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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-017 Public Art Plan 2011 Resolution 11-017 RESOLUTION NO. 11-017 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON, APPROVING THE 2011 PORT TOWNSEND ARTS COMMISSION PUBLIC ART PLAN WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Port Townsend approved the Art in Public Places Policy on October 15, 2007, as recommended by the Arts Commission; and WHEREAS, the conceptual framework for implementing the Art in Public Places Policy, was set forth in the Public Art Plan adopted by Council April 6, 2009; and WHEREAS, the placement and selection process for public art is outlined in the current Public Art Plan; and WHEREAS, the 2011 Public Art Plan (attached as Exhibit A), recognizes that the remaining 2011 funds for public art are limited and therefore turns from the commercial corridor projects to focus on an additional priority of siting a small scale piece of public art in the Uptown area which is an important gathering place for the local community; and WHEREAS, the City Council determines by this Resolution to approve the 2011 Public Art Plan as recommended of the Port Townsend Arts Commission and reviewed by the Community Development/Land Use Committee; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend that the 2011 Public Arts Plan, as recommend by the Arts Commission and set forth on the attached Exhibit A, is hereby approved. ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend at a regular meeting thereof, held this 20th day of June 2011. Ilia , -a-- Michelle Sandoval, Mayor Attest: Approved as to form: - Pamela Kolacy, MMC John P. Watts City Clerk City Attorney Exhibit A to Resolution 11-017 Public Art Plan 2011 Page 1 City of Port Townsend Port Townsend Arts Commission Public Art Plan 2011 Ongoing Assumptions: Background: The City of Port Townsend has a deep and abiding commitment to art and culture, as articulated in the Community Direction Statement from the Comprehensive Plan: "A regional center of culture and learning, Port Townsend provides its citizens with quality elementary and secondary instruction, as well as career training and college education needed for success and personal enrichment. The City offers world class arts and entertainment and continually celebrates its cultural and historical assets by hosting many exciting festivals and events. Anywhere in town, we are only a convenient bike ride or walk from work, classes, dining, entertainment, and home. This closeness reinforces the tie between Port Townsend's economy, culture and a large residential community. People live here because they enjoy being in the midst of the natural beauty and cultural amenities of Port Townsend." The City of Port Townsend, Art in Public Places Policy and Procedures stipulates that the Public Art Committee of the Port Townsend Arts Commission "prepare an annual plan that identifies and prioritizes public projects that shall include public artwork. The Public Art Plan may include artwork resulting from city construction projects as well as artwork proposed by community groups or other public departments or boards for placement at existing facilities." The Opportunity: As codified in the PTMC Chapter 3.50, the City"allocates 1% of the capitalized costs of eligible public construction projects for the creation or placement of artwork or works as part of the construction project." The City currently has several such public capital projects that are in process or in the planning phases. As a result, the Public Art Committee and the Port Townsend Arts Commission recommend the following Public Art Plan for 2011. The Conceptual Framework: The Committee is committed to the core community values of the City of Port Townsend including the notion of"quality of place," thereby ensuring that the City remains an attractive place to live, work and visit. The arts are essential to guarantee that quality of life and to ensure that we remain a vibrant and engaged community. The Committee believes that public art is also a key component of an arts-based economic development strategy since it is a public investment in the cultural fabric that links infrastructure to community sustainability, economic vitality and civic values. Previous Plan Exhibit A to Resolution 11-017 Public Art Plan 2011 Page 2 The Arts Commission approved and recommended to the City Council the previous Public Art Plan on December 8, 2008 and Council approved that plan in early 2009. There were two major capital construction projects planned at that time for Port Townsend, one for the downtown Water Street area, the maritime entrance to Port Townsend and the other for Upper Sims Way, the vehicular entrance to the City. Our plan was to unite, symbolically and literally, the City's business and cultural realms through the placement of public art at the two portals to Port Townsend. The notion was that a cultural and commercial corridor iconically marked by public art sited at the gateways ways could enhance the City's identity as a venue for world class arts while also serving as a key development asset, contributing to the local economy. That plan gave priority to siting public art in the"Downtown Urban Streetscape and Waterfront," a revitalized waterfront area stretching from the Northwest Maritime Center at Point Hudson to Quincy Street with the purpose of celebrating the intersection of our historic and commercial cityscape with accessible seascape. That Plan resulted in the commissioning of Gerard Tsutakawa's "Salish Sea Circle." The second priority of that plan was to focus on the "Upper Sims Way Urban Landscape and Howard Street Corridor." Our goal for that location was to site public art in a way that would enliven the streetscape, stimulate cultural activity, promote wayfinding, and reflect the creativity and entrepreneurial life of Port Townsend. In order for a public art piece to match the scale of that streetscape and vehicular entrance to the City, we recognized that more significant funding would need to be available. We established a partnership between the City(and PTAC) with the Jefferson County Community Foundation with a fund specifically designated for public art. The PTAC and JCCF are in the process of strategizing around fundraising opportunities for that fund. 2011 Public Art Plan Our recent public art plan focused on the City's commercial corridor. The Arts Commission would now like to turn attention to an important gathering place for our local community, Uptown. This is an area already serving as a focal point for civic and cultural life, anchored by the Farmers' Market and Community Center and surrounded by vibrant businesses and charming residential neighborhoods. These are existing spaces that capture talents, connections and community aspirations in ways that are vital, safe and welcoming. The siting of public art in the Uptown area would add another dimension to this special place where locals live, work, play, and shop. Public art would invite people to pause for a moment, have conversations, make connections, and enjoy the notion of place. Siting and Usage: Recommendations about the specifics of placement will emerge through the work of the Artist Selection Panel. The Public Art Committee is committed to the process for decision-making outlined in the Art in Public Places Policy as well as to the notion of thoughtfully inclusive participation by the public and stakeholders. It is our intent that public art located Uptown with be in keeping with the characteristics of Port Townsend, a city that is both intimate in scale and infinite in scope. This Plan and the work of the Artist Selection Panel, Public Art Committee and Arts Commission will duly consider all of Exhibit A to Resolution 11-017 Public Art Plan 2011 Page 3 these aspirations and attributes of the City's cultural and civic community as it makes recommendations about artists, art and placement. Future Public Art Projects The City has embarked on a wayfinding planning process that will result in the design and placement of wayfinding stations at key locations throughout town. The PTAC, planning consultants, and City officials have met and expressed mutual interest in the possibility of siting either permanent or rotating public art at some of those locations, as funding permits.