|
Item 11.b.
|
| City Council Regular | |
| Date: | 09/11/2023 |
| Title: | Current Public Art Pieces for Council Review |
| Presented by: | Chris Kukulski, City Administrator |
| Department: | Planning & Community Services |
| Presentation: | Yes |
| Legal Review: | Yes |
| Project Number: | N/A |
RECOMMENDATION
Ad Hoc Art Review Committee, Parks and Cemetery Board, Mobilize the Magic City Advisory Committee and Staff recommend approval of the public art projects currently in development.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
There are several public art projects currently in various stages of development. In early August 2023, staff discovered Resolution No. 04-18101, which was signed in 2004. This resolution creates an ad hoc committee to review art that is donated or loaned to the City for public display and asks the committee to make a recommendation to Council about appropriateness and placement. For whatever reason, this resolution has not been used for many years and most of the City's current staff were unaware of it. City staff had established alternative procedures for public placement of art, and had been working through processes on several projects this year. Nevertheless, staff set out to implement this resolution as much as possible under the projects’ status and existing process when it was found, but discovered it is cumbersome and impractical to implement.
After discussions between City staff, City Legal, and Administration, it was determined that the staff would follow the spirit of the policy in good faith, as much as practical. While staff is asking the Council to repeal the policy at the 9/11 meeting before voting on these art pieces, staff followed the spirit of this policy as much as possible by working with the Mayor and Administration to assemble and convene the ad hoc public art committee and asking for its recommendation on the art pieces proposed. One of the goals of the Mobilize the MAGIC City project is to conduct a feasibility study for a public art committee that would make this process clearer and more straightforward. The new public art committee and process work is expected to be complete in early 2024 and be shared with Council.
The 2004 Resolution outlines the five-person ad hoc committee as being comprised of two members appointed by the Mayor, skilled and/or trained in the evaluation of art; one member of the Parks, Recreation, and Cemetery Board; and two representatives that have an interest in the project, however it shall not include a representative that is creating or donating the public art. As a result, staff convened a five-person committee with Corby Skinner and Jessica Rhule (Yellowstone Art Museum) appointed by the Mayor; Thom MacLean as the Parks, Recreation, and Cemetery Board representative; and Tally Monteau (Triia, a subsidiary of the Native American Development Corporation) and Amy Queen (Healthy By Design Coalition) as the two representatives that have an interest in the projects.
The committee met on August 28, 2023 to discuss the proposed art projects listed below and make recommendations to the City Council. While the meeting was not legally advertised and was not a formal public hearing, it was shared on social media platforms, posted in several City facilities, including City Hall and emailed via Civic Send before the meeting and about 15 members of the public attended. All projects were recommended to the Council for approval by votes of the ad hoc committee. Committee Member Corby Skinner chose to abstain from the votes as he did not feel comfortable voting on the works in front of the artists. Each project listed below includes the result of the recommendation vote to Council by the committee, a description of the project, and other relevant information:
Mobilize the MAGIC City Projects
Mobilize the MAGIC City is a project partially funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. Through the project, Terri Porta was hired as the Artist-in-Residence for the City of Billings in 2023 with a task of implementing at least two creative placemaking hubs along Billings first neighborhood bikeway. Ms. Porta also is assisting with the feasibility study for a public art committee as part of her Artist-in-Residence work for the City. The neighborhood bikeway runs from approximately North Park to Rose Park. The effort has included an extensive public outreach effort to gather input on the community’s values and goals and hear reactions on the proposed projects. Outreach included efforts such as:
· A public walk and a bike ride with the artist
· Engagement with an approximately 30-person advisory committee with representatives ranging from task force leaders, the healthcare sector, community development, City staff, and, more
· Tabling events at community events such as the opening of the Eagle Seeker Community Center, Strawberry Fest, Heart and Sole Run, etc.
· Meetings with the Midtown Community Collaborative and Pioneer Park Task Forces
· Postcards to residents within approximately 300 feet of the proposed projects with a link to a survey
· Engagement with relevant departments such as Public Works and Parks, Recreation, and Public Lands
Art pieces presented to the Ad Hoc Art Committee:
Funky Frames (working title)
Location: Triangular Park at Ave. C and N. 32nd St.
Ad Hoc Committee Vote: 4 in favor, 1 abstained
Artist: Terri Porta
Description: “Funky Frames”, is the working title of a Kid-Centric sculpture across from McKinely Elementary School. The frames are welded together as place holders for art that has been created and collaborated with by the artist and the children of Billings. These frames will hold art that has been creatively manipulated around engagement with the arts community. The viewer will also notice that stamped into the concrete are quotes from local art teachers and professionals, encouraging young artists to shoot for their dreams in art. Artist-In-Residence Terri Porta engaged students during McKinley Elementary School art classes and during an after-school program at Highland Elementary to curate the children’s art.
Additional prior approvals: State Historic Preservation Office; National Endowment for the Arts Historic Preservation; Parks and Recreation staff; Parks, Recreation, and Cemetery Board
Kid’s Fridge
Location: Likely 10th and Ave. D
Ad Hoc Committee Vote: 4 in favor, 1 abstained
Artist: Terri Porta
Description: "Kid’s Fridge", is a 10’x5’ frame with vertical steel rods that hold Children’s art. Each piece of art spins with the wind as a double-sided mosaic of sorts. This piece is dedicated to the children of Billings and the art aspirations they have. It fosters a safe and celebratory environment for children to explore their artistic aspirations. Art and creativity are a very fun, playful and life affirming activity, engaging all the senses, helping children synthesis their life experiences. The community of supporters, parents and educators around the arts are also encouraged through this piece to allow the children to shine through their own expression of art.
Staff knocked on doors at both 10th and 11th and Ave. D to determine the best location for this installation. There is more support for the project at 10th and Ave. D and so the piece will likely be placed at this intersection. The piece includes curb extensions which are intended to help slow traffic at this intersection.
Additional prior approvals: State Historic Preservation Office; National Endowment for the Arts Historic Preservation; Public Works Staff
Community Development Block Grant Funded Projects
Following Community Development (CD) Board and Parks, Recreation & Cemetery Board (Parks Board) approvals, on December 20, 2021, the Billings City Council reviewed and approved allocating up to $1 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding and CDBG-Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funding to the Parks, Recreation and Public Land Department to install improvements to parks in low-income areas. This included the reconstruction of the Heritage Trail section within the boundaries of Pioneer Park. Construction was completed in the fall of 2022 and the project came in about $30,000 under budget.
The City Council approved the Mobilize the MAGIC City project, which has the goal of developing a formal process to involve art in everyday life. At the same time, Terri Porta was selected as the City’s new “Artist in Residence” who will be working for a year to implement two creative placemaking hubs along Billings' first neighborhood bikeway (from North Park to Rose Park), document the process in a Placemaking Playbook, and conduct a public arts committee feasibility study.
Because the neighborhood bikeway includes the Heritage Trail section within Pioneer Park, and since aesthetic amenities such as art on public property are an eligible-CDBG expense, staff began exploring the idea of a third placemaking hub on the Heritage Trail section. Terri Porta proposed a “Pink I-Beam” structure on the trail corridor in the Park. The proposed project was reviewed, discussed, and an increased budget of up to $50,000 ($30,000 of remaining budget for the trail project and an additional $20,000 of available CDBG funds) was approved by the CD Board at its August 1, 2023, meeting. The proposed additional element to the Heritage Trail improvement project then went to the Parks Board at its meeting on August 9. The Parks Board voted to approve the installation of the structure on the Heritage Trail.
The Rising
Location: Pioneer Park Heritage Trail
Ad Hoc Committee Vote: 3 voted in favor, 1 opposed, 1 abstained
Ad Hoc Committee Discussion: While the piece was liked, the committee discussed a desire to have the art selection process completed as an open call for artists as it is a separate project from the Mobilize project.
Artist: Terri Porta
Description: Artist statement from Terri Porta: “Dorothy Gray Johnson designed Pioneer Park with winding walkways and recreation on her mind. Her thoughts about the park also included unique cultural experiences such an amphitheater for stage and sound. While visiting Europe, I (Terri) came across and was inspired by the French and Roman architecture. From the tree-lined colonnades of the Champs-Elysees in Paris to sculpture parks of the Venice Biennale I was intrigued. The public commons were a place to celebrate the arts. These are places for the cultural experiences people crave.
The Rising is a twenty-foot-tall and fifty-foot-long arbor with a stain glass painting for a roof supported by pink steel I-beams. The sheltered pathway reflects and as light from the sun shines through it and creates a second painting on the Heritage Trail. The arbor is a sculpture, a structure and an art piece. It represents a rising of the common places. While Covid spread across the world, outdoor common places became even more important to us. "The Rising", is a representative structure of our rising out of the pandemic. As for the painting on the arbor’s roof, it was the first painting I created while in quarantine in March of 2020. I then developed a body of work revolving around my love of outdoor spaces and my love trees. The painting was named "Follow the Light".
When viewers engage with the arbor, I hope they will slow down and breathe in the space. I hope they will find reasons for their own rising in life. I hope their imaginations will spark and their creativity will sing with inspiration."
At the Pioneer Park Task Force meeting on August 23, about 60% of the attendees were in favor of this design based on a casual hand vote. Proponents liked the bright color, fact that it will be lit, its potential to reduce crime through CPTED principles, its use as a starting/ending point for the many races that take place in Pioneer Park and the ability to bring art to this corner of the park. However, there were some vocal opponents of the piece. About 15% would prefer the piece as a different color and about 15% preferred not to have the piece at all. Opponents of the piece did not like the color or felt that the style did not fit with the character of Pioneer Park.
While this project did not include a public call for artists to submit, the City staff are planning to follow the City’s purchasing procedures as the artist’s fee is under the amount where bids are required, and construction and installation of the piece will be bid out through the City process.
Additional Prior Approvals: Community Development Board (funding allocation); Parks and Recreation Staff; Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Board
Comanche Park Basketball Court Mural
Location: Comanche Park
Ad Hoc Committee Vote: 4 in favor, 1 abstained
Artist: Terri Porta
Note: This piece was brought as a courtesy. It is already in development as public art was part of the approved package of CPTED improvements for Comanche Park that was acted on by Council at its March 13, 2023 meeting, a neighborhood survey was conducted by the Parks Department that resulted in 67 responses to choose a mural design, and artist Terri Porta is already under contract for this piece and funding was already expended for supplies.
Description: This is a mural painted on the new Comanche Park basketball court. The public (through a survey noted above) voted between two designs to choose their favorite. This is part of the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design strategy to create positive activities in the park.
South Park Pool Mural
Location: South Park Pool
Ad Hoc Committee Vote: 4 voted in favor, 1 abstained
Description: A group from the South Side Neighborhood Task Force, a local Girl Scout Troop, and a local artist have proposed a mural to be painted on the South Park Pool House. The majority of the work will be done by Girl Scouts to achieve their Silver Award, to serve and make an impact in their community. With design and guidance from artist Elyssa Leininger, the girls will create a mural to improve the pool house and South Park. The Girl Scouts will solicit donated supplies and monetary support for the project.
In 2019, a mural was painted on one side of the pool house with the help of Healthy By Design, a local artist, and several helping hands from the South Side. Over the years, the mural has remained untouched by graffiti or damage. Parks & Recreation maintenance staff have saved valuable hours and supply costs to repaint the walls that were frequently vandalized. An additional mural would be an added benefit for pool visitors and the South Side.
At the Parks Board meeting on August 9 when this project was discussed, it was noted that this project was not going to initially include a protective anti-graffiti coating in case the building is demolished as part of the South Park Pool and Bathhouse renovations included in the Parks, Recreation and Trail Bond slated for a community vote in November. If the bond is not passed, the artist might go back and apply the protective coating. It also has been discussed internally that staff will look into the cost and options for placing the mural on an alternative surface so that it can be relocated and preserved beyond the life of the current bathhouse.
Additional Prior Approvals: Parks and Recreation Staff; Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Board
Skyline Trail Sculptures
Location: Skyline Trail
Ad Hoc Committee Vote: 4 voted in favor, 1 abstained
Description: The Mayor is donating four pieces for the new Skyline Trail which will run in between Swords Park and North Park. The sculptures are approximately 7 feet tall, rusted steel sculptures by artist Ben Breuckman out of Bozeman. The sculptures will represent a person with a baby in a backpack, a person walking a dog, a hiker, and a biker.
Additional Prior Approvals: Parks and Recreation Staff; Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Board
After discussions between City staff, City Legal, and Administration, it was determined that the staff would follow the spirit of the policy in good faith, as much as practical. While staff is asking the Council to repeal the policy at the 9/11 meeting before voting on these art pieces, staff followed the spirit of this policy as much as possible by working with the Mayor and Administration to assemble and convene the ad hoc public art committee and asking for its recommendation on the art pieces proposed. One of the goals of the Mobilize the MAGIC City project is to conduct a feasibility study for a public art committee that would make this process clearer and more straightforward. The new public art committee and process work is expected to be complete in early 2024 and be shared with Council.
The 2004 Resolution outlines the five-person ad hoc committee as being comprised of two members appointed by the Mayor, skilled and/or trained in the evaluation of art; one member of the Parks, Recreation, and Cemetery Board; and two representatives that have an interest in the project, however it shall not include a representative that is creating or donating the public art. As a result, staff convened a five-person committee with Corby Skinner and Jessica Rhule (Yellowstone Art Museum) appointed by the Mayor; Thom MacLean as the Parks, Recreation, and Cemetery Board representative; and Tally Monteau (Triia, a subsidiary of the Native American Development Corporation) and Amy Queen (Healthy By Design Coalition) as the two representatives that have an interest in the projects.
The committee met on August 28, 2023 to discuss the proposed art projects listed below and make recommendations to the City Council. While the meeting was not legally advertised and was not a formal public hearing, it was shared on social media platforms, posted in several City facilities, including City Hall and emailed via Civic Send before the meeting and about 15 members of the public attended. All projects were recommended to the Council for approval by votes of the ad hoc committee. Committee Member Corby Skinner chose to abstain from the votes as he did not feel comfortable voting on the works in front of the artists. Each project listed below includes the result of the recommendation vote to Council by the committee, a description of the project, and other relevant information:
Mobilize the MAGIC City Projects
Mobilize the MAGIC City is a project partially funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. Through the project, Terri Porta was hired as the Artist-in-Residence for the City of Billings in 2023 with a task of implementing at least two creative placemaking hubs along Billings first neighborhood bikeway. Ms. Porta also is assisting with the feasibility study for a public art committee as part of her Artist-in-Residence work for the City. The neighborhood bikeway runs from approximately North Park to Rose Park. The effort has included an extensive public outreach effort to gather input on the community’s values and goals and hear reactions on the proposed projects. Outreach included efforts such as:
· A public walk and a bike ride with the artist
· Engagement with an approximately 30-person advisory committee with representatives ranging from task force leaders, the healthcare sector, community development, City staff, and, more
· Tabling events at community events such as the opening of the Eagle Seeker Community Center, Strawberry Fest, Heart and Sole Run, etc.
· Meetings with the Midtown Community Collaborative and Pioneer Park Task Forces
· Postcards to residents within approximately 300 feet of the proposed projects with a link to a survey
· Engagement with relevant departments such as Public Works and Parks, Recreation, and Public Lands
Art pieces presented to the Ad Hoc Art Committee:
Funky Frames (working title)
Location: Triangular Park at Ave. C and N. 32nd St.
Ad Hoc Committee Vote: 4 in favor, 1 abstained
Artist: Terri Porta
Description: “Funky Frames”, is the working title of a Kid-Centric sculpture across from McKinely Elementary School. The frames are welded together as place holders for art that has been created and collaborated with by the artist and the children of Billings. These frames will hold art that has been creatively manipulated around engagement with the arts community. The viewer will also notice that stamped into the concrete are quotes from local art teachers and professionals, encouraging young artists to shoot for their dreams in art. Artist-In-Residence Terri Porta engaged students during McKinley Elementary School art classes and during an after-school program at Highland Elementary to curate the children’s art.
Additional prior approvals: State Historic Preservation Office; National Endowment for the Arts Historic Preservation; Parks and Recreation staff; Parks, Recreation, and Cemetery Board
Kid’s Fridge
Location: Likely 10th and Ave. D
Ad Hoc Committee Vote: 4 in favor, 1 abstained
Artist: Terri Porta
Description: "Kid’s Fridge", is a 10’x5’ frame with vertical steel rods that hold Children’s art. Each piece of art spins with the wind as a double-sided mosaic of sorts. This piece is dedicated to the children of Billings and the art aspirations they have. It fosters a safe and celebratory environment for children to explore their artistic aspirations. Art and creativity are a very fun, playful and life affirming activity, engaging all the senses, helping children synthesis their life experiences. The community of supporters, parents and educators around the arts are also encouraged through this piece to allow the children to shine through their own expression of art.
Staff knocked on doors at both 10th and 11th and Ave. D to determine the best location for this installation. There is more support for the project at 10th and Ave. D and so the piece will likely be placed at this intersection. The piece includes curb extensions which are intended to help slow traffic at this intersection.
Additional prior approvals: State Historic Preservation Office; National Endowment for the Arts Historic Preservation; Public Works Staff
Community Development Block Grant Funded Projects
Following Community Development (CD) Board and Parks, Recreation & Cemetery Board (Parks Board) approvals, on December 20, 2021, the Billings City Council reviewed and approved allocating up to $1 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding and CDBG-Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funding to the Parks, Recreation and Public Land Department to install improvements to parks in low-income areas. This included the reconstruction of the Heritage Trail section within the boundaries of Pioneer Park. Construction was completed in the fall of 2022 and the project came in about $30,000 under budget.
The City Council approved the Mobilize the MAGIC City project, which has the goal of developing a formal process to involve art in everyday life. At the same time, Terri Porta was selected as the City’s new “Artist in Residence” who will be working for a year to implement two creative placemaking hubs along Billings' first neighborhood bikeway (from North Park to Rose Park), document the process in a Placemaking Playbook, and conduct a public arts committee feasibility study.
Because the neighborhood bikeway includes the Heritage Trail section within Pioneer Park, and since aesthetic amenities such as art on public property are an eligible-CDBG expense, staff began exploring the idea of a third placemaking hub on the Heritage Trail section. Terri Porta proposed a “Pink I-Beam” structure on the trail corridor in the Park. The proposed project was reviewed, discussed, and an increased budget of up to $50,000 ($30,000 of remaining budget for the trail project and an additional $20,000 of available CDBG funds) was approved by the CD Board at its August 1, 2023, meeting. The proposed additional element to the Heritage Trail improvement project then went to the Parks Board at its meeting on August 9. The Parks Board voted to approve the installation of the structure on the Heritage Trail.
The Rising
Location: Pioneer Park Heritage Trail
Ad Hoc Committee Vote: 3 voted in favor, 1 opposed, 1 abstained
Ad Hoc Committee Discussion: While the piece was liked, the committee discussed a desire to have the art selection process completed as an open call for artists as it is a separate project from the Mobilize project.
Artist: Terri Porta
Description: Artist statement from Terri Porta: “Dorothy Gray Johnson designed Pioneer Park with winding walkways and recreation on her mind. Her thoughts about the park also included unique cultural experiences such an amphitheater for stage and sound. While visiting Europe, I (Terri) came across and was inspired by the French and Roman architecture. From the tree-lined colonnades of the Champs-Elysees in Paris to sculpture parks of the Venice Biennale I was intrigued. The public commons were a place to celebrate the arts. These are places for the cultural experiences people crave.
The Rising is a twenty-foot-tall and fifty-foot-long arbor with a stain glass painting for a roof supported by pink steel I-beams. The sheltered pathway reflects and as light from the sun shines through it and creates a second painting on the Heritage Trail. The arbor is a sculpture, a structure and an art piece. It represents a rising of the common places. While Covid spread across the world, outdoor common places became even more important to us. "The Rising", is a representative structure of our rising out of the pandemic. As for the painting on the arbor’s roof, it was the first painting I created while in quarantine in March of 2020. I then developed a body of work revolving around my love of outdoor spaces and my love trees. The painting was named "Follow the Light".
When viewers engage with the arbor, I hope they will slow down and breathe in the space. I hope they will find reasons for their own rising in life. I hope their imaginations will spark and their creativity will sing with inspiration."
At the Pioneer Park Task Force meeting on August 23, about 60% of the attendees were in favor of this design based on a casual hand vote. Proponents liked the bright color, fact that it will be lit, its potential to reduce crime through CPTED principles, its use as a starting/ending point for the many races that take place in Pioneer Park and the ability to bring art to this corner of the park. However, there were some vocal opponents of the piece. About 15% would prefer the piece as a different color and about 15% preferred not to have the piece at all. Opponents of the piece did not like the color or felt that the style did not fit with the character of Pioneer Park.
While this project did not include a public call for artists to submit, the City staff are planning to follow the City’s purchasing procedures as the artist’s fee is under the amount where bids are required, and construction and installation of the piece will be bid out through the City process.
Additional Prior Approvals: Community Development Board (funding allocation); Parks and Recreation Staff; Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Board
Comanche Park Basketball Court Mural
Location: Comanche Park
Ad Hoc Committee Vote: 4 in favor, 1 abstained
Artist: Terri Porta
Note: This piece was brought as a courtesy. It is already in development as public art was part of the approved package of CPTED improvements for Comanche Park that was acted on by Council at its March 13, 2023 meeting, a neighborhood survey was conducted by the Parks Department that resulted in 67 responses to choose a mural design, and artist Terri Porta is already under contract for this piece and funding was already expended for supplies.
Description: This is a mural painted on the new Comanche Park basketball court. The public (through a survey noted above) voted between two designs to choose their favorite. This is part of the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design strategy to create positive activities in the park.
South Park Pool Mural
Location: South Park Pool
Ad Hoc Committee Vote: 4 voted in favor, 1 abstained
Description: A group from the South Side Neighborhood Task Force, a local Girl Scout Troop, and a local artist have proposed a mural to be painted on the South Park Pool House. The majority of the work will be done by Girl Scouts to achieve their Silver Award, to serve and make an impact in their community. With design and guidance from artist Elyssa Leininger, the girls will create a mural to improve the pool house and South Park. The Girl Scouts will solicit donated supplies and monetary support for the project.
In 2019, a mural was painted on one side of the pool house with the help of Healthy By Design, a local artist, and several helping hands from the South Side. Over the years, the mural has remained untouched by graffiti or damage. Parks & Recreation maintenance staff have saved valuable hours and supply costs to repaint the walls that were frequently vandalized. An additional mural would be an added benefit for pool visitors and the South Side.
At the Parks Board meeting on August 9 when this project was discussed, it was noted that this project was not going to initially include a protective anti-graffiti coating in case the building is demolished as part of the South Park Pool and Bathhouse renovations included in the Parks, Recreation and Trail Bond slated for a community vote in November. If the bond is not passed, the artist might go back and apply the protective coating. It also has been discussed internally that staff will look into the cost and options for placing the mural on an alternative surface so that it can be relocated and preserved beyond the life of the current bathhouse.
Additional Prior Approvals: Parks and Recreation Staff; Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Board
Skyline Trail Sculptures
Location: Skyline Trail
Ad Hoc Committee Vote: 4 voted in favor, 1 abstained
Description: The Mayor is donating four pieces for the new Skyline Trail which will run in between Swords Park and North Park. The sculptures are approximately 7 feet tall, rusted steel sculptures by artist Ben Breuckman out of Bozeman. The sculptures will represent a person with a baby in a backpack, a person walking a dog, a hiker, and a biker.
Additional Prior Approvals: Parks and Recreation Staff; Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Board
ALTERNATIVES
City Council May:
- Approve all works of public art as recommended by all the advisory boards and committees
- Approve some of the works of public art
FISCAL EFFECTS
These projects are being paid out of funding sources that have been dedicated for public art such as the Mobilize the MAGIC City funds, Community Development Block Grant Funds allocated by the Community Development Board for public art, and private donations.