ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: May 14, 1996
Dept. File No.: SP
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: Director of Cultural Affairs
SUBJECT: 1996 Community Public Art Funding
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council allocate $100,000 to the 1996 Community Public Art
Program, with individual projects reported back for approval, and
the source of funds to be the unallocated Public Art Capital
Budget.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of
the foregoing.
COUNCIL POLICY
On October 7, 1993, City Council approved $1,000,000 for public art
over the 1994-1996 Capital Plan.
On May 5, 1994, City Council approved $255,000 for the Civic Public
Art Program.
When considering the 1995 Capital Works Budget on May 2, 1995, Council
approved $426,000 for the Civic Public Art Program.
When considering the 1996 Capital Works Budget on 14 May 1996, Council
approved $319,000 for the Civic Public Art Program.
PURPOSE
This report recommends a total 1996 allocation to the Community Public
Art Program of $100,000, including $10,000 for projects at artist
residencies at community centres. Individual projects will be
reported back to Council for approval.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of the Community Public Art Program is to encourage local
participation in public art projects which focus on neighbourhood
needs and aspirations.
In 1994 and 1995, City Council allocated $55,000 and $60,000,
respectively, to the Community Public Art. Following on the success
of the 1994 Program, Vancouver Foundation in 1995 provided $25,000 for
projects at the development stage, in keeping with its community
development mandate.
DISCUSSION
Previous Program allocations did not provide for maintenance or
liability insurance, and did not include explicit provision,
recommended this year, for projects created by artists in residence at
Community Centres.
For 1996, staff and the Public Art Committee recommend a Program
budget of $125,000 (including Vancouver Foundation's $25,000). A
1996 City allocation of $100,000 is recommended to:
- provide $9,300 for maintenance;
- provide $2,000 for liability insurance;
- provide an additional $18,000 for projects, including a provision
of up to $10,000 for projects by artists in residence, making a
total project budget of $93,000.
A draft budget appears as Appendix A.
Maintenance
The Public Art Maintenance Reserve was established in 1995. Public
art maintenance was previously provided through separate allocation.
Since creation of the Reserve, maintenance is included in project
budgets. Thus, $9,300 for maintenance (10% of project budgets) is
included in our request this year.
Liability Insurance
Applicants previously arranged their own project insurance, resulting
in incomplete coverage and considerable staff liaison time. We
recommend insuring all projects through Sport B.C., to ensure coverage
and reduce staff time.
Projects by Artists in Residence
The Artist in Residence Program annually sponsors four artist
residencies at community centres. Park Board matches the
sponsoring Community Centre Association share of $2,500, to make total
residency art budgets of $5,000.
Art works produced by this popular program are restricted by the small
materials budget available ($1000), and artists approach the City and
other funders on an ad hoc basis for additional funds.
Staff and the Public Art Committee believe these requests are an
excellent use of civic public art funds. By making a provision of
$10,000, Council can direct up to $2,500 to art works through a
process which ensures equal access for all artists and community
centres. Funds would be recommended on a matching basis by staff for
Council approval as grants to the Associations. The Public Art
Committee recommends this provision to Council.
Vancouver Foundation
In 1995, Vancouver Foundation committed $25,000 to Community Public
Art. Vancouver Foundation funds enable Program support for some
projects at the development stage, which is consistent with the
Foundation's community development focus. The Foundation will decide
in June whether to allocate $25,000 again this year.
A copy of our report to Vancouver Foundation on Council's 1995
allocations appears as Appendix B.
* * * * *
APPENDIX A
COMMUNITY PUBLIC ART PROGRAM BUDGET
This budget is based on a City allocation of $100,000 and assumes an
allocation from Vancouver Foundation of $25,000.
CITY CONTRIBUTION $100,000
VANCOUVER FOUNDATION 25,000
125,000
Program expense:
printing 400
mailing 700
community meetings and outreach 1,000
materials 700
project selection 700
advertising 1,200
Facilitator 13,500
Evaluation 2,500
20,700
Public Art Maintenance Reserve: 9,300
Liability Insurance: 2,000
Community Public Art Projects: 93,000
TOTAL: $125,000