ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Vancouver City Council

FROM:

Director, Office of Cultural Affairs

SUBJECT:

Public Art Allocations from 2000 Capital Plan

 

RECOMMENDATION

COMMENTS

POLICY

City Council adopted a public art program for civic and private development in 1990 (revised 1994). A Community Public Art Program was adopted in 1994.

City Council provided $750,000 for public art projects in the 2000-2002 Capital Plan. On May 18, 2000, Council allocated $250,000 to 2000 civic public art projects, including a community public art program.

PURPOSE

This report recommends allocations totalling $75,000 to the 2000 Community Public Art Program, and $10,000 to the 2000 Artists in Residence Program. Allocations to other public art projects will be recommended at a later date.

BACKGROUND

The public art program has three components. The Civic Public Art Program develops public art at new and existing capital developments; the Community Public Art Program responds to community initiatives; and the Private Sector Program develops public art at major new private developments. This report recommends allocations to the Community Public Art program and to the Artist in Residence Programs.

DISCUSSION

Community Public Art: $75,000

The Community Public Art Program provides grants to nonprofit groups which sponsor artist-and-community collaborations on projects which address neighbourhood needs or aspirations. Projects generally have fostered community pride, neighbourhood identity, and sense of place. As before, individual project applications will be recommended by staff and community members, then presented to Council for consideration. later this year.

Artist Materials: $10,000

Since 1996, Council has provided $10,000 to community centres or other nonprofit sponsors of Artist in Residence projects. City funds are directed to the purchase of art construction materials. Artists in Residence are selected through a city-wide competition conducted by Park Board with the advice of City public art staff. City funds contribute directly to project quality, and City participation enables project sponsors (who provide majority funding) to attract other funds.

This year, the Strathcona, False Creek, Grandview, Champlain Heights, and Riley park Community Centre Associations are sponsoring projects.

As in previous years, we seek Council approval of $10,000 with allocations to the individual Associations released on the authority of the Director, Office of Cultural Affairs, following detailed staff assessment of individual project needs. Projects for 2000 are described in Appendix A.

The Public Art Committee recommends the above allocations to Council for approval.

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APPENDIX A

Funding Requests and Recommendations: Artist in Residence Program 2000

The Strathcona Community Association is working with artist Martin Borden to produce "2000 Views of Strathcona: A Community Portrait". Community members will work with the artist and generate images and texts using photography, printmaking and digital imagery. These elements will be assembled to create a large wall mounted mosaic of images and words.

The Association is requesting $1,800 of their total $2,800 materials budget. The coordinator of the Artist in Residence program is recommending that City monies in the amount of $1,500 be allocated to the purchase of plywood, hardware, primer, varathane, film and processing needed for the production of the wall mounted work. The difference between this recommendation and the amount requested by the Association is based on limitations on the total amount available for 2000 projects.

The False Creek Recreation Association is working with artist Kevin Schmidt on "Our Favourite Places" a project involving community members in identifying and creating images of significant sites in their neighbourhood. These images will be reproduced as postcards, distributed in the community and mounted as a permanent work in the lobby of the centre.

The Association is requesting $1,200 of their total $2,200 materials budget. The coordinator of the Artist in Residence program is recommending that City monies in the amount of $900 be allocated to the purchase of drawing and photography supplies, a portion of the printing and framing and installation costs for the production and mounting of the lobby work. The difference between this recommendation and the amount requested by the Association is based on limitations on the total amount available for 2000 projects.

The Grandview Community Centre Association is working with artist Linda Pearce to create a mural for the outside wall facing the parking lot at Trout Lake Community Centre. Community input will determine the subject matter of the mural.

The Association is requesting $1,737 of their total $2,737 materials budget. The coordinator of the Artist in Residence program is recommending that City monies in the amount of 1,400 be allocated towards the cost of paint, brushes and scaffolding costs. The difference between this recommendation and the amount requested by the Association is based on limitations on the totalamount available for 2000 projects.

The Champlain Heights Community Association is working with artist Andrew Currie to create a series of murals painted on wooden panels and installed inside the centre on the lobby and lounge area walls. The themes will include the community's past present and visions for the future.

The Association is requesting $2,950 of their total 3,950 materials budget. The coordinator of the Artist in Residence program is recommending that City monies in the amount of $2,400 be allocated towards the cost of paint, brushes and scaffolding costs. The difference between this recommendation and the amount requested by the Association is based on limitations on the total amount available for 2000 projects.

The Riley Park Community Centre Association is working with artist Judy McNaughton to create the "Community Tile Labyrinth Project". The labyrinth will consist of a winding path created from tiles and installed on the grounds of the community centre.

The Association is requesting $4,500 of their total $5,408 materials budget. The coordinator of the Artist in Residence program is recommending that City monies in the amount of $3,800 be allocated towards the cost of clay, glazes, firings, concrete pad and tile setting costs. The difference between this recommendation and the amount requested by the Association is based on limitations on the total amount available for 2000 projects.

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Total grants requested and recommended $10,000

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