DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

 

 

 

 

 

TO:

Mayor and Members of Council

 

 

 

 

FROM:

Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services

Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning & Urban Design

 

 

 

 

PREPARED BY:

Linda Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Development

 

 

 

 

DATE OF MEETING:

2005-Feb-15

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT:

Proposed Public Art Implementation Programme for 2005

 

 

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report to Development Service Committee dated February 15, 2005 entitled “Proposed Public Art Implementation Programme for 2005” be received;

 

THAT, in accordance with the Town of Markham’s Public Art Policy Framework, 2003, a consultant be retained to develop a “Municipal Public Art Plan” in conjunction with relevant departments and the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee, and that funding to a maximum of $25,000 be provided from Planning and Urban Design’s Capital Account #56-5350-5293-005, “Town Wide Public Art”;

 

AND THAT, a consultant/curator be retained to work with staff and the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee to undertake an invited “Environmental Art Event” in conjunction with the Town’s 2005 Communities in Bloom Program, and that funding to a maximum of $20,000 be provided from Planning and Urban Design’s Capital Account #56-5350-5293-005, “Town Wide Public Art” for all costs associated with administering and implementing the “Environmental Art Event”;

 

AND FURTHER THAT, staff provide regular updates to Development Services Committee on the status of the municipal art plan and on the environmental art event.

 

 

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to seek Council’s authorization to permit Development Services staff to retain a consultant to develop a “Municipal Public Art Plan”, and to retain a consultant/curator to undertake an “Environmental Art Event” which complements the Town’s 2005 Communities in Bloom Program.

 

BACKGROUND:

In the fall of 2003, Council adopted a “Public Art Policy Framework” as a general framework and process for making decisions about the placing of art on municipal lands as well as a guideline for the future development of specific public art policies. This policy framework deals with aspects such as public art principles and goals, a public art advisory committee, artist/art selection methods, donations, de-accessions, conservation and maintenance, a municipal public art plan, funding opportunities for public art, public art education and promotion, temporary projects, and municipal administration.

 

At the time of adoption of the policy framework, Council directed staff to establish a “Public Art Advisory Committee” having roles and responsibilities as outlined in the policy framework document, and that following establishment of the Public Art Advisory Committee, to report back on the next steps necessary to implement the public art policy framework including how best to spend the $100,000 that has been allocated in the 2003 capital budget for public art.

 

The Markham Public Art Advisory Committee (MPAAC) was established in the fall of 2004. A terms of reference has been established (attached as Appendix A), and the Committee now meets monthly.

 

 

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:

World-wide, cities and towns are realizing that it pays for municipalities to proactively make arts and cultural development a key part of their core business. By nurturing cultural and artistic activities that celebrate community identity and facilitate interaction and understanding among diverse groups, municipalities benefit both culturally and economically, including experiencing increased tourism.

 

In support of this, the MPAAC recommends that the first steps in implementing the newly adopted “Public Art Policy Framework” should be to:

  • Develop a Municipal Public Art Plan as recommended in the “Public Art Policy Framework” document (Section 13, page 34) and to,
  • Undertake an “Environmental Art Event” in conjunction with Markham’s 2005 Communities in Bloom program.

 

Development of a Municipal Public Art Plan:

 

One of the key responsibilities of the MPPAC is to serve as a support resource to Town staff and Council in regard to input on public art proposals, including the planning and implementation of public art projects.  A Municipal Public Art Plan is essential to guide decision making.  

 

The purpose of a Municipal Public Art Plan is to create a long- range plan that anticipates placing public art on public and private lands. A Municipal Public Art Plan prioritizes potential sites for public art as it reviews plans for short and long-term civic improvements in new and existing areas of the Town. A Municipal Public Art Plan is essential in identifying priorities, criteria and parameters to assist staff, the Varley Art Gallery, and the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee, and Council in evaluating public art proposals for various sites, including Markham Centre. Such a plan anticipates the need for public art locations and prioritizes them, and as such provides a defensible basis for approving donations or acquisitions.  A Municipal Public Art Plan also defines a financial strategy and addresses the notion of pooling funds from various sources. If different sources of funds are donated to the Town, through private or public initiatives, the plan also projects how and where those funds should be targeted.

 

Funding to a maximum of $25,000 is requested to cover the cost of hiring a consultant to develop the Municipal Public Art Plan and to undertake all necessary public consultation, including working with the MPPAC and the relevant Town departments, as required in the development of such a plan.

 

 

Undertake an “Environmental Art Event”:

 

The Town of Markham has identified “Communities in Bloom” as a major priority for 2005. The Communities in Bloom program is designed to involve residents of all ages, municipal government, local organizations and businesses to improve the tidiness, appearance and visual appeal of neighbourhoods, parks and open spaces and streets. Communities in Bloom focuses on improving the Town’s quality of life and community pride through the imaginative use of flowers, plants, trees, environmental awareness and the preservation of culture and heritage.

 

In order to support Markham’s Communities in Bloom program, staff and the MPAAC recommends that an “Environmental Art Event” be undertaken that would coincide with the Communities in Bloom judge’s visit sometime in July or August. Because of the short timeline, it is recommended that a consultant/curator be hired to administer and implement this art event and to work closely with Development Services staff and others, including the MPAAC.  The intention is to invite specific artists to participate in this environmental art event which celebrates Markham’s environmental and cultural heritage – a key theme of the Communities in Bloom Program.

 

Environmental art is unique, site specific, and often temporary, because it observes and interacts with the natural environment for a particular period of time while at the same time engaging and celebrating communities. In this instance, artists would create environmental art installations that would be erected on selected Town parks in each of Markham’s four communities – Unionville, Thornhill, Markham and Milliken. Community participation would be encouraged where possible as a means to invite families and the public to participate and explore engaging artwork that helps them to confront and understand current environmental and sustainability issues. Visitors and residents alike would have the opportunity to tour the sites to meet the artists, and view their temporary artistic creations in order to stimulate public reflection, dialogue and possibly participation in environmental and cultural matters.

 

Funding to a maximum of $20,000 is requested to retain a consultant/curator to work with Development Services staff and the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee to undertake an invited “Environmental Art Event” and to cover all costs associated with administering and implementing the event.

 

 

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Staff recommend that funding be provided to a maximum of $25,000 to retain a consultant to develop a “Municipal Public Art Plan” from Planning and Urban Design’s Capital Account #56-5350-5293-005, “Town Wide Public Art”. Staff also recommend that funding to a maximum of $20,000 be provided from Planning and Urban Design’s Capital Account #56-5350-5293-005, “Town Wide Public Art” to undertake an invited “Environmental Art Event” in the summer of 2005.

 

Budget:                                                             $100,000 (#56-5350-5293-005)

Municipal Public Art Plan Cost:             -$25,000

Environmental Art Event Cost:              -$20,000

Budget Remaining:                                            $55,000

 

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

The Markham Public Art Advisory Committee, the Director of the Varley Art Gallery, the Communities in Bloom Program Manager, and Finance have been consulted in the preparation of this report.

 

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Markham Public Art Advisory Committee, Terms of Reference

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valerie Shuttleworth, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.

Director of Planning & Urban Design

 

Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.

Commissioner of Development Services

 

 

 

Q:\Development\Design\linda\Parks\DSCPublicArt2005.doc