Public Art Committee

Public Art Committee Agenda Merriam Community Center, 6040 Slater August 8, 2024 - 5:30 PM If you require any accommodation (i.e. qualified interpreter, large print, reader, hearing assistance) in order to attend this meeting, please notify the Administrative Office at 913-322-5500 no later than 24 hours prior to the beginning of the meeting. I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. ACTION ITEMS 1. Consider approval of the July 11, 2024 Public Art Committee meeting minutes. Public Art Committee - Jul 11 2024 - Minutes IV. PROJECT UPDATES 1. Public Art Project Proposal DRAFT - Public Art Project Proposal PAC Project Preferences-2024 2. City Updates 3. Other Business from the Floor V. ADJOURNMENT  MINUTES Public Art Committee Meeting City of Merriam, Kansas Merriam Community Center, 6040 Thursday, July 11, 2024 5:30 PM Slater I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Shawn McConnell called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Committee Members Present: Staff Present: Christopher Leitch Lauren Krivoshia, Assistant to the City Administrator Gerald Becker Jan Schoonover Jordan Gomez Julie Denesha Maggie McConnell Shawn McConnell Jason Silvers Staci Chivetta Christine Nelson Vanessa Chasm Committee Members Absent: III. ACTION ITEMS 1. Consider approval of the June 13, 2024 Public Art Committee meeting minutes. IV. PROJECT UPDATES 1. Develop Public Art Project This committee discussed how they would like to develop the next public art project proposal. There were many sites identified in the Public Art and Placemaking Master Plan. Location could dictate the type of art. One committee member expressed interest Page 1 of 2 Public Art Committee Minutes – July 11, 2024 in working with artists to select the site they would like to create artwork for. Others suggested a preference for projects with limitations to make the project more streamlined. The previous public art process selected a site first and that worked well. An idea was also discussed to identify three possible sites for an RFQ. The RFQ should ask if the artist has worked with a municipality or committee before. Discussion about artist selection focused on a preference to work with local or regional artists who know the community. The placemaking outcomes of most interest included City Identity and History. The committee showed interest in a work of art that showcases the Webb v. School District 90 court case with something permanent, beautiful, and inspiring. It was noted that Brown Park is located across the street from the former Walker School, now Philadelphia Baptist Church. The church is currently seeking national historic register recognition. Funding for the program is in the City’s 5-year Capital Improvement Program. The funding does not have to be divided evenly over the years, and the funding could be used to hire a consultant to help facilitate or manage the art procurement process. The committee agreed to set a goal of unveiling new artwork by the City’s 75th birthday in October of 2025. To help streamline committee preferences, staff will collect preferred sites, themes, and other project proposal info from each committee member before the next meeting. 2. City Updates The Merriam Community Center will host Canvas Collective Art Workshops this fall in collaboration with the Arts Council of Johnson County. Work on the Public Art Tour on Otocast is underway, and the committee has offered to be testers before we begin promoting the program. Plans for the 75th Birthday celebration continue, and the City is looking to include some sort of live artist engagement during the party. Work is underway on creating a one page Public Art and Placemaking Master Plan summary. 3. Other Business from the Floor Maggie McConnell was welcomed back to the committee after being away at art school for several months. V. ADJOURNMENT There being no other items to consider the meeting was adjourned at 6:31 p.m. Page 2 of 2 DRAFT Public Art Project Proposal / RFQ / RFP The City of Merriam is seeking qualifications from professional artists or artist teams for a public art project at {{Location}}. This project aims to {{Goals - foster interaction and connectivity while encouraging people to engage as explorers of art in unexpected places. The project should celebrate the city’s history and engage its residents, draw attention to and beautify public space, and position Merriam as a vibrant community supportive of and supported by arts and culture.}} {{Brief background of Merriam.}} Placemaking Outcomes / Project Goal ● Gathering Place: Artworks foster interaction, accessibility, and connectivity, which are ● ● T critical components of a community gathering place. City Identity: Public art can reflect, elevate or shift the City’s identity History: Public art can celebrate and bring awareness to Merriam’s incredible history. Other outcomes: Engagement, and Creative Class Site(s) R Turkey Creek Streamway Trail, Bridge over Carter Ave., Unexpected Places, “The Clearing” AF Other sites: Brown Park, Downtown Merriam Budget $25,000–$75,000 Theme/Concept The primary theme of the artwork should be {{nature/environment or community identity/history}}. D The artwork could be functional in creating a shaded resting or gathering place along the Turkey Creek Streamway Trail. Interactive components are encouraged. Schedule August: Circulate proposal with City departments; City Council September: Publish RFQ TBD: RFQ Deadline TBD: Review responses / Vet finalists TBD: Invite finalists to develop proposals; Notify artists not selected TBD: Site visit / Briefing session with finalists TBD: Finalist presentations/interviews; Select artist TBD: Notify selected artists DRAFT TBD: Recommend to City Council TBD: Fabrication / Site preparation TBD: Installation Artist Eligibility Open to all professional and emerging artists, with priority given to those who live, work, or have a meaningful connection to the greater Kansas City region, who are 18 years and older and legally able to work in the United States. Submission Requirements Artists or artist teams interested in this project are not being asked to develop a specific proposal at this time. Interested artists should submit the following materials: T 1. Letter of Interest: A brief statement (no more than two pages) outlining your interest in this project; relevant experience including past public art projects or collaboration with municipal governments; and conceptual approach to public art. 2. Resume/CV R 3. Artist Statement 4. Portfolio: Up to 10 images of previous work, with an annotated image list including title, date, medium, dimensions, location, and project budget. AF 5. References: Contact information for at least three professional references who can speak to your qualifications and past work experience. Artist teams should submit one Letter of Interest, a resume for each artist, an artist statement for each artist plus a combined statement, 10 images total, at least one reference per artist. Selection Process Merriam’s Public Art Committee will review the submitted qualifications. The committee will evaluate submissions based on the following criteria: ● Artistic excellence and innovation ● Relevant experience and professional qualifications D ● ● Ability to work within budget and timeline References and past performance Shortlisted artists {{3-5}} will be invited to develop a detailed proposal for the project and asked to interview. A stipend of {{$1,500}} will be provided for this work. Proposals will include: ● ● An introduction and big picture overview of your proposal concept and how it will enhance a visitor's experience at the site. Detailed images and descriptions of major elements of your initial design. These may consist of working drawings, video animations, maquettes, etc. ● A refined budget DRAFT ● Long-term car requirements. How will your work respond to outdoor elements such as wind, rain, snow, ice, ice-melting chemicals, climbing children, being hit by weed-eater filament or rocks thrown by mowers, tree sap, etc. The final artist selection will be based on the interview and proposal review with the following evaluation criteria: ● Connection to placemaking outcomes ● Expression of community values/connection/engagement ● Use of site, artwork durability, and project feasibility Preference for artists who have a connection to the area or region. Preference for professional artists or artist teams with experience in public art projects. Preference for projects that engage the community. Contact T AF For questions or additional information, please contact: Lauren Krivoshia Assistant to the City Administrator lkrivoshia@merriam.org 913-322-5501 Additional Information Artists are encouraged to review Merriam’s Public Art and Placemaking Master Plan - At a D Glance for a better understanding of the goals and values of the Public Art Committee. For more information about the City of Merriam and our public art program, visit merriam.org/publicart. R Equal Opportunity The City of Merriam is committed to equity and inclusion in its public art program and encourages submissions from artists of all backgrounds and experiences. PAC Project Preferences 10 responses Publish analytics Name 10 responses Julie Denesha Jan Schoonover Margaret McConnell Vanessa Christine Nelson Jordan gomez Christopher Leitch Becker Jason Shawn McConnell Placemaking Outcomes - select 3 Copy 10 responses City Identity 5 (50%) Wayfinding 1 (10%) Neighborhood Identity 0 (0%) Gathering Place 6 (60%) History 5 (50%) Health and Safety 0 (0%) Engagement 5 (50%) Inclusion 2 (20%) Tourism 1 (10%) Property Redevelopment 0 (0%) Business Development 0 (0%) Creative Class 5 (50%) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Theme Copy 10 responses Nature/environment 20% Functional 10% Aesthetics-traditional History 10% 10% Culture/traditions Whimsical 10% Interactive/community-created 20% 10% Aesthetics-non-traditional 10% Preferred Sites - select 4 Copy 10 responses City streets/medians/ro… 3 (30%) Antioch Park 1 (10%) Historic Downtown corr… 4 (40%) Unexpected places 4 (40%) Merriam Marketplace 0 (0%) Merriam Community C… 1 (10%) Turkey Creek Streamw… 4 (40%) Waterfall Park 0 (0%) Neighborhoods 0 (0%) Chatlain Park 2 (20%) Brown Park 4 (40%) Corridors or Gateways 1 (10%) Gathering Places 3 (30%) Shawnee Mission Park… 4 (40%) Shawnee Mission Park… 1 (10%) W. Frontage Road and… 0 (0%) Traffic island at Grandv… 0 (0%) Utility box 0 (0%) Merriam Historic Plaza,… 1 (10%) Bus stop at Johnson D… 1 (10%) Bus stop at Johnson D… 0 (0%) The Clearing on Turke… 3 (30%) Antioch Road between… 1 (10%) Private Property 1 (10%) Dutch Maid site 1 (10%) 0 1 2 3 4 Project Budget Copy 10 responses Less than $25,000 50% $25,000-$75,000 Greater than $75,000 50% Artist Eligibility 8 responses Must have a record of creating successful public art in the past. none Not necessarily a restriction, but they should have a good sense of engagement and mindset that gears toward bringing people in. Current or former Kansas resident. No restrictions I’d like to find a regional artist to begin with (I have no idea, maybe within 200 mile radius from KC?) but I’m not tied to that requirement for every project going forward. That we encourage but do not restrict to local I want to restrict artists who historically underbid projects. Selection Process 8 responses DO NOT want to include an outside juror. DO want to include a portfolio and an artist stipend We should be flexible and fast. Having the artist included a portfolio of their best work is something we definitely need to include and take into consideration if they have done pieces that are meant to be displayed outdoors. I think having 3 to 5 finalists would be a good number range so we aren’t overwhelmed with a final decision. Listen to community survey responses and apply that to the decision making process. it would be amazing to include the community, but not sure if that would hold up our process if we are trying to get something done by next oct - for Merriam 75th birthday. otherwise I don't have a strong feelings about dos & don'ts on the process. I’d love to see portfolio/past experience presented to us during the selection process. Just like a job interview, I want to learn more about each candidate through their relevant experience. I think a juror is case dependent. As much community involvement as possible, not just the little art club deciding in secret. I am eager not to presume that something is "beyond" what "normal" people can accept before we ask for responses and dialogues. Artists should be compensated if a proposal is requested. I am not in favor of rigid point schemes, but I do favor agreed-upon criteria. These should include: record of accomplishment in their field; ability to articulate how their work can enliven our community according to the values we've enumerated in our plan; evidence of aesthetic / art historical merit. Experience is interesting but we shouldn't limit to professional "public artists" - we end up with generic and sterile. We can help steer toward eventual "feasibility" - let's let artists imagine broadly and coax our understanding; it's a horrid thing to START at the baseline of doability. I propose eliminating the idea of public jurors and community feedback on individual pieces and keeping the artist selection process to the PAC committee. Additionally, I recommend limiting the number of semi-finalists to prevent undue optimism among artists and manage expectations more effectively. This content is neither created nor endorsed by Google. Report Abuse - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy Forms