Title
Ann Arbor Public Art Commission 2015 Public Art Annual Plan
Memorandum
The Mayor and City Council of Ann Arbor adopted an ordinance establishing a public art program on November 5, 2007, by adding the Ann Arbor Public Art Ordinance, Chapter 24 of Title I of the City Code. The City of Ann Arbor recognized the importance of providing art in government facilities and determined that public art will improve the aesthetic quality of public spaces and structures. The Ordinance was enacted to foster a sustained commitment to public art. The City of Ann Arbor placed the responsibility of oversight of the implementation of public art projects funded through the Ordinance with the Ann Arbor Public Art Commission. Various provisions of the Ordinance have since been amended, but that responsibility has not changed.
The Ann Arbor Public Art Commission's Annual Plan is submitted to City Council and is "a plan detailing potential projects and desirable goals to be pursued in the next fiscal year" (City Code, Chapter 24, Section 1:837.2.B). For this year's Annual Plan, the Commission identified several objectives for the selection of artwork. Those objectives will serve as a framework for the selection of new projects and are detailed in the attached Annual Plan for Fiscal Year 2015. Additionally, goals for the public art program and the Public Art Commission are listed.
The City's public art program has several projects underway. Art will be installed along with a rain garden at the corner of Kingsley and First Street in June 2014. Artwork at the reconstructed East Stadium Boulevard Bridges is planned to be completed in fiscal year 2015. The Commission is also coordinating partnerships and assisting in raising funds for other projects, including a memorial to Coleman Jewett and a project using decommissioned Ann Arbor Canoe Livery canoes as recycled art objects to be publicly displayed, a project titled: Canoe Imagine Art (downtown and parks locations are being considered). Robust public engagement during the artist selection process and the review of proposed art designs will continue for all projects.
The Annual Plan was approved by the Public Art Commission on April 23, 2014.
Staff
Prepared by: Aaron Seagraves, Public Art Administrator
Reviewed by: Craig Hupy, Public Services Area Administrator