ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT


                                                        Date: May 14, 1996 
                                                        Dept. File No.:  SP

     TO:       Vancouver City Council

     FROM:     Director of Cultural Affairs

     SUBJECT:  Public Art Capital Budget Allocations



     RECOMMENDATION

          A.   THAT Council approve allocations from the Public Art
               Unallocated Capital Budget to public art projects as
               follows:

               1)   $145,000 to South East Granville Slopes Park, as
                    described in this report.

               2)   $100,000 to the Central Heat Distribution "Steam Vents"
                    project, as described in this report.

               3)   $9,000 to Susan Schuppli's Community Signatures project
                    at Commercial Drive Bridge.

          B.   THAT Council grant $2,300 to the Douglas Park Community
               Centre Association for Community Benches at Heather and
               Braemar parks; source of funds to be the unallocated Public
               Art Capital Budget.


     GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

          The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of
          A and B.


     COUNCIL POLICY

     On October 23, 1993, City Council approved $1,000,000 for Public Art
     in 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.

     Council approved $319,000 for public art in the 1996 Capital Works
     Budget on 14 May 1996.

     PURPOSE

     This report recommends four public art projects with budgets totalling
     $266,300 for Council approval.


     BACKGROUND

     In 1993, Council committed $1,000,000 for public art as part of the
     1994-1996 Capital Plan.  Since then, as part of the annual Capital
     Budget, Council has approved allocations of $255,000 (1994), $425,000
     (1995), and $319,000 (1996).


     DISCUSSION

     Cultural Affairs staff are developing a priority list of public art
     projects in consultation with civic departments, Park Board, and the
     Public Art Committee.  Last December, Council approved public art
     processes for City Greenways, Innovative Streets, and Infrastructure,
     and projects at these sites are in preparation.  This report presents
     staff and Public Art Committee recommendations for two major projects,
     representing current priorities by Engineering and Park Board; one
     community project; and a project requiring completion on Commercial
     Drive.


     Southeast Granville Slopes Park:        $145,000

     This park is an outdoor meeting and green space for a densely
     populated new neighbourhood.  It was designed to incorporate public
     art and offers good potential.  Civic staff and the Public Art
     Committee recommend a budget of $145,000 for art work developed in
     close consultation with Park Board, the park designer, and the
     community.


     Central Heating Steam Vents:            $100,000

     Central Heat Distribution pipes heating steam to approximately 140
     buildings in the downtown.   When ground water comes into contact with
     the underground piping system, steam vapour escapes through surface
     access covers, some of which are located on sidewalks.  The large
     "plop" planters now employed to protect pedestrians at these sites
     take up substantial sidewalk space, and are expensive to maintain.

     Artists would be asked to create safe and street-friendly solutions
     which require less sidewalk space, and add community interest to these
     problem sites.  Two or three sites may be addressed for the requested
     budget.


     Douglas Park Community Benches:         $2,300

     Douglas Park Community Centre Association and Park Board jointly
     funded an artist residency in 1995.  The artist worked with the
     Association and local residents to design and place five unique,
     community-inscribed benches around Douglas Park.  Public response
     exceeded expectations, and residents at neigh-bouring parks have
     requested benches.  Benches for Heather and Braemar parks would be
     produced for $2,300.  Council approval of this request would be in the
     form of a grant to the Community Centre Association, and requires
     eight affirmative votes.

     Subject to Council's approval of a companion report, requests for
     artist projects of this kind would in future be directed to the
     Community Public Art fund.


     Commercial Drive Bridge Project:        $9,000

     Susan Schuppli's Community Signature project was one of the first
     commissioned under the Public Art Program.  Council approved a
     commission of $33,000 in June, 1993, after extensive community
     consultation.  The artist has inscribed signatures from Grandview
     Woodlands residents on colourful sidewalk tiles, which await
     installation.

     To meet City durability standards, a more expensive tile than budgeted
     for was required.  The project is $4,987 over budget, and the artist
     has worked without payment for her design or time.

     Staff are satisfied Ms. Schuppli has proceeded efficiently and with
     care, and that her overrun relates to the unanticipated cost of
     achieving stringent technical criteria.  We recommend additional
     funding of $9,000 to complete this project, enough to cover the
     additional cost of materials, installation, and a modest artist fee.



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