How Art Builds a Community

1. How Art Builds a Community Lessons from the Fort Collins Art in Public Places Program Ellen Martin, City of Fort Collins Shelby Sommer, Clarion Associates

2. Agenda • Fort Collins Art in Public Places (APP) Program Background • Benefits of Public Art • Administering an APP Program • Unique Projects and Partnerships • Linking Public Art and Planning Anne Aspen

3. Background

4. Art in Public Places (APP) • Established in April, 1995 • Ordinance in City Code • Purpose: • Encourage and enhance artistic expression and art appreciation while adding value to the Fort Collins community through acquiring, exhibiting and maintaining public art East Prospect Rd. May & Watkins Design

5. APP Program • Infusing Art into Capital Projects • Over $250,000 – designate 1% for art East Prospect Rd., May & Watkins Design CSU Transit Center, David Griggs

6. APP Program • Infusing Art into Capital Projects • Under $250,000 but more than $50,000 - artist added to the project team, showing a commitment to the APP purpose Viewing Structure at Cathy Fromme Prairie Carolyn Braaksma

7. APP Program • Infusing Art into Capital Projects • Under $50,000 – artist may be added to the team at the department’s discretion Gardens on Spring Creek, stone by Andy Dufford

8. APP Program • Other Responsibilities • Review and recommend acceptance of art donations Northside Aztlan Community Center, Anne Bossert

9. APP Program • Since Inception: • More than 93 Projects • 130 Transformer Cabinet Murals Stewart Case Park, Jim Lynxwiler Transformer Cabinet Mural, Kirsten Savage

10. Awards • City of Fort Collins Urban Design Awards “Knowledge Shared” by Barbara Baer, Council Tree Library “Curtain” by Barbara Baer, Lincoln Center Lobby

11. Awards • 2011 Governor’s Arts Award • Recognized for collective efforts to enhance the community and economy through strategic use of the arts • Review panel specifically cited Fort Collins’ commitment to Public Art as one of the areas they were impressed by in determining the award winner The arts weave the fabric of a community together; building cultural bridges and showing us new ways of thinking and seeing. - Governor Hickenlooperpresenting the award to Fort Collins

12. Awards • “City Showcase” at the National League of Cities, Congress of Cities • Featured APP Transformer Cabinet Mural Project • Demonstrates how Fort Collins uses innovative/creative solutions

13. Benefits

14. Art in Public Places… Enhancesour Physical Environment Createsa Sense ofPlace and Distinctiveness Promotes Community Involvement Honors our Environmental Health Supports Social Wellbeing Contributesto an Attractive Community & StrongEconomic Value Fosters Civic Pride Acknowledgesour Cultural History Reduces Crime and Saves Money Provides Educational Opportunities

15. Enhances our Physical Environment • Creatively enhances the project • Illustrates a commitment to quality and creativity NorthsideAztlan Community Center, Carolyn Braaksma Police Facility, Andy Dufford

16. Provides Educational Opportunities • Stimulating environments for discovery and exploration • Opportunities to learn about the site, our history, and our community Watercycle Wall Interpretive Signage, Joe McGrane Police Facility, Andy Dufford

17. Reduces Crime and Saves Money • Busy murals decrease vandalism • Maintenance costs reduced After Before Keith Van Eron I personally believe any effort on our part that beautifies or mitigates [graffiti] activity is a positive approach. I, for one, am grateful for all [the Art in Public Places program’s] hard work, and the city’s commitment to making Fort Collins a world class place to live and work. - Nick Myers, Graffiti Abatement Coordinator Fort Collins Police Services

18. Supports Social Wellbeing • Provides unique and stimulating ways to communicate • Alerts the public to safety issues Mason Corridor Trail, Mario Echevarria Fossil Creek Trail, Mario Echevarria

19. Creates a Sense of Place and Distinctiveness • Uniquely Fort Collins • Architecture, parks, and public spaces unlike anywhere else • Adds artful enhancements Oak Street Plaza, Lawrence Argent College & Harmony, Robert Tully

20. Honors Environmental values • Illustrates conservation issues • Highlights natural resources Above: Red Fox Meadows Natural Area, Barb McKee Right: Watercycle Wall, Joe McGrane

21. Contributes to Strong Economic Health • Investment in economic future • Materials and services frequently kept local • Leverages project budget • Arts & culture industry – 2012 Creative Vitality Study • $75 million in annual economic activity • Supports 6,485 jobs “Creativity is the fundamental source of economic growth.” – Richard Florida in Rise of the Creative Class Transformer Cabinet Mural,Nanci Erskine City Park Pool, Joe McGrane

22. Embraced by the Business Community “The visual arts are a key component in the unique feel of Old Town Fort Collins.  The Art In Public Places energetic influence is an obvious and vital piece of that quality experience.” Scott P. Smith, President CooperSmith's Pub & Brewing “I believe that great communities require a significant dose of unexpected, pleasant surprises that require pedestrians to become engaged with their surroundings.  I see that happening at the Oak Street Park, in our beautiful alleys, at the pianos downtown, and during the festivals and performances that happen year round.  Art in Public Places plays a major role in cultivating an environment of creativity and fostering partnerships with public and private interests in our community that fill this need.” Steve Taylor, Hot Corner Concepts

23. Fosters Civic Pride • Esteems a community icon or theme • Anchors a community gathering place Veterans Plaza, Susan Raymond Pianos About Town, Terry McNerney

24. Acknowledges our Cultural History • Honors historical places, people, and practices • Builds public awareness • Stimulating sites for discovery and exploration Linden St Paver, Susan Dailey Soapstone Natural Area, Robert Tully

25. Promotes Community Involvement • Brings citizens together • Creates a sense of pride within the community Girl Scout Troop 2258 Mason Street Trail, Mario Miguel Echevarria Kids Paver, Sarah Bashford

26. Utilizes Sustainable Practices • Leverages projects’ functional components and budget, turning standard elements into art • Reusable elements, including concrete form liners that can be used at other locations • Leftover paint is used on multiple projects Soapstone Prairie, Robert Tully Red Fox Meadows, Barb McKee

27. …is everywhere Parks Gardens City Facilities Alleyways & Plazas Streetscapes Natural Areas Utility Sites Recreation Facilities Trails Transportation Centers

28. Program Administration

29. Administration:Collaborative Process

30. Administration: Selecting an Artist • Pre-Approved List • Artists are juried • The budget is small • Project has a fast time line (limited time to promote a call) • Team would like to work with a local artist to integrate into design meetings • Request for Qualifications (RFQ) • Larger budgets • Promote a call to artists on a national level • Make it available to all artists

31. Administration: Designing Artwork • Add APP Artist to the Design Team • Creates site-specific, integrated projects • Builds support from an interdisciplinary team • Leverages budget • Creates unique projects

32. Administration: Reviewing and Approving Artwork • City Staff • APP Coordinator (full time) • Administers program logistics and budget • Staff liaison to APP Board • Supported by part-time cultural resources staff and interns Installation of the Water Quality Boxes, Andy Dufford with staff

33. Administration: Reviewing and Approving Artwork • Art in Public Places Board • Appointed by City Council • Advises and makes recommendations to City Council about: • Incorporating art into capital projects • Art donations • Program administration • City Council • Reviews APP Board recommendations • Approves expenditures in excess of $10,000

34. Administration: Budgeting • APP Five Year Budget 2006 – 2010 • Yearly Average Revenue: $423,484 • Yearly Average Expenditure: $296,950 • Average Project Cost: $43,669 • Median Project Cost: $11,000

35. Administration: Program Challenges • Staffing • Individual preferences • Budgeting/funding • City Council review • Maintenance for a growing collection Sculpture by CollenNyanhongo A gift from The Neenan Family

36. Unique Projects and Partnerships

37. APP Partnerships • Fort Collins Community • Downtown Development Authority • Bohemian Foundation • Poudre River Library District • Team Fort Collins • Poudre School District • Colorado State University • Veterans’ Plaza Committee NorthsideAztlan Community Center Skate Park , Amanda Marie Ploegsma

38. Innovative Projects • Downtown Art in Action • Rafael Lopez Community Mural Project • Pianos About Town • Transformer Cabinet Murals Pianos About Town Transformer Cabinet

39. Transformer Cabinet Murals • Estimated savings of $22,895 per year in graffiti abatement for 30 cabinets • APP has completed 130 cabinets • Murals are painted by local artists and non-profit groups • Very few painted cabinets have been tagged in 6 years Rolfe Bautista Terry McNerney

40. Art in Action • Funded by Downtown • Development Authority Lisa Cameron Jim Lynxwiler

41. Rafael Lopez Community Mural Project • Funded by Poudre River Library District

42. Pianos About Town • Funded by the Bohemian Foundation and Downtown Development Authority Mary Harnett Alison Dickson Rolfe Bautista

43. Linking Public Art and Planning

44. Other Public Art Programs • Comparable Cities with Public Art programs: • Ann Arbor, Michigan • Bellvue, Washington • Boise, Idaho • Cary, North Carolina • Eugene, Oregon • Plano, Texas • Rockville, MD • Scottsdale, AZ • Larger Communities identified by Art: • New York City, New York • Seattle, Washington • Santa Fe, New Mexico • Portland, Oregon • Regional 1% for Art Programs: • Aurora • Broomfield • Denver • DIA • Englewood • Fort Collins • Greeley • Longmont • Loveland • State of Colorado • More than 30 Colorado communities have a public art program DOES YOURS?

45. APP and Community Planning • Plans and policies are a great way to address the role and importance of public art! • Comprehensive Plans • Transportation Plans • Subarea and Neighborhood Plans • Parks and Recreation Plans • Open Space Plans • Downtown Plans • Economic Development Strategies • Capital Improvement Plans • Historic Preservation Policies • Urban Design Strategies • Public Art Master Plans

46. Role of Planners • What can a planner do? • Introduce or build awareness of the concept • Support or lead a public art program • Involve local artists and organizations • Join a local board or commission • Participate as an artist

47. APP resources • Colorado Creative Industries (part of State Office of Economic Development)www.coloarts.state.co.us • Western States Arts Federation (service & advocacy)www.westaf.org • Americans for the Arts (programs, advocacy & PAN)www.artsusa.org • American Planning Association (research & articles)www.planning.org (search “public art”) • CaFE – Call For Entry (manage calls for entry)www.callforentry.org

48. Questions?

49. For More information:www.fcgov.com/artspublic Ellen Martin, City of Fort Collins emartin@fcgov.com Shelby Sommer, Clarion Associates ssommer@clarionassociates.com