15.A.
City Council Draft Agenda
- Meeting Date:
- 08/26/2025
- Co-Submitter:
- Jana Weldon
- From:
- Cristen Crujido, Beautification, Arts and Sciences Project Administrator
TITLE
Shaping Public Art through Public Input at Downtown Connection Center and Cleo Murdoch Park
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Share process and outcomes to Beautification, Arts & Sciences community outreach and engagement efforts for the time-table element of Southside Grove at the Downtown Connection Center and Rustle at Cleo Murdoch Park. Seek input from Council on future projects going forward.
Executive Summary:
The presentation will inform City Council of the efforts and successes of the program’s community outreach and engagement as demonstrated in two Southside art installations. Staff will also facilitate an understanding of inclusive outreach practices that meet various City goals, policies, and key community priorities.
Information:
Background
The City provides public art through its Beautification, Arts & Sciences program. This program (and others) are funded by a 2% local transaction privilege tax (sales tax) on gross income generated by hotels and restaurants. City staff run the program, with significant input from the Beautification and Public Arts Commission (BPAC). As outlined in the Flagstaff City Code, Chapter 2-14 the City Council makes ultimate decisions on annual funding for public art, and for public art projects where the resulting contract for public art costs $100,000 or more, after considering BPAC recommendations. The City consults BPAC and the community on public art projects as outlined below.
Community Engagement
The Beautification, Arts & Sciences program prioritizes community engagement in public art from conception to completion. Emphasizing representation, outreach is designed to build trust and create opportunities for community members to contribute to outcomes. By intentionally connecting with a wide range of residents and incorporating their input into the creative process, the program ensures public art projects are grounded in shared histories and experiences and reflect the distinct character of each neighborhood.
Efforts include accessible and creative feedback tools, including city-wide surveys, presentations at community meetings, focus groups and selection panels. Ideas and feedback gathered through these platforms and sessions are recorded and shared with the artist or artist team to inform and inspire their designs. Outreach is further expanded through a mix of digital, print, and in-person strategies, such as social media, eblasts, flyer distribution, neighborhood canvassing, and local paid and earned media coverage.
Southside Grove at the Downtown Connection Center
The Southside Grove is a landmark sculpture located in a landscaped area adjacent to the Downtown Connection Center entry plaza, a recently completed civic space. Outreach and engagement conducted in 2021 and 2022 by Beautification, Arts & Sciences and artist team Haddad|Drugan resulted in a monumental installation that consists of six Ponderosa pine trees that represent the strength of the Southside community. The installation also includes a granite, etched tree-ring timetable captures significant historical events with a focus on the Southside community and broader Northern Arizona region. Community engagement with Southside residents, business owners, community associations, project partners, and the greater public ensured an art installation seamlessly integrated into the natural environment and meaningful to the entire community.
Rustle at Cleo Murdoch Park
In 2024, with input from local community members, artist Beth Nybeck’s proposal, Rustle, was chosen for a sculpture at the newly named Cleo Murdoch Park, located next to the Murdoch Community Center. It was desired that common themes for this artwork include the importance of Southside history, the unity of the neighborhood, how the neighborhood is supportive of one another, equity and justice, multicultural experience, and embedded memories. Outreach was conducted by Beautification, Arts & Sciences to engage current and former Southside residents to share significant personal and collective memories to create a public artwork that is impactful, long-lasting, and celebrates the Southside neighborhood, its history, and its people.
Key Policy Goals:
The City provides public art through its Beautification, Arts & Sciences program. This program (and others) are funded by a 2% local transaction privilege tax (sales tax) on gross income generated by hotels and restaurants. City staff run the program, with significant input from the Beautification and Public Arts Commission (BPAC). As outlined in the Flagstaff City Code, Chapter 2-14 the City Council makes ultimate decisions on annual funding for public art, and for public art projects where the resulting contract for public art costs $100,000 or more, after considering BPAC recommendations. The City consults BPAC and the community on public art projects as outlined below.
Community Engagement
The Beautification, Arts & Sciences program prioritizes community engagement in public art from conception to completion. Emphasizing representation, outreach is designed to build trust and create opportunities for community members to contribute to outcomes. By intentionally connecting with a wide range of residents and incorporating their input into the creative process, the program ensures public art projects are grounded in shared histories and experiences and reflect the distinct character of each neighborhood.
Efforts include accessible and creative feedback tools, including city-wide surveys, presentations at community meetings, focus groups and selection panels. Ideas and feedback gathered through these platforms and sessions are recorded and shared with the artist or artist team to inform and inspire their designs. Outreach is further expanded through a mix of digital, print, and in-person strategies, such as social media, eblasts, flyer distribution, neighborhood canvassing, and local paid and earned media coverage.
Southside Grove at the Downtown Connection Center
The Southside Grove is a landmark sculpture located in a landscaped area adjacent to the Downtown Connection Center entry plaza, a recently completed civic space. Outreach and engagement conducted in 2021 and 2022 by Beautification, Arts & Sciences and artist team Haddad|Drugan resulted in a monumental installation that consists of six Ponderosa pine trees that represent the strength of the Southside community. The installation also includes a granite, etched tree-ring timetable captures significant historical events with a focus on the Southside community and broader Northern Arizona region. Community engagement with Southside residents, business owners, community associations, project partners, and the greater public ensured an art installation seamlessly integrated into the natural environment and meaningful to the entire community.
Rustle at Cleo Murdoch Park
In 2024, with input from local community members, artist Beth Nybeck’s proposal, Rustle, was chosen for a sculpture at the newly named Cleo Murdoch Park, located next to the Murdoch Community Center. It was desired that common themes for this artwork include the importance of Southside history, the unity of the neighborhood, how the neighborhood is supportive of one another, equity and justice, multicultural experience, and embedded memories. Outreach was conducted by Beautification, Arts & Sciences to engage current and former Southside residents to share significant personal and collective memories to create a public artwork that is impactful, long-lasting, and celebrates the Southside neighborhood, its history, and its people.
Key Policy Goals:
- Community Outreach Council Goal: Enhance public transparency and accessibility.
- PBB High Performance Governance-Cultivate community communication engagement practices that are clear, consistent, and timely
- PBB High Performance Governance-Implement and communicate innovative and efficient local government programs, new ideas, and best practices
- PBB Inclusive & Engaged Community-Proactively foster community representation and civic engagement by enhancing opportunities for public involvement, in line with best practices
- PBB Inclusive & Engaged Community-Facilitate and foster equity, diversity, and inclusivity
- PBB Inclusive & Engaged Community-Enhance the City’s involvement in community, education, and regional partnerships to strengthen the level of public trust
- PBB Livable Community-Create a welcoming community through partnerships, resilient neighborhoods
- PBB Livable Community-Create a welcoming community through partnerships, resilient neighborhoods
- PBB Livable Community-Work with regional partners that provide equitable and inclusive educational and cultural opportunities for Flagstaff residents of all ages
- Goal CC.4-Design and develop all projects to be contextually sensitive, to enhance a positive image and identity for the region.
- Goal CC.5-Support and promote art, science, and education resources for all to experience.
- Goal CC.6-Encourage Native American art and Southwestern culture.
- Goal LU.1-Invest in existing neighborhoods and activity centers for the purpose of developing complete, and connected places.
- Goal LU.3-Continue to enhance the region’s unique sense of place within the urban, suburban, and rural context.
- Goal LU.11-Prioritize the continual reinvigoration of downtown Flagstaff, whose strategic location, walkable blocks, and historic buildings will continue to be a vibrant destination for all
- Goal NH.1-Foster and maintain healthy and diverse urban, suburban, and rural neighborhoods in the Flagstaff region.
- Goal ED.6-Tourism will continue to provide a year-round revenue source for the community, while expanding specialized tourist resources and activities.
- Goal ED.7-Continue to promote and enhance Flagstaff ’s unique sense of place as an economic development driver.