Williamsburg Public Art Council

City of Williamsburg Agenda Williamsburg Public Art Council Meeting Monday, August 15, 2022 @ 3:30 PM Stryker Center (Room 128), 412 N Boundary St, Williamsburg, VA 23185 Page I. CALL TO ORDER II. MURAL PROGRAM AT MIDTOWN ROW a. Staff Recommendations for Wall #1 III. PUBLIC ART PLAN a. Williamsburg Public Art Plan (Draft) 2-5 WPAC - Public Art Plan - Draft IV. NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting is Monday, August 29, 2022, at 3:30 pm in room 127 at the Stryker Center. V. ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 5  DRAFT WILLIAMSBURG PUBLIC ART COUNCIL Guide to Strategic Policy and Long-Term Planning ENABLING LEGISLATION On February 11, 2021, as an initiative of the Williamsburg City Council, the Williamsburg Public Arts Council (WPAC) was created to curate a public art program. WPAC is tasked to engage in a review process, funding strategies and planning for a public art program, and is enabled through City Ordinance #21-01. ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND The Williamsburg Public Art Council is organized to: • Advise the City Council on the acquisition, donation, commission and/or funding of public art • Advise on acceptance of gifts and loans of public art and any deaccession of public art from the City’s collection • Develop policies regarding determination of artist qualifications, criteria specific to site attribution, maintenance of public art • Develop a plan for the broad implementation of a robust public art program • Administer public art grant programs on behalf of the City Council • Solicit public art and donations to acquire public art according to the authorization of City Council • Provide an annual report to the City regarding WPAC activities, to include fund expenditures, grants issued, and status of awards, art inventory, maintenance and general status of the public art program WPAC members are engaged as a qualified advisory group for all program areas and types to include planning, design, artistic practice, public policy, and local government consult. STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS The planning process is being initiated following early WPAC discussions regarding review processes for proposals. Discussions of organizational vision were also held, and public opinion was sought through surveys and dialog with public art administrators in a wide demographic area. It is the intention of the WPAC that this plan shall serve as a working document and guide to support a Public Art Program for the City of Williamsburg that provides enrichment for the community and its visitors highlighting the beauty and unique character of the City, its culture and history and to promote community connection. EDITED 7/18/2022 Page 2 of 5  DRAFT STRATEGIC PLAN 2022-2025 MISSION To curate a program of public art that will further enhance an innovative and creative environment that celebrates the City’s past, present, and future, reflects the community’s identity, and enhances Williamsburg as a world-class tourist destination. VISION To sustain a program of engaging public art that speaks to the unique lifestyle and cultural vibrancy of the Williamsburg community. that is accessible, inclusive, engaging, and inspires pride and a sense of belonging within the community. VALUES • Public art increases economic vitality (Economy) • Public art is thought-provoking and inspires people to explore, connect, and pause within a physical space that speaks to the beauty and unique character of the City (Discovery) • Public art supports education and celebration of the City’s past, present and future through collaboration with local and regional community organizations (Educational) • Public art stimulates the mind and heart, broadens the imagination, communicates a wide range of creative ideas, and enhances a sense of belonging. (Inspirational) • Public art should be fully accessible and promote inclusivity and diversity GOALS I. Develop policies and processes that support a dynamic Public Art program that serves the community, its businesses, and its visitors. II. Identify suitable areas for public art, carefully evaluating the compatibility and environmental harmony of the art and its surroundings. III. Cultivate a thriving arts community that engages with policymakers, artists, and the public. IV. Employ public art to enhance placemaking, create impactful experiences, and contribute to community cohesion. EDITED 7/18/2022 Page 3 of 5  DRAFT I. Develop policies and processes that support a dynamic Public Art program that serves the community, its businesses, and its visitors. ACTION ITEMS • WPAC programs will express high expectations to enhance our community’s quality of life • Design an annual budget to support pre-determined public art projects to accomplish in a given year. • Decide on areas for solicitation of commissions • Communicate regularly with the City Council and other agencies to discuss impacts of a specific program. • Choose installations that celebrate Williamsburg’s past, present and future. • Determine appropriate plans for acquisition, maintenance, removal and receipt of gifts, engaging with trained staff as necessary • Consider periodic workshops to discuss project plans, accomplishments and principals II. Identify suitable areas for public art, carefully evaluating the compatibility and environmental harmony of the art and its surroundings. ACTION ITEMS • Conduct a Site Mapping program to identify areas that are suited to creative Installations. • Adapt review processes to consider diverse types of installations: Ephemeral/non-Permanent. Works that fall apart or degrade Installations: Pre-designed for a specific site Applied: Murals/sculptures that are building-mounted, highly visible and large Integrated: Pavement/Building facades. Art made around a surface at hand Stand Alone: Sculpture/large structure. Site specific. Ex. Sculpture garden • Engage to best advantage the expertise of Art Council members in considering all installations • Art installations will be accessible to the general public EDITED 7/18/2022 Page 4 of 5  DRAFT III. Cultivate a thriving arts community that engages with policymakers, artists, and the public. ACTION ITEMS • Build a directory of artists to have a resource of potential creators in diverse fields of work keeping in mind inclusivity • Pursue open communication with William and Mary and Colonial Williamsburg where partnership may be indicated • Program implementation will consider economic advancement opportunities • Program implementation will consider how a work speaks to who we are. • WPAC will establish policies to help determine qualifications, site attribution criteria, amount of financial investment and future maintenance needs. • Artists who respond to commissioned projects will consider that each viewer has a creative vision for expression of certain themes. Public art should enhance the way all citizens view Williamsburg and how we want others to see our community. IV. Employ public art to enhance placemaking, create impactful experiences, and contribute to community cohesion. ACTION ITEMS • Use public art to broaden the locality’s investment in education • Consider multiple art forms, to include places for vocal narrative EDITED 7/18/2022 Page 5 of 5