moved for PAAC to support the Opening Doors Exhibit. Truitt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Public Art Matching Fund Application Review Bollinger said they received a lot of feedback and the Day of the Dead project ranked highest. Knoche asked if the applicants who have a current contract in place and have not yet finished their project will be deducted points. He also said that it seems a bit unfair for new artists who have not had a previous project with PAAC. Bollinger said that that section regarding existing projects doesn’t really fit into the rubric as a whole, but it is certainly something that the Committee can discuss. Truitt clarified that they have $20,000 allotted for Matching Funds for FY22. Motion: Knoche moved to fully fund the Phospheresce in Sympathy, the Juggling Performance, and the Day of the Dead Ofrenda projects. Seydell-Johnson and Dongilli co-seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Bollinger asked when the Committee would like to schedule the next round of Matching Funds. Seydell-Johnson suggested March. Artists Registry Discussion (Purington) Bollinger said that her discussions with Purington about the Artists Registry involved Purington’s interest in seeing it be much more dynamic and active to draw people in from all over (not just Iowa City). Bollinger said it is currently a very simple site so there are improvements that can be made, and staff is currently having discussions on whether to find someone internally to do those or if they should outsource. Truitt asked if this was something that they could partner with 4 Johnson County on for help with funding and outreach. Knoche suggested that someone from the Committee present to Geoff Fruin, the City Manager, about why this database should encompass more than just Iowa City. Staff Reports Bollinger said the Community Paint Day for the mural on the Resource Management Building is Thursday, September 23. Adjournment Knoche moved to adjourn the meeting. Seydell-Johnson seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 4:55 p.m. 5 Public Art Advisory Committee Attendance Record 2020-2021 Name Term Expires 11/5/20 12/3/20 1/7/21 2/4/21 3/4/21 4/15/21 5/6/21 6/3/21 7/1/21 8/5/21 9/2/21 Ron Knoche X x X X X X X X X X X Juli Seydell- Johnson X x X X X O/E O/E X X X X Vero Rose Smith 12/31/20 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Steve Miller 12/31/20 X X X X X X X X X X X Eddie Boyken 12/31/21 X X X X X X X X X O/E Jan Finlayson 12/31/20 X X X X O/E O/E X X X O/E O/E Nancy Purington 12/31/22 X X X X X X X O/E O/E O/E O/E Andrea Truitt 12/31/22 X X X X X X X X O/E X X Dominic Dongilli 12/31/23 X X X X X X X X X Tonya Kehoe 12/31/23 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Sandy Steil 12/31/23 O/E x X X X O/E X O/E O/E X O/E General Comments No Art in Nature: bright green 16 Most popular places: teal 15 Community Accessibility/ Socially Conscious: purple 14 Murals: pink 12 City Owned Public: orange 11 Art in Parks: light yellow 6 Art in Neighborhoods: vibrant blue 6 Gateways: blue 6 Complaints on Oracles: bright orange 5 Community Participation: light green 4 Unexpected Art: yellow 3 Miscellaneous What is Unexpected Art? What kinds of unexpected art do you want to see? Unexpected Places: dull orange 11 Trails, gardens: light green 8 On Streets, Sidewalks, Overpasses, Alleys: bright orange 5 Murals: light yellow 4 Performances: bright yellow 4 Surprising: pink 3 Don’t understand/No/Non-political: dull blue 6 Yes/Okay: light gray 3 Original responses (listed below): teal 45 Miscellaneous Specific Responses Definition/Descriptive Words Types of Artwork/ Art Ideas Ideas for Locations • surreal • not political, no fads • not serious • tiny, small • colorful • come upon by accident • asks you to look at space in new way • both intentional and unintentional • fun • incites wonder • takes risks • intimate (art objects) • clever, funny • thought provoking • graffiti • art in trees • high above or low to the ground • celebrating Iowa City as city of literature • borrowing or rotating art • sound installations • sensory thresholds • art incorporating already existing damage • painted rocks • storytelling • public poetry/writing • on city property • parking ramps • public restrooms • city buses • in shelters • art on city vehicles • like Rockefeller Center of Iowa City • in neighborhoods by artists in living those neighborhoods • challenging • inventive • participatory • movement • hidden • entertaining • pop-up • temporary • painted steps, crosswalk, specifically for LGBTQ+ PRIDE • geocaching • zines • inventive outdoor seating • small displays or installations around town What is Functional Art? What kinds of Functional Art do you want to see? • Benches/Seating: light blue 22 • Bus Stops: bright orange 7 • Fountains: light yellow 7 • Interactive: pink 7 • Streets/Wayfinding: yellow 6 • Signage: bright pink 5 • Bike Racks: bright blue 5 • Garden/Greenspace: light green 5 • Original Responses: teal 38 • Miscellaneous Specific Responses Definition/Descriptive Words Types of Artwork/ Art Ideas Ideas for Locations • functional objects done in a more artistic and interesting way • multi-purpose • useful • motion • non-political • art with a purpose • public focus for activities (places to sit, dance, listen) • adds to existing culture • art to sit or ride on • art that has a purpose • artfully designed public/utilitarian spaces • making things attractive • Black freedom art • bicycles • no murals • main lighting • activated staircases • baskets on trees to collect food donations • extension of CoSign program • decorative cans for trash • maker pieces • art doubles as amenities for unhoused people • edible park • splash pads • in city buildings • adding art to existing structures • art incorporated into all new city projects/buildings • art around sewer drains • decorative bike tire fill up stations • themed playgrounds • paintings on utility boxes • shade structures • sculptural play grounds • gateway arches • nesting boxes in the parks • covered bicycle/electric scooter parking • wishing well for donations to local human services charities • outdoor theaters • art for children • statues of historical figures, plaques of historical significance • citywide Christmas tree • play spaces • artistic light posts • paintings on electrical boxes • ceramics sale (from local artists) in collaboration with coffee shops in parks (people could buy a piece and have it filled with coffee) What is Ephemeral Art? What kinds of Ephemeral Art would you like to see? • Weather or Nature related: light green 22 • Performance: light yellow 7 • Projection/Video: light pink 5 • Original Responses: teal 23 • Confusion: yellow 20 • Miscellaneous Definition/Descriptive Words Types of Artwork/Art Ideas Comments/Concerns • seasonal • nature takes away • visible only for a short period of time • participatory art • temporary • temporary installations • art leaves a lasting impression, even though it doesn’t last • community events • beauty that stimulates thought • • Andy Goldsworthy • tree huggers • snow sculptures • flower mandalas • chalk art • natural materials • mud or snow to melt, dissolve, be taken over • changes with daylight, season, time • molding land or water • through parks and rec program • birdseed mandalas • artwork with rain, bubbles • eco lanterns • topiary • art with creeks/rivers • nature downtown • art that’s only visible when wet • skywriting • banners • flip book • The Loop • something like AIDs quilt • tunnel murals, pop-up displays • wheatpasting • too easy to miss it • lots of people don’t know what it means • useless • would rather see nature • don’t want to spend funding on it • waste of money • involve children and college students What is Private Property Art? What kinds of Private Property Art would you like to see? • Don’t Agree/Should be Available to Public/Not Sure What it Means: light blue 20 • Murals: light pink 11 • Natural: light green 9 • Original Responses: teal 38 • Miscellaneous Types of Art/Art Ideas • yard sculptures • gate or fence art • flowers • encouraging homeowners to use native plants • art displays cultures of immigrants in IC • neighborhood art events • site-specific installations • on well-traveled streets • walking tours • working in “underprivileged areas” • Free Little Art Display • mini libraries • community project to display in windows • art makes people think • tells a story • window painting contest • porch concerts • neighbors work to activate space between homes • inside buildings • artwork loans • chainsaw tree stumps • beauty and color • SMIDD • in HOA neighborhoods • private sculptures viewed publicly • mini sculpture garden • fountain sculpture • works by UIowa MFAs • show history of location • upgrade Longfellow Historic Markers • along the interstate • zine sales at local businesses Potential Public Art Projects in Iowa City 1 / 4 Q1 Please RANK 1 through 8, the following locations and types of art with your own priority of importance. 1 = highest priority, 8 = lowest priority. Answered: 223 Skipped: 4 Parks (e.g. Hickory Hill... Trails (e.g. Court Hill... Buildings and grounds (e.g... Sculpture Showcase... Black Hawk Mini Park Performance Art Matching... Large Gateway Installation... Community Participator... 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Potential Public Art Projects in Iowa City 2 / 4 26.73% 58 22.12% 48 15.67% 34 9.68% 21 7.83% 17 4.15% 9 8.29% 18 5.53% 12 217 5.77 9.68% 21 16.59% 36 15.67% 34 13.82% 30 11.52% 25 11.52% 25 9.22% 20 11.98% 26 217 4.68 14.68% 32 13.30% 29 14.22% 31 18.35% 40 12.84% 28 10.09% 22 7.34% 16 9.17% 20 218 4.93 4.29% 9 13.33% 28 13.81% 29 17.14% 36 19.52% 41 14.29% 30 7.62% 16 10.00% 21 210 4.42 4.69% 10 6.57% 14 8.92% 19 12.21% 26 16.43% 35 21.13% 45 16.43% 35 13.62% 29 213 3.74 8.06% 17 7.58% 16 8.53% 18 8.53% 18 10.90% 23 14.22% 30 18.01% 38 24.17% 51 211 3.58 19.63% 42 8.41% 18 9.35% 20 12.62% 27 9.81% 21 14.02% 30 13.08% 28 13.08% 28 214 4.56 13.49% 29 11.63% 25 12.56% 27 8.84% 19 9.77% 21 11.16% 24 19.07% 41 13.49% 29 215 4.33 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 TOTAL SCORE Parks (e.g. Hickory Hill, Waterworks Prairie Park, Fraunholtz-Miller, Hunters Run, Peninsula Park, Waterworks Prairie Park) Trails (e.g. Court Hill Trail; Iowa River Trail); Buildings and grounds (e.g. Airport, Animal Services, Eastside Recycling, Ashton House grounds or interior display space Sculpture Showcase Expansion (adding 3 more sculpture pads and temporary sculpture exhibits to the 5 new ones established in 2021) Black Hawk Mini Park Performance Art Matching Fund Large Gateway Installation (e.g. Dodge Street, Waterworks Prairie Park, Old Highway 218 entrance) Community Participatory Art Potential Public Art Projects in Iowa City 4 / 4 87.38%90 94.17%97 82.52%85 81.55%84 Q3 Get creative! Please tell us what the following CONCEPTS prescribed by the 2018 Strategic Plan and prioritized for consideration mean to you. For each concept below, describe what you might like to see. Answered: 103 Skipped: 124 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Unexpected Art Functional Art Ephemeral Art Private Property Art Feel free to provide a comment regarding your top locations or additional locations not listed above. • I favor existing venues the art will be widely viewed. • More community oriented programs, events and performance art. Less sculpture parks. • I’d like to see some sort of lottery for local artists to create art on buildings. • I really like public murals. Color in different spaces is so uplifting. • Art near trails and Hickory Hill could also help with wayfinding. • Other blank walls and empty spaces throughout the city and surrounding areas.....schools etc • Community areas • I really think art in the parks reaches a lot of people and brings it to all ages • Weatherby, Robert A. Lee (it is boring for a rec center) • Parks, trails, and that's it. They are the real keepers. The rest are just a place to spend money and not nearly as important. • Placing art in functional spaces increases daily interactions • No more controversial art on the parking ramps that are social injustice related. High end graffiti is not art. Art for the community should be calming not inciting and polarizing. • I'd like to see some more neighborhood art if possible, and more murals - especially in lower income &/or run down areas of town. • Traveling art installations, art shows • None • I like finding art in unexpected places • I would not like to enter Hickory Hill Park snd see sculpture. When I go for a walk in the woods, it is to get away form man-made forms. Any park that is wooded needs to be left as is. A sculpture park is excellent and sculpture downtown and near buildings adds character and culture to our city. • Areas frequented by college and younger students. ICPL for example. Elementary school junior high and high school properties. The Senior Center. • I don't know what most of them mean. I wish you would have included a short description. The art should go in the spots that are the most visible or spots you want to promote, like Ashton House. • Consider placement on small plots of city property in neighborhoods. • We really appreciate the art that is going up on the City Refuse building next to the Bike Library. There's not a lot to look at over here and this is going to not only help transform the space but be a beacon of light for even better community spaces to come in this and surrounding areas. I would recommend doing more on the south side of town too. The Mural on Broadway is a great place to meet up for community bike rides! • I like the murals • Would love to have a sculpture park like the Pappajohn park in downtown Des Moines • I only chose my top two because I do not think every park needs an art object and without knowing what the general concept is for public art. I think it would really help to have things that are accessible from the trails. I think Iowa City seems to do better with smaller scale art installations. • Public school grounds • I'm very concerned about the verbiage in the new art feature on the downtown parking ramp. It's very striking and I'm very supportive of starting discussions on race and equality, but I'm concerned that "weaponize" might be misinterpreted. • Please work hard to be sure the art you pick wasn't a joke on the simpsons at some point. • Work to support ways to include the most people in projects. • Public art inside or on city buildings. Something that the community can help with and gets a refresh every few years. • Providing opportunities for the community to participate in art creation should absolutely be a top priority. Too often, public art can feel like dictation instead of a conversation. Reminding community members that they also have something to say drives communication and understanding. • N/A • art everywhere! • The best way to do "community participatory art" would be through the establishment and funding of an arts center. The arts environment in Iowa City is currently dominated by the university and organizations that are focused on consumers, not makers. There is a wide range of makers in the community who could contribute to a bottom-up, grassroots arts scene if given support in the form of makers' spaces. • I do not think this is a priority at this time for the City. I would rather see more natural/restored habitats. • Establish an art center where citizens can have studio space, lessons could be offered to all ages, and work could be displayed. The city really needs something like this. • Don't forget the smaller neighborhood parks (and there are many) • Please keep nature (trails, parks) natural. • I think utilizing buildings at the airport for art is a fantastic idea, as it's a gateway to our city for so many people. • Some stoplights and stop signs within the city on Major arteries where buses drive. • Stop putting up more Book Walks in the parks. The parks should not be riddled with signage any more than they already are. Do some murals that address the history of Iowa City and get away from the bright colors/happy flower/sailboat ones that are already too many, it’s like IC is becoming a child’s kindergarten room. • We get a lot of traffic at the airport from many places and we don't have anything there. • Not art necessarily, but partially enclosed plexiglass shelters next to walking/bike trails with a bench would be nice to get out of rain or cold wind during the winter while out walking or biking or for people waiting for bus. • I think installing public art on our gateways will be a great way to greet visitors to our community • Please no human made art in our natural and restored parks and trails. • Mural on airport hangars instead of blank wall entering Iowa City from the south. • I think MERCER park area is so well used that we need to keep funding that area. • Bus stops. • Love the temporary art project, especially the one at Mercer Park! Thank you!! • How about regular neighborhoods? We have tons of walkers and bikers in Morningside; a sculpture in the hood would be amazing. • I do not want new installations installed on/in existing green spaces/natural areas. • I like projects that provide wider access to art throughout the city, however I want work by real artists not lazy "community" projects where any random person paints benches and Herkys. I like that the Kenneth Snelson (Four Module Piece Form 2) was moved to that new park, but I think the positioning atop large stands is questionable. • I feel that nature is the best art, and we need to invest in it to preserve it for future generations. • Hickory Hill has such big wide open spaces, it would be beautiful to have large sculpture installations throughout the park. • Art in the parks should be well-placed and not in conflict with the natural landscape. Also, please do not include statues/busts and/or "Herky" displays. These are the least interesting forms of art. We can be more imaginative than that. I'd love to see the literary motifs/quotes refurbished along Iowa Avenue. • No thanks • Larger, interactive displays tend to create a buzz and traffic that creates a focus for other events that can be based near/with them. I just feel they add greater overall benefit, and even though they don't create as much diversity of product, they can be used as a launch pad for other smaller works in all form and media • Public art is a waste of public money which can be better used to expand mental health services in the city. • Murals help to revive and brighten tired, old spaces. Sides of bridges are one area that are tired, old and very visible. They are at our gateways and are within in the view shed of many icon vistas, i.e. Iowa River and University. For decades, anytime there is national coverage of an Iowa Football game at some point the broadcast shows a shot of the Iowa River and every rusty, old, shitty looking bridge. Anytime anyone enters town and heads north on Riverside they drive under a old, rusty, shitty looking bridge. You wanna make an impact, elicit a buzz and instantly change the look and feel of town, while giving a permanent fixture for public art…mural the bridges. Yes, it will take coordination/consent from other agencies, that should not be an excuse use not to do it. Adding a piece of art work in some obscure location, on a trail or in a park or downtown or on the side of a remote City building is a waste. Mural the bridges. -Zachary Hall 1508 Glendale Rd zacharyleighhall@gmail.com • I would support more murals and neighborhood art. I'm thinking of the downtown murals or the Broadway mural in the South District. • I really did not understand what I was supposed to be ranking on the survey. I love Hickory Hill, and it's important to me, but I don't think there should be art there... • City Hall and parking ramp across from City Hall. Recreation Center downtown. • I would like to see more public art projects in the south district neighborhood, particularly murals. I am less interested in art installations in parks and natural areas unless they do not disturb local habitats and encourage respect for the natural environment. • The top 3 are my favorites by far. I love all the murals going up downtown but I would love to see more of everything in locations further out such as Wetherby Park, Scott near Eastside recycling, maybe 1st ave somewhere. • Appreciate when Art can be incorporated on and around existing buildings. • would love to see more of the parking ramps with art, such large canvases, sure to have impact. Would love to see a mural celebrating Arts Fest or Jazz Fest be painted in Black Hawk mini park. • I would like to have something like the Herky sculptures all around town again--destination events that allow people to visit multiple places. I would like to see artwork when people enter the city like by the skateboard park or off i-380. • the more accessible for pedestrians, the better. • Would really love to see more art by a variety of local artists, not dominated by one white guy and not solely based on previous large work experience. Even if the city has to invest in helping artists who need help figuring out how to install first time large scale work. • Ped Mall • No need for art on nature trails. Nature is art! • The trails and parks have become even more important during the covid epidemic. I and many of my neighbors center daily activities around them. • Airport needs new artwork to replace the old military plane currently in place. The current display does not reflect to character of Iowa City, and the location is a gateway to visitors coming in through the Airport and by car from south of Iowa City. • City owned public space that is protected, but also has traffic. • I would love to see new sculptures installed in the Northside Marketplace area to compliment the new, beautiful murals. I would also love to see additional artwork installed along the Iowa River Trail, at and between the Riverfront Crossings Park and Terry Trueblood and the South District. I love the idea of gateway artwork at or near major intersections! I would also like to see the Iowa Avenue Literary Walk expanded east. Finally, I think it would be great to see all of the murals downtown and the Northside complimented with nightime lighting so people can enjoy them and take photos of them at night. This would also improve safety and wayfinding. • I love the idea of large art welcoming folks to the city - it sets a tone. Those things also become symbols of unity for the community, if done well. • I didn't move any of the items. I don't know what most of these are so how can I rank them. Why didn't you provide any definitions or photos in your survey so people understand what you are asking them? • Gateway installations serve few people in terms of actual enjoyment; funds there would be a waste. • Please let it be art and not just someone trying to offend the maximum number of people. • More art installations and activities to benefit the homeless and other underrepresented or vulnerable populations. Especially in the area around Shelter House and other social service agencies. • We are losing green space for adults and kids to play in and walk through. Please do not take away grassy areas or sitting areas. I like temporary art because if it's bad, we're not stuck with it. Performance art is good too. • Art and twinkly lights on the Burlington Street, Benton Street, and other bridges? More murals on the sides of boring gray buildings. Art outside Oaknoll and other senior living centers? • I really enjoyed the bench painting downtown when that started, it offered a way for seasoned artists as well as just individuals or families that wanted to do something fun to do. I think IC has a tendency to get too snobby about art given that we do have a lot of talent here that it makes it inaccessible to the general public and doesn't encourage budding artists. Maybe some help in how to make a drawing or idea into a mural? I think many people want to contribute but it feels very intimidating. • Please, for heaven’s sake, leave nature areas as nature. There has been far too much parks Dept intrusion into natural environments, which is what we need most. Art in public spaces should be in downtown areas, on buildings as IC has done very well with, and other community spaces. Leave the trails, parks, and nature areas to their more naive state! • Locations should be easy to get to for everyone (people with disabilities or problems with mobility). • Personally I think publically funded art should be placed in areas that are most accessible to the general public , including ADA considerations. Public bldgs and various entry points to the City should be of high consideration • Would have been nice to know what ‘large gateway’ means. I imagine a structure that spans the road, as in something like the entrance of the OK Corral. Should have Iowa City written on it, or, better, the name given to this area in a First Nations language. • Nothing to add to the above, but can I use this space to suggest we go for aesthetically pleasing art that doesn't need social commentary attached to it? I'd like to see public art that unites us rather than divides us. I also think community members use our public spaces to get a break from divisive things they see online. • I think a gateway project would be great to further Iowa City's brand and differentiation. • I believe natural areas like Hickory HIll Park should stay natural. • Black Hawk mini park should have contextual design related to local Native American tribes/nations. • The gateways into our City could have something that defines it and gives it some presence. • Art where the public can see and enjoy it. Downtown is the heart and parks are the arteries! • I feel that I would want to see key areas that aren't like Hawkeye, Little Hawk or Trojan/Women of Troy Pep Rallies. • Some public art around City Hall would be nice--it's a high pedestrian street and could potential add to the public spaces in that area on Washington Street. Same for the Senior Center and areas around the Public Library. All public buildings should incorporate public art inside and out. Parks have their own beauty--be cautious about art installations that can potentially disrupt an otherwise meditative or personal experience or even compete with the beauty and artfulness of nature/the park itself. I'm a strong supporter of public art, but also a strong proponent of high quality industrial design for utilitarian objects in the public space--we seem to be lacking good/high design in a lot of our more mundane, utilitarian spaces. The Court Street Transportation Center incorporates art as part of its design. Could the City do that with other parking garages and other more utilitarian spaces? (and please, I'm not talking about murals-- we're kind of mural-ed out.) Is this something that Public Art can take on--maybe start the conversation with Public Works? There are certainly examples of cities that are doing design, along with public art, well. • No social consciousness murals on a large scale • I like when the art adds to the "place making" of current public spaces. • I would love for funding to go to all of them. I'm still super supportive of #8 despite being listed "last" in the list • More downtown murals • It would be nice if something was done with all of the cement walls along Riverside Dr by the law building. It is really an eyesore. Expand out from downtown. • I want to see community participatory art in the South District, utilizing the artists that live there and engaging young people. • Where the most people can see them. Get creative! Please tell us what the following CONCEPTS prescribed by the 2018 Strategic Plan and prioritized for consideration mean to you. For each concept below, describe what you might like to see. Unexpected Art • Would like to see interesting art that rises above the current artistic or political fads, so will have lasting value. • surreal, maybe something crazy that doesn't doesn't serisous but has a deeper meaning • Unexpected ways of celebrating Iowa City as a city of literature • Pop-up performances, happenings • Absolutely. • Surprise art...for example....descending Spider-Man from ceiling in N orth librty Public library • Maybe incorporate new styles, like graffiti, or unexpected places • Okay • Art in places like Alleys, or small art in trees that you have to search to find • parks and trails • seated on a bench, looking like a human.. • Something that surprises me • Art in an unusual location or presentation • ? • art from other places (borrowed from other museums), temporary art like Banksy graffiti etc students/residents could do in secretly assigned spots rotating volunteers monthly • sculpture on a trail- 1 • Tiny, colorful, out of the way • Same as above. It’s fun to find art in unexpected areas • In unexpected places, high above, low to the ground. • Contrasting shapes (w/ landscape/context), unexpected styles, colors • Street Performers • Placement in or on smaller parcels of city property • Non political • Art that you come upon by accident along walk ways or roadways • Art that pops up where you do not expect it or that involves an unexpected object (say a lightpole or a street median) as its foundation or an electric transformer or dumpster or manhole cover. It should look at the space or setting in a new way. I like it best when the interpretation does not scream "I am an art object" but makes you see something beautiful or reimagines an object or space in a new way. • No more murals! • Showing up in places that surprise me • Pop up community parties where we all make something • None • art that is both intentional and unintentional for example a walking bridge that has different bottom halfs of people, like a wheelchair, athletic legs, high heels etc. the top could be clear so you see people walking through but the bottom show cases that anyone can be anything • Sound installations, sensory thresholds, art incorporating existing damage • figures in flowers/shrubs • alley way murals are great, things painted on the ground, fun little things • garden/landscape art • The murals around the city are a nice surprise. Painted rocks • yes, delights! • Love the murals and being surprised by sculptures on trails • Fun to come upon. • Made from recycled material • along a trail art that tells a story like scenes from wind in the willows bk • Maker pieces • Sculptures tucked in res neighborhoods and in city buildings • performances • dynamic permanent public sculpture, artwork that shows an expanded idea of public art, interdisciplinary projects (STEM-related, research, art/activism, collective projects) • Any art that I can do more than stop and stare at feels unexpected. Art that you can interact with even if it means just walking through/underneath feels engaging. • abstract sculptures in meadows, along trails, that complement the landscape. • Smaller art pieces throughout town • stories told in imaginative ways across landscapes • more murals • Important, second • Art in unexpected places, like poems in the sidewalk downtown. I think having more public poetry/writing like that would be enjoyable and a great fit for Iowa City. • I don't see Unexpected Art in Strategic Plan • Art that breaks up commercial areas and incites wonder, takes the observer out of the mundane. Brings people in touch with experience outside of consumerism. • Take risks! • Pop-up/temporary • art in unexpected places like parking ramps or public building restrooms • Art that fits into the landscape or architecture - sculpture along a trail that you might miss if you weren't paying attention • would like to see exhibits by individual artists in places I don't expect-like on a city bus, or at the end of a trail in a small shelter • Projection art in new places? • intimate art pieces, clever/funny placement, thought provoking • chalk art, unexpected murals, poetry zines • I enjoy seeing art in places where I had not expected to see it. • Painted steps and public crosswalks. Iowa City is such an inclusive community and we should have a LGBTQIA Pride/rainbow crosswalk downtown. • What does this even mean? • If I told you, it would be expected. • Can be fun and challenging • I SO love the building murals popping up all over Iowa City. More please! • Performance dance. Mural on house on Dubuque St is very good. • Inventive and participatory • I'd like to see a fun take on the City vehicles, like garbage trucks, snow plows, dump trucks, etc. think Richard Scarry, love how surprisingly fun an everyday item can be suddenly fun and exciting. this also applied to dumpsters, garbage cans, etc, anything deemed utilitarian. • Unexpected places, like the sculptures on the iowa River trail, or the rainbow tunnel • This survey is not clear • surprise me • Art that has movement and color • Hidden behind some bins, there’s artwork by a First Nations artist. • Art in public gardens or on trails • ? • Outdoor seating with interesting shapes. • original, groundbreaking, and novel art • I love the art that gives neighborhoods character- Northside market place sculptures and goose town street signs. • Be entertaining throughout the community • Having an Iowa City = to Rockefeller Center • Residential alleys are interesting spaces that 1-could use attention for appearance and would be delightful locations for unexpected art. Same for high volume traffic streets, boulevards, right- of-ways (Highway 6 always looks so sad. It's depressing to drive on it and Riverside Drive). Riverfront Crossings along Gilbert Street is also a depressing, concrete wasteland--no trees, no art, just grey. • New, different and in unexpected places. • New, fun • I've always enjoyed art either painted on or built on/near overpasses. Either in town or over the interstate. Paintings, sculptures, or quotes. It gives out of state travelers a glimpse of who we are, as well. • not sure what this is • zines, pop-up performance art, geocaching, small displays and installations around town, in neighborhoods by local artists • Art in unexpected places Functional Art • Not sure. Maybe functional objects can be done in a more artistic and interesting way. • art that gets right to the point • More along the lines of painted benches and public pianos • Loved the prairie boxes from a few years ago! • Gardens projects, green spaces • No preference. • Interactive ...digital viewer activated artworks, physical spaces to be entered, passed through • Arty bus stops; incorporating plants, shelters as art spaces/sculptures • Yes • Art incorporated into parking ramps or streets • parks and trails • in seated areas, around restaurants, etc. • multi purpose, useful • art that can be used or interacted with • Motion • Not sure, but love this idea! • decorating street sign poles, unusual benches, decorate water run-off drains with messages about pollution and saving our streams etc • interactive in a park- 2 • Black freedom art • Hand rails, benches • Bicycles • Something you can play on/ with. • Making art out of signage, labels, public-use things (like water fountains, doors) • Bus Station Stops need something! • Perhaps art moves or is climbable • Non political • art IN roads, bridges, walls, sidewalks, furniture, etc • Outdoor seating with roofs for cold or rainy weather • Art that performs a function such as eating, shade, water, etc. Artful bus tops, benches, etc. Would be nice to have some art outside the downtown. . • No more murals! • Drinking fountains shaped like fish • Exhibits that are interactive and designed to mitigate loneliness and disconnection • None • 3 • artwork that serves a purpose in the city buildings, like a handing sculpture that is also the main lighting in the place • Activated staircases, woven baskets on trees to collect food donations for the homeless, extension of the CoSign program • painted benches, steps, parking meters, parking ramps • all benches, bus stops and tables should be decorated/fun to look at • splash pad/fountain art • I love the painted benches on the pedestrian mall. Decorative cans for trash might be another idea. • yes, makes ordinary things better. • More artful bike racks • Useless. • Bus Stops • first show some of Iowa City History • beautiful benches and chairs at scene or resting spots in parks and trails • Maker pieces • Unique benches in public places and bicycle racks. • Art that doubles as amenities that would help our unhoused neighbors. • Make the bike racks and street lamps more attractive • True community benefit, such as Edible Hut in Calimera Park, Detroit, MI/edible park in Irvine, CA • benches • signs, seating, fountains, weird bike racks, playground pieces- if artists/artisans/crafts people are involved • The painted benches downtown are my favorite functional art. With the new bus routes going into effect, could there be functional art added at those stops? • creative seating on the Ped Mall and along trails • Interesting seating in parks • re-imagining how people navigate spaces • Highly important, first • I assume that means art with a purpose, like the downtown splash pad or architecture. • I don't see Functional Art description in Strategic Plan • Adding art to existing functional structures. (E.g. murals on roads or around sewer drains, decorative bike tire fill up stations) • Take risks! • Wayfinding (signage, crosswalks, maps) • art that helps with wayfinding (think art deco Paris subway signs), or incorporating art elements or a theme into a playground such as a book theme for the park outside the library would love to see more playgrounds with themes and art that highlights the local area • Something beautiful and useful - lovely public water fountains (not play areas) or paintings on utility boxes • should be incorporated into all new city projects/buildings-especially functional ones like bus barn • Shade structures at the farmer's market! A sculptural playground? • doorways, patios, outdoor urban parks, benches, bus stops • art that offers a public focus for activities--to sit upon, listen to, dance on • I am always interested in functionality of an artists creation. • Gateway arches along Dubuque Street North Market Street in downtown Iowa City, which would welcome drivers into town. • What does this even mean? • Signage, water fountains • When it is good it is good when it is bad it is an eyesore. • Volleyball court or Sculptures to sit on or take pictures with. Painted benches are okay so long as repainted and don't look dilapidated. • Adds to existing culture • it's hard when there aren't examples, the link to the plan doesn't actually use these terms and provide definitions so it's a little difficult to link to something that isn't specific to note which page to review or a page containing definitions and examples. functional art I like are playgrounds, benches, fountains, pavilions • Art can you can ride or sit in • nesting boxes in several of the parks • Art that has a purpose, like Weatherdance, downtown • Covered bicycle/electric scooter parking. • wishing well for donations to local human services charities • Outdoor theatre, gates or entryways, benches, art that children can interact with in park spaces • interactive • Additional attractive bike racks and outdoor seating. • way finding, place marking, gateways • Same as above • Love statues of historical figures & plaques describing the significance of locations and events there. • Having a Citywide Christmas Tree • All public/utilitarian spaces are artfully designed. They may or may not include what we think of as public art, but they are absolutely intentionally designed for beauty AND function. • Yes • Art as benches, play spaces, shade, etc.. • Could be a playground for children, could be a learning opportunity, storytelling • Sculptures or installations that provide shade. Artistic light posts (or similar) that would also provide lighting at night on sidewalks or paths. • might as well make things that have to be in place as attractive as possible and get creative with things like electrical boxes, etc • ceramics sale in collaboration with coffee shops in parks (people could buy a piece and have it filled up there) • You need a bench, make bench the art Ephemeral Art • First you see it, then you don't. Visible for only a short period of time. • Art created from recycled/repurposed materials that would otherwise be thrown away • Video projection • Yes. • Plantings and other artworks that change over time and weather etc. • Something with ephemeral materials/participatory • Yes • art like tree huggers, or snow sculptures • parks and trails • Skywriting • Art that only exists for a short time. Event art • ? • chalk art--invite chalk artists like David Zinn and others to creat art along a special sidewalk/building • 3 • Flower mandalas, chalk art, natural materials • I guess seasonal art. Like a flower it’s only “in bloom” for a short time • Andy Goldsworthy type art. Nature takes it away. • Art that leaves a lasting impression, but doesn’t itself last (I loved the Gates in Central Park in NYC in 2005) • Temporary, Community Participation Art • More visual? • Non political • art made of natural materials like mud or snow or in places where it will melt, dissolve, be taken over • LED Light WALL or PROJECTED atmospheric shows on walls around town • Art that does not last or that changes with daylight or season or time, I would like to see things done with landscaping or molding land or water. • No more murals! • Banners, installations like the tree wraps of a few years ago • Theatre! • None • 2 • should be done by the community or a group in the community as a park of the parks and rec department programing • Birdseed mandalas, art that appears when it rains, bubble sculptures • How about snow or ice sculptures? • maybe, too easy to miss it • floating eco lanterns woven from natural materials on the Iowa River (honoring the rivers festival, water festival) • Not sure what this means & whether the public cares • Useless. • Flip Book Art that is interactive. Like this coloring book brought to life https://www.mudpuppy.com/products/forest-animals-flip-and- draw?currency=USD&variant=26298838021&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_ca mpaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjwsNiIBhBdEiwAJK4kho-mo0o_06kkMiwGl- WYX2cD_6yp9_NiryIk_pKU_s4h0uPoAfusQBoCDKgQAvD_BwE • second show some of the natural beauty • an artist to come and put art somewhere like Christo and Jean-Claude • Topiary • Maker pieces • Light, sound, bubbles, ice…enjoy it in the moment • Plays, Flash mobs, etc • something with the creek or the river • temporary installations, performance • This approach is great but I don't like the idea of spending public dollars on art that is temporary and geared for a small population of folks who happen to see it/experience it when it's around. This should be encouraged but not a high priority. • ?? • nature working in downtown spaces more in concert with buildings • Less important, fourth • Music, dance, and other performance art. I'm reminded of the pianos that used to be downtown, and the odds of someone playing music there add a lot. • I don't see this word mentioned in Strategic Plan • Art that decays, such as large scale wheatpaste installations. Art that uses sustainable materials and changes with natural events such as rain. • Take risks! • Community events to create art • art that happens only once, including music and dance performances, would love to see public music like Jazz Fest with more funding, Could also be grants to help music performances (perhaps underrepresented BIPOC performers) get into private restaurants, bars, festivals or theaters • summer or winter landscaping • love ephemeral art but do not want public funding spent on non-permanent, expensive things-- especially should be used in public parks to consider artistic use of materials found there • Temporary nature art in parks (Andy Goldsworthy-esque) - could be a community event to create them? • rain art, nature art that changes over time • Music, short-term installations as well as temporary murals and sidewalk art, performance, and readings. • My camera and I try hard to make it more permanent. • More short-term interactive art installations like the Loop that are kid/family friendly! The Loop is such a great addition to Iowa City! • What does this even mean? • Music, dance • Often a waste of big bucks, like those worthless wheel things currently on the Ped Mall • Please consider art by children and college students. I didn't get the knitted tree huggers but they didn't hurt anything. • Provokes conversation • I like bringing in art exhibits for a short time, it's fun and offers a hoping off point and inspiration for many. I enjoyed the slides on the Old Capitol (2019?). currently the wheels downtown area fun addition. maybe don't use such a fancy word as ephemeral, most people don't know what it means without looking it up. • Bubbles, water • something similar to the 'aides quilt' • Beauty that stimulates thought • Plants. • community hopes and dreams written on a piece of paper and offered up? • Art made of natural materials that isn't intended to persist • abstract • Create something that’s visible only when wet, to celebrate rain. Or something that changes with the angle of the sun. • art intended to last a short time--tunnel murals, sidewalk chalk, pop up displays • ? • Having to do like a Little Hawk Red Version of the Pollack • Consider music, dance, performances--combine with the concept of unexpected--even think flash mob performances (not sure these are a thing anymore). Also consider filming these (I know that this is at odds with ephemeral, but it provides a record and baseline for what has been done). • Yes • no idea • Animated visuals projected on buildings at night for a limited time. Sometimes combined with live music? Feature a few visual artists per season (if it's done throughout the summer, for example)? • wheat-pasting posters around town, projections onto buildings • No clue Private Property Art • Encourage private property owners to add art. • Art that showcases cultures of immigrants in our community • Neighborhood art events, site specific installations • No. • A listing and contact info of such available spaces, • Something on one of IC's well-traveled streets • Okay • walking tours of neighborhood art • parks and trails • on buildings which are owned by private entities • Privately owned art, perhaps seen from a public location • ? • should be for everyone to enjoy, invite people who own special pieces to share their art for a special showing at a local gallery, sell tickets to raise money to support local artists • 4 • Continuing on with art in unexpected areas… maybe help fund art at “underprivileged areas” • ? • Art that few have access to; exclusive in a negative way. • Free Little Art Display like the Free Little Library. • Art placement or funded to be on private property but viewable and enjoyable to passers by. • No. Political • Hmmm....I don't know if public art belongs on private property • Artist made mini libraries or mini art galleries • Should be viewable from public space. For example black walls that face a trail. • No more murals!!! • Lawn art • Hmmm… I don’t know what that would be? Maybe a community project that we all make a piece of and display it in our windows or yards? • None • 4 • art that makes people think or tells a story of the history of the property • Business window painting contests, support for porch concerts, a project where neighbors work together to activate the space between their homes • Inside buildings • maybe a city tour (like they do with gardens) that people can volunteer to be part of • Gate or Fence Art • Yard sculptures are pleasant - seasonal decorations. • no, excludes. • Should be encouraged, i.e., George Floyd mural on Dubuque St., giant sculpture (now moved) along Scott Blvd..d • Up to property owner, not me. • a walking tour guide that highlights works of art in people's yards • Maker pieces • No more giant persons watching go to work like something from Easter Island • Fund matching for “front yard” sculpture and statuary • Murals created by community members, youth, etc like Groundswell/Rise Up International • flowers • Work loaned to Iowa City for a given period of installation? • Murals - we can't have enough of those. • murals reflecting the diverse and progressive nature of a city in the midst of a state struggling with a current reactionary political landscape • more murals • Less important, third • I'm guessing this means public display from private property, like some of the downtown and alley murals or the chainsaw-art tree stumps • Beauty and color. We only have 196 days of sunshine. Beauty and color would help the public deal with overcast days. Like what Amsterdam and St Petersburg did with buildings from their beginnings. • Murals on the exteriors of houses, sheds, etc. Sculpture. Decorative Little Free Libraries. Encouraging homeowners to think beyond grass lawns and use local native plants for creative landscaping. • Take risks! • Earthworks • to me, this means a public/private partnership such as city or SMIDD District helping private owners find artists for murals, business signs, and sculptures that might be on the outside of privately owned buildings • Sculpture or murals that are visible from trails/sidewalks • encourage this in areas without HOA/where neighborhood would accept this- Northside/Longfellow/Twain-change laws to allow artwork displays near curbs • Murals on ugly houses? Private sculptures in publicly visible space? • gardens, murals, natural sculptures • statues, murals, music, and poetry. • I enjoy art where ever I might find it. • A mini sculpture garden like the Pappajohn Sculpture Park in Des Moines, but this would be across from the new Stanley Museum of Art on the UI campus. • What does this even mean? • Do they share it? • Something similar to the fountain sculpture by the Grant Wood house on Court Street, which is great! • Available for public enjoyment • not sure what this means? I am fine if private property owners would like to add public art, it's fun to find the giraffe by City High, but I don't think city funds should support it unless it's an estate sale request to purchase and move or donated. I do think zoning issues should be negotiable or property owners should be able to find resources easily if requested. • the barn on scott blvd • Up to the property owner, not publically funded • A mural of the row of buildings that included the Red Avocado and the bookstore on the student housing that replaced it. • Works from IA MFAs / abstract art • ? • Incorporate photos, images or artifacts to showcase the history of the location. Where was the first residence in Iowa City located, the first business, first fire and police station? • whatever the property owner wants to display on their property using private funds. • Upgrade the Longfellow Historic Markers- they are tired and worse for wear • Citizens should be free to do what they want on private property within guidelines. • I don't think there is a need for more of it. • Many may be interested in this, but not know how to consider the process, how much it could cost, etc. I would love to put a large installation in my backyard, but have NO idea what this would take. Could Public Art offer resources--a webpage with info, a workshop, etc.? • Funding more local artisans like piano sculpture at local residence • Yes • Art shared with everyone but not government funded. • Meh • Love seeing art along the interstate. It's such a nice change of pace. I miss those painted portraits out east of Highway 1 on 80. • murals wherever possible, zine sales at businesses (workshops, professional artists and students) • art on private property Memo Date: To: Rachael Kilburg, Assistant to the City Manager From: Public Art Advisory Committee Re: Recommendation for use of American Rescue Plan Act funding In a recent report by the Americans for the Arts, it is estimated that there was a “$17.97 billion financial loss to Nonprofit Arts & Culture Organizations and their Audiences nationally. BIPOC organizations are more likely to report that they currently lack the financial resources they need to return to in-person programming than non-BIPOC organizations (55% vs. 38%). At the height of the pandemic in 2020, 63% of artists experienced unemployment. Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation jobs dropped from 2.5 million to 1.2 million between February and April 2020 (-53%).” Iowa City’s cultural amenities are a centerpiece to our economic vitality. Our community hosts hundreds of artists – performing, literary and visual – who find Iowa City to be a vibrant community where they can thrive and that supports their profession. Lack of opportunities to showcase their talents over the past eighteen months has had a significant impact on their income and further restricted expanding their opportunities, networks and venues. The Public Art Advisory Committee recommends that a portion of the American Rescue Plan Act funding address this unquestionable impact on the arts. Use of ARPA funds with this focus would be reminiscent of the Works Project Administration’s (WPA) Federal Project Number One which, established during the Great Depression, “was created as a relief measure to employ artists and artisans to create murals, easel paintings, sculpture, graphic art, posters, photography, theatre scenic design, and arts and crafts. The WPA Federal Art Project established more than 100 community art centers throughout the country, researched and documented American design, commissioned a significant body of public art without restriction to content or subject matter, and sustained some 10,000 artists and craft workers during the Great Depression”. Many of these art installations are still in place around the country including some of the 1400 murals, many of which were painted in US Post Offices. PAAC recommends that ARPA funding be used to: • bolster existing arts organizations in our community • expand the Iowa City Public Art program budget so more robust opportunities can be offered to local artists • continue the work envisioned as part of the “Oracles of Iowa City” mural and its team of artists. This would include expanded opportunities for local BIPOC artists through fellowships or commissions as well as continuing public programming, extended conversations and education opportunities to publicly recognize and challenge the systemic racism and discrimination Black people experience in our community. By utilizing our existing organizations, resources, and skills to provide more opportunities to our artist population, we can also directly impact our community’s economic vitality by increasing the number of visitors to our community who come to experience these cultural opportunities. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request.