Decision held off on Public Arts Policy

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Strathmore town council tabled a premature recommendation to pass the first-of-its-kind Public Arts Policy on Oct. 21, after it failed to gather input from the arts community as was originally intended.
Months ago, council instructed Legislative Services to draft a policy for the installation of art around town, which was presented during last week’s regular council meeting.
While the policy received praise overall, council was concerned with the lack of feedback from recognized art groups in town, and asked administration to send a copy of the policy to the organizations for review before bringing the issue back before council.
“I’ve had lots of time to go over this Public Arts Policy and I think it’s a wonderful piece of work and I really congratulate the people who worked on this committee and the review committee, as it really is a great policy and I think it’s one that will serve the community,” said Councillor Denise Peterson.
“In asking to have this brought forward some time ago… one of the things that was also requested and acceded to by administration at the time was that a draft policy would go forward to the arts community for input prior to coming to town council.”
Peterson asked for the policy to be sent to three specific groups within the area – the Strathmore Musical Arts Society, the Strathmore Theatre Players, and the Wheatland Society for the Arts. Council also considered a copy to be sent to other art groups in Strathmore and the district.
The Public Art Policy, which pertains to public spaces only, provides the foundation for the acquisition, installation, maintenance, programming, and management of public art for the Town of Strathmore. As a result the policy will serve to attract creative workers and businesses, ensure a lasting legacy, build a visually rich environment, expand knowledge and understanding of art, encourage the growth of a culturally informed public, and open doors for art opportunities that are freely accessible to everyone.
To aid in its success is the creation of an advisory committee, called the Public Art Board comprised of various stakeholders in the community. Responsibilities include developing a Public Arts Master Plan, and will champion for public art, procedures, plans, guidelines, advise on public art policies, and deal with issues associated with Strathmore.
The policy also raised questions among the community, as Councillor Pat Fule said the topic was brought up at the Downtown Design Review Committee’s Oct. 20 meeting.
The committee wondered about the town’s responsibility, in regards to maintenance or removal, when an accepted art piece is damaged. Other councillors agreed that council would be in charge of the art.
Administration assured council that annual funds will be budgeted towards the maintenance and installation for public art and that council will be the final approving body for all proposed art projects.
Administration’s role will also consist of filling a seat on the board, coordinating the implementation for the Public Arts Master Plan – which council is the final approving body for – managing the budgeted annual funds, liaising with the board in the planning and development of public art, establishing an ongoing maintenance program and coordinating the installation of public art projects.
Councillor Steve Grajczyk sought the opinion of Councillor Peterson to her proposed motion, concerned that by sending the policy to the art groups the document could change considerably. However, Peterson stated she was not concerned.
Council voted unanimously, with the absence of Mayor Ell, to direct administration to send a copy to the three recognized and previously mentioned art groups. The motion also states that the issue be brought back in front of council at an appropriate time.