Public Art Committee

Durham Cultural Advisory Board’s PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE Meeting, April 15, 2015, 8:30 a.m. Adaron Hall, Durham Arts Council DRAFT MINUTES Members Present: _X_ Kathy Bartlett _X_ Margaret DeMott _X_ Dan Ellison _X_ Jeffrey Goldman ___ Noel James ___ Erika Martinez _X_ Chris Ogden (Chair) _X_ Charlene Reiss _X_ Julie Rhodes _X_ Katie Seiz _X_ Karen Slotta _X_ Pamela Taylor ___ Gail Williams OEWD Staff Present: _X_ Peter Coyle Also Present : Renee Leverty, George Hining, Matthew Coppedge, Lisa Miller The meeting was called to order by Chair Chris Ogden at 8:30 a.m. Kathy Bartlett made a motion to accept the minutes of the March 25, 2015 meeting, with corrections. Karen Slotta seconded the motion. It was approved unanimously. Peter Coyle reported that the Civil Rights Mural is on schedule for completion by June 30 and that work is moving forward on the approval process and contract with the State for the Willard Street mural project. Katie Seiz inquired about the level of community input on the Willard street mural. The Nasher double mural project is moving forward. The YMCA has approved use of their building face for the downtown Durham piece. Coyle reported that for funding and staffing reasons the proposed summer youth neighborhood mural project is being postponed and hopefully will occur in the fall. Dan Ellison suggested that the Durham Art Guild be invited to assist with the neighborhood mural project in conjunction with their mentorship program. Katie Seiz was open to exploring such possible collaborations. Coyle reported that his department has requested $35,000 in CIP funding for FY2016 (to be added to the accrued $15,000) for a sculpture project at Durham Station. A goal is to encourage other art at the Station. DOT seems favorable to synergistic performances, as long as they do not disrupt bus services. He reported that the proposed Liberty Arts donation of a sculpture, The April 15, 2015 Durham Public Art Committee Minutes page 1 of 4 Pursuit of Happiness, to remain permanently at its temporary location in the Convention Center Plaza, is moving toward a City Council vote on May 4. Ogden reported that art consultant Jean Greer, DAC, and the state arts council had recommended member(s) of this Committee attend the Americans for the Arts Annual Conference. He researched costs and roughly estimated $2,750 per person investment would be necessary. He inquired if OEWD could reimburse one or two members, but was informed it would not be possible this year, but perhaps next year. Ogden introduces Matthew Coppedge, of Downtown Durham Incorporated, and George Hining of the MHAworks architectural firm, to present a proposal for public art on Main Street. Coppedge and Hining explained the basic concept of using sculpture as lighting elements along Main Street. They explained the history of the Sign Grant project downtown, which funded ~40 illuminated signs, including Dames and Motorco. They noted that the tree plantings along Main Street created a number of dark areas, as the trees block light from the street lamps. Studies have shown that pedestrians are unlikely to walk more than 70 feet in darker areas because of safety concerns, and/or unless they are pulled toward something interesting to see. Lighting the trees themselves is against the current UDO, whether via uplighting or by string lights. Additionally, the sidewalks’ topography is varied, and can be broken into various zones, each with unique opportunities, such as pole lighting and light sculptures. Fortunately, the sidewalks are brick, which will facilitate underground wiring. Peter Coyle reported that DDI has pledged $12,000 toward the project and his office hopes to contribute between $70,000 and $88,000 to the project. Hining noted the need to build a team of artists and electrical engineers to design the project artworks. Coyle noted that using the Request for Qualifications process rather than a Request for proposals process will allow the selection of artists who can cooperate with each other and the City to develop a unified vision for the project pieces. He explained the need to move quickly to contract with DDI and encumber the necessary funds before the end of the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. Julie Rhodes suggested that involving an industrial designer might be helpful and suggested that NC State University might be a good source. Dan Ellison suggested encouraging downtown businesses to cooperate in the project and perhaps add additional resources or art works through that cooperation. Ogden asked about potential tie-ins or cooperation with the SmART project. He also asked about collaboration and/or grants from Cree Research. Kathy Bartlett underscored a desire that while various lighting installations could differ, that there be a unifying feel to the overall installation. She also suggested ideas for involving businesses in supporting the project. Margaret DeMott asked if streets other than Main Street, such as Chapel Hill Street, would be considered. Coppedge suggested that the project on Main Street could serve as a template for future expansions of the concept to other locations. Charlene Reiss mad a motion to endorse the project concept. Kathy Bartlett seconded the motion. It passed unanimously. Ogden reported on the resurrection of a prior proposal being advanced by the Durham Performing Arts Center to rename Vivian Street, which runs in front of the center and to create a Durham performing arts walk of fame. Bartlett noted that the Durham Arts Council, several April 15, 2015 Durham Public Art Committee Minutes page 2 of 4 years ago, developed a list of significant Durham artists for The Gala. She will contact the DAC and get a copy of that list for the DPAC Oversight Committee. Ogden reported that the Police headquarters Task Force is developing ideas for messaging to the City Council through a Cultural Advisory Board resolution to the Council. They will try to build political and financial support for a substantial, integrated public art presence in the building and will reference the new Joint City/County Economic development Plan and other City strategic initiatives. He reminded the group of the outstanding need for the Public Art Committee to draft a job description for a public art consultant, following a previous suggestion that the Police Headquarters project be used as a possible case study for that consultancy. A longer-term goal would be to develop support over time for a full percent for art policy. He suggested that a subcommittee of the committee be appointed to draft the proposed job description for submission to the Office of Economic and Workforce development with a request for funding. He reported that the General Services Department will host a public visioning session for the Police headquarters design and construction project and he encouraged committee members to attend. Renee Leverty reported that the Cultural Advisory Board held a special meeting on April 6 to discuss the resolution to the City Council and that the Board voted to support the idea and move forward on it. She presented a working draft for the proposed resolution. Ogden noted that it contains three key goals: a request for 1% funding from the project construction budget, involvement by this committee from the beginning of the design process, and integration with existing police department messaging. He emphasized a pragmatic approach that would focus on usable art and leverage existing construction line items (eg, painting, lighting, ceilings/walls/floors, security bollards) to include public for incremental investments rather than 100% additional add-on costs. He reported that he and Reiss toured the current Police headquarters on April 14 and met with police staff members. Leverty stated that she will move the draft resolution forward to the Cultural Advisory Board, with changes suggested by the committee. Ogden reported that the committee is in discussions with General Services Department staff and has requested a meeting with the project architects. He will be working with Leverty on a target date to present the resolution to ta City Council work session. Reiss demonstrated the Pinterest site she has created with information and examples about the incorporation of art into other police facilities around the country. Julie Rhodes noted that the architects, O’Brien Atkins have a good track record for including art in their projects. Bartlett reported that she will be updating the committee accomplishments document she has developed. Ogden reported that we should look on-line at the Public art Network site for possible messaging information. He noted that it is unlikely that the City Council will approve the full one percent funding for the Police headquarters project, but that it would be an important advance if the request leads to a recognition of the idea to involve the committee from the beginning on this and future construction projects. He noted that is art is considered from the beginning of the planning April 15, 2015 Durham Public Art Committee Minutes page 3 of 4 and design process, it would not necessarily mean having to add the one percent to the budget as some funds already programmed could include arts elements. Julie Rhodes suggested that it might be appropriate to rename the committee the Public Art and Design Committee. Coyle explained the process for getting City Council approval of any changes to the current Public Art Policy and suggested that any proposal to rename the committee should be part of a broader proposal for policy changes. Ogden noted that a considerable amount of effort will be needed in the next few weeks to gather all the information needed for documentation supporting the resolution to the City Council about the Police Headquarters. He asked for volunteers from the committee to assist in that process. Seiz volunteered to work on tracking down assets for the powerpoint presentation, including larger/higher quality images, project descriptions, ROIs, and cost estimates. Jeff Goldman and Bartlett agreed to help her. Ogden offered to send out a Doodle Poll, to find a time for a new committee member orientation session. Charlene Reiss made a motion to adjourn. Margaret DeMott seconded the motions. It was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:20 am. April 15, 2015 Durham Public Art Committee Minutes page 4 of 4