AGENDA #4f

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Resolution Amending the Duties of the Public Arts Commission

 

DATE:             April 14, 2003

 

 

The attached resolution would amend the November 9, 1998 resolution regarding the establishment of the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission to include duties for administration of the Percent for Public Art Program and language that will enable the Public Arts Commission to qualify for several grant programs that have the potential to increase funding for local programs.  

 

BACKGROUND

 

On February 10, 1992, the Town Council adopted a resolution establishing a Chapel Hill Endowment for Public Art (see Attachment 2).

 

On November 9, 1998, the Town Council adopted a resolution establishing the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission through an endowment fund and other private sources of funding (see Attachment 1).

 

On October 12, 2001, the Co-chair of the Public Arts Commission proposed to the Council a program that would establish a process in which the Town Council would decide annually on allocating funds for public art (see Attachment 3).

 

On March 4, 2002, the Town Council adopted an ordinance establishing a Percent for Art Program for Town-funded capital improvement projects. The Council also adopted a resolution defining a Percent for Public Art Program and the general policies of the program (see Attachment 4).

 

The Public Arts Commission has developed a resolution that would revise the duties of the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission to include administration of the Percent for Art Program and to better reflect the mission of the Commission.


 

DISCUSSION

 

The proposed resolution would:

 

 

 

 

We understand that the amended statement of duties may enable the Public Arts Commission to qualify for several grant programs, including those of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the North Carolina Arts Council, and the Orange County Art Commission.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

Public Arts Commission Recommendation:  That the Town Council adopt the attached resolution amending the statement of duties of the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission by the inclusion of administration of the Percent-for-Public-Art Program and language that will enable the Public Arts Commission to qualify for several grant programs that have the potential to increase funding for local programs.  

 

  Manager’s Recommendation:  That the Town Council adopt the attached resolution.

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

 

1.       November 9, 1998 resolution establishing the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission (p. 5).

2.       February 10, 1992 resolution establishing a Chapel Hill Endowment for Public Art (p. 6).

3.       October 12, 2001 Public Arts Commission proposal to the Council (p. 7).

4.       March 4, 2002 ordinance and resolution establishing and defining a percent for public art program (p. 20).

 

A RESOLUTION REGARDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHAPEL HILL PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION THROUGH AN ENDOWMENT FUND AND OTHER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SOURCES OF FUNDING (2003-04-14/R-6)

 

WHEREAS, the public display of art can enrich the life of our community as a place where human expression through the arts is cherished and promoted; and

 

WHEREAS, public art can increase public access to the arts; and

 

WHEREAS, public art can promote the value of arts, artists, and creativity; and

 

WHEREAS, public art can encourage community development and civic dialogue; and

 

WHEREAS, Orange County, Chapel Hill and Carrboro have a well established community of artists working in media such as painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography and weaving; and

 

WHEREAS, it is appropriate to support the public display of art with gifts, and grants, private and public funding whenever possible rather than with Town property tax revenues and sales taxes;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council establishes a Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission for Public Art based on the following principles:

 

1.                  The Endowment shall be funded primarily from gifts and grants. The Council will appoint a Public Arts Commission (hereafter known as “The Commission”) with up to eighteen individuals with special knowledge, interest or expertise in the arts that reflects the diversity of the community. 

 

2.                  The interest earnings and a limited amount of the principal of the Endowment shall be used to enhance Town buildings, and areas such as public parks and plazas, through the display and occasional purchase of works of art by local artists. The Commission shall be responsible for:

 

1.      Advising the Council on art-related matters.

 

2.      Working with the Town Staff to administer the Percent for Public Art Program (2002-03-04/O-1).

 

3.      Increasing public access to the arts through programming initiatives.

 

4.      Promoting understanding and awareness of public art.

 

3.                  The Council will appoint a Public Arts Commission (hereafter known as “The Commission”) with up to eighteen individuals with special knowledge, interest or expertise in the arts.  The Commission shall be responsible for making recommendations to the Council on using Endowment funds and other monies from private gifts and any other fundraising activities for displays and occasional purchases, fundraising and handling operational matters such as scheduling, publicity and other matters associated with the public display of works of art. The Endowment shall be funded primarily from gifts and grants. The interest earnings of the Endowment shall be used to enhance Town buildings and public spaces through the display and occasional purchase of works of art.

 

This the 9th 14th day of November April , 1998 2003.