Williamsburg Public Art Council

City of Williamsburg Agenda Williamsburg Public Art Council Meeting Wednesday, September 7, 2022 @ 10:00 AM Stryker Center (Room 127), 412 N Boundary St, Williamsburg, VA 23185 Page I. CALL TO ORDER II. PUBLIC ART PLAN a. Williamsburg Public Art Plan 2-5 WPAC - Public Art Plan - Draft III. NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting is Monday, September 26, 2022, at 3:30 pm in room 127 at the Stryker Center. IV. 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 8/15/22 Page 2 of 5  DRAFT STRATEGIC PLAN 2022-2025 MISSION To curate a program of public art that will further enhances an innovative and creative environment that celebrates the City’s past, present, and future, reflects the community’s identity, and advances Williamsburg as a world-class destination. VISION To sustain an accessible, inclusive, and engaging program of public art that speaks to the unique lifestyle and cultural vibrancy of the Williamsburg community which inspires a sense of pride and belonging. VALUES • Public art increases economic vitality • 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 • Public art supports the education and celebration of the City’s past, present, and future through collaboration with community leaders and organizations • Public art stimulates the mind and heart, broadens the imagination, communicates a wide range of creative ideas, and promotes a sense of belonging • Public art should be fully accessible, inclusive, and diverse GOALS I. Develop policies and processes that support a dynamic public art program for 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 through engagement with artists, policymakers, and the public. IV. Employ public art to enhance placemaking, create impactful experiences, and contribute to community cohesion. EDITED 8/15/22 Page 3 of 5  DRAFT I. Develop policies and processes that support a dynamic public art program for the community, its businesses, and its visitors. ACTION ITEMS • Develop an annual budget to support public art projects • Identify locations and opportunities suitable for public art projects • Collaborate with City Council and other municipal agencies to consider impacts of public art projects • Select installations that celebrate Williamsburg’s past, present and future • Determine appropriate plans for asset management and acquisition, consulting with trained staff as necessary • Conduct forums to share information, ideas, and expertise • Set high standards to enhance our community’s quality of life 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 III. Cultivate a thriving arts community through engagement with artists, policymakers, and the public. EDITED 8/15/22 Page 4 of 5  DRAFT 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 & 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 8/15/22 Page 5 of 5