HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PAC-2014-10-22Approved by PAC – 11/12/14
PUBLIC ART COMMISSION
October 22, 2014
MINUTES
Attended by: Sally Grubb, Samantha Hillson, Jay Potter, Jessica Shurberg, Caleb Thomas, Gary Ferguson
(DIA), Frank Nagy (Director of Parking), and Megan Wilson (Planner), Jacqueline Viola (Cornell student),
Kyja Kutnick (Cornell student), Kimberly Blacutt (Cornell student)
Additions to the Agenda
Caleb requested the following items be added to the agenda: Ithaca Festival; Approval of Walls by BPW
Approval of Minutes
None
Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge
Caleb sent out a link and suggested that we consider applying for the Bloomberg Public Art Challenge.
Sally, Megan, Gary, and John met today (Oct6ober 22nd) to discuss any ideas that might be worth
pursuing. We would compete against other cities with a population of 30,000 or more so we need a
project that grabs attention in order to be competitive. There will be a minimum of three awards of up
to $1 million each. The smaller group discussed the following ideas:
Working with sister cities
Focusing on a theme, such as sustainable earth
Bringing artists to the community to work and showcase the final piece
An intercollegiate competition that would involve other institutions around the country.
At the conclusion of the meeting, it was decided that everyone would continue to consider ideas and
discuss further at the end of the week. At that point, we will then determine whether it is work
pursuing. PAC discussed the following points:
Gary and Sally recommended looking at the Grand Rapids, MI art challenge. We could do a
similar Ithaca‐scaled event.
Jay mentioned the City’s Comp Plan Arts focus group and suggested looking at those notes for
big ideas discussed, particularly how to become a beacon for the arts and an arts destination.
Jay suggested a light installation that could be generated by solar power.
Jessica suggested sound gardens located in different areas that could have videos that project to
other areas.
Bring green areas, such as the gorges, into hardscaped urban areas
Bring the community together through art.
Draw attention and people to dark, less inviting areas of the city.
Caleb noted that when thinking about what we do well, he thinks about the Cayuga Waterfront
Trail and the connections it provides. Connections could be a focus.
Incorporate the Get‐Up State event.
Approved by PAC – 11/12/14
PAC agreed that it needs to be remarkable, one of a kind event. For the next step, everyone should
write a short paragraph of what the project should be. If there’s enough viable options, a follow‐up
meeting will be scheduled.
Another 21 Boxes
Updates
There are two boxes remaining: Linda Wingerter’s box at Cayuga & Tompkins and Sara Fort’s box at
State & Stewart. Megan will follow up with the artists to see when they will complete their work.
Pamela Drix’s box at Stewart & Buffalo had a flier attached to it, damaging the paint. No repair or follow
up is needed at this time.
Sally is preparing the final grant report for CAP.
Megan reported that two high school students will be photographing public art this fall, including the
Another 21 Boxes.
Caleb will be applying the 21 Boxes logo to the completed 2014 electrical boxes.
Buffalo & Geneva Box
While everyone would like to see the box at Buffalo & Geneva painted, several PAC members are
uncomfortable with selecting from the remaining proposals since it is such a prominent corner. PAC
discussed issuing a call just for that box, painting it yellow with a coming soon message, and a PAC
collaboration. The group decided to issue a call for art for the box with painting in the spring.
Guided Tour/Mobile App
Sam met about an app for Another 21 Boxes via pocketsites.com. She had sent a link previously and
PAC go check out the link before it would go live. A lot of their work is based on college campuses and
campus tours. There is an interactive component where people can upload photos to the tour, as well
as other features. The artists could get involved by providing information to be uploaded to the app.
The app would be free to PAC.
PAC should discuss the work that the GIS division has already done on a GIS tour of public art. Megan
will invite GIS to attend a meeting or meet separately to discuss. Is there a way for GIS to work
together with pocketsites.com so no one is duplicating efforts?
Jay noted that we need to document all of the projects. This would be helpful to PAC in terms of
pursuing more publicity for its projects.
Dryden Rd. Parking Garage
Megan reported that she and Frank met to work on the funding for the Dryden Rd. Garage mural
project. To finalize the budget, they needed to assign artists to walls within the garage. Artists who
requested a particular wall or a particular size were assigned those walls, and attention was given to the
special needs of particular proposals (such as the installation involving newspaper). All of the artists will
be given their requested amount of funds for materials, and artists who requested funding for their time
will be awarded funding based on the size of wall they will paint. Most of the artists would receive their
requested amount of funding, but a few would be awarded less. Even so, the project would exceed the
Approved by PAC – 11/12/14
original $5,000 budget. Frank generously offered to provide additional funding to allow all of the murals
to be installed. Megan will notify all of the artists who submitted proposals and confirm that the
selected artists are still interested. Final Common Council approval is scheduled for December 3rd.
Public Art in Collegetown
Sally, Sam, and others who are interested are meeting with Stephen Smith in Collegetown on Sunday,
Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. to discuss potential projects and funding.
Ithaca Festival
Caleb is joining the festival board. Danielle, the director, wants it to be known as an arts festival and is
seeking possibilities for collaborations. Perhaps multiple murals could be installed in multiple locations
throughout the city. They are also interested in helping fundraise for public art. Jessica noted that it
would be nice if the focus was not just on murals, even though PAC has been very successful with
murals.
Approval of Additional Walls
Caleb attended the Parks Commission meeting to bring up the idea of having walls approved for murals
by the BPW. He presented a package that included walls in parks, natural areas, and other city‐owned
properties. The Parks Commission will continue the discussion at an upcoming meeting. Once a list is
ready, it can be presented to the BPW for approval.
Art in the Parks
Jessica suggested on selecting a park and focusing on it through art of all types during the year. PAC
could work with the Parks Commission to focus on a park. We could also work with student groups on
design and ideas. Megan will bring up the idea with the Parks Commission.
Upcoming Meetings
Due to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, the November PAC meeting will be held on November
12th at 4 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Conference Room and the December PAC meeting will be held on
December 10th at 4 p.m. in the 3rd Floor Conference Room.