Lessons from the

Fort Collins Art in Public Places

Program

HOW ART BUILDS A COMMUNITY

Ellen Martin, City of Fort CollinsShelby Sommer, Clarion Associates

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

AGENDA

Anne Aspen

BACKGROUND

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

ART IN PUBLIC PLACES (APP)

East Prospect Rd.May & Watkins Design

Infusing Art into Capital Projects Over $250,000 – designate 1% for art

APP PROGRAM

CSU Transit Center, David GriggsEast Prospect Rd., May & Watkins Design

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

APP PROGRAM

Viewing Structure at Cathy Fromme PrairieCarolyn Braaksma

Infusing Art into Capital Projects Under $50,000 – artist may be added to the team at the

department’s discretion

APP PROGRAM

Gardens on Spring Creek, stone by Andy Dufford

Other Responsibilities Review and recommend

acceptance of art donations

APP PROGRAM

Northside Aztlan Community Center, Anne Bossert

Since Inception: More than 93 Projects 130 Transformer Cabinet Murals

APP PROGRAM

Transformer Cabinet Mural, Kirsten Savage Stewart Case Park, Jim Lynxwiler

City of Fort Collins Urban Design Awards

AWARDS

“Curtain” by Barbara Baer, Lincoln Center Lobby “Knowledge Shared” by Barbara Baer, Council Tree Library

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

AWARDS

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

“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

AWARDS

BENEFITS

ART IN PUBLIC PLACES…

Enhances our Physical Environment

Creates a Sense of Place and DistinctivenessPromotes Community Involvement

Honors our Environmental HealthSupports Social Wellbeing

Contributes to an Attractive Community & Strong Economic Value Fosters Civic Pride

Acknowledges our Cultural History

Provides Educational Opportunities

Reduces Crime and Saves Money

Creatively enhances the project

Illustrates a commitment to quality and creativity

ENHANCES OUR PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

Northside Aztlan Community Center, Carolyn Braaksma Police Facility, Andy Dufford

Stimulating environments for discovery and exploration

Opportunities to learn about the site, our history, and our community

PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Watercycle Wall Interpretive Signage, Joe McGrane Police Facility, Andy Dufford

Busy murals decrease vandalism

Maintenance costs reduced

REDUCES CRIME AND SAVES MONEY

Keith Van Eron

Before After

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 CoordinatorFort Collins Police Services

Provides unique and stimulating ways to communicate Alerts the public to safety issues

SUPPORTS SOCIAL WELLBEING

Fossil Creek Trail, Mario Echevarria Mason Corridor Trail, Mario Echevarria

Uniquely Fort Collins

Architecture, parks, and public spaces unlike anywhere else

Adds artful enhancements

CREATES A SENSE OF PLACE AND DISTINCTIVENESS

Oak Street Plaza, Lawrence Argent

College & Harmony, Robert Tully

Illustrates conservation issues Highlights natural resources

HONORS ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES

Above: Red Fox Meadows Natural Area, Barb McKee

Right: Watercycle Wall, Joe McGrane

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

“Creativ i ty i s the fundam enta l source of e conom ic gr ow th.”

– R ichard F lor ida in R ise of the Creative C las s

CONTRIBUTES TO STRONG ECONOMIC HEALTH

Tran

sfor

mer

Cab

inet

Mur

al,

Nan

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rski

ne

City Park Pool, Joe McGrane

“The visual arts are a key component in the unique feel of Old Town Fort Col l ins. The Art In Publ ic P laces energetic influence is an obvious and vital

piece of that qual i ty experience.”

Scott P. Smith, President CooperSmith's Pub & Brewing

“I bel ieve that great communities require a s ignificant dose of unexpected, pleasant surpr ises that require pedestr ians to become engaged with their

surroundings. I see that happening at the Oak Street Park, in our beautiful al leys, at the pianos downtown, and during the festivals and performances

that happen year round. Art in Publ ic Places plays a major role in cultivating an environment of creativity and foster ing partnerships with publ ic and pr ivate

interests in our community that fil l this need.”

Steve Taylor, Hot Corner Concepts

EMBRACED BY THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY

Esteems a community icon or theme

Anchors a community gathering place

FOSTERS CIVIC PRIDE

Pianos About Town, Terry McNerney

Veterans Plaza, Susan Raymond

Honors historical places, people, and practices

Builds public awareness Stimulating sites for discovery and exploration

ACKNOWLEDGES OUR CULTURAL HISTORY

Soapstone Natural Area, Robert Tully

Linden St Paver, Susan Dailey

Brings citizens together Creates a sense of pride

within the community

PROMOTES COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Girl Scout Troop 2258 Mason Street Trail, Mario Miguel Echevarria

Kids Paver, Sarah Bashford

Soapstone Prairie, Robert Tully

Red Fox Meadows, Barb McKee

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

…IS EVERYWHERE

City Facilities

Parks

Alleyways & Plazas

Recreation Facilities

Natural Areas

Gardens

Trails

StreetscapesUtility Sites

Transportation Centers

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

ADMINISTRATION:COLLABORATIVE PROCESS

Artist Selection

• APP board and project team select an artist not a specific work of art

• Selection occurs through a request for qualifications (RFQ) or using a pre-approved list of artists

Project Design

• Artist incorporated into design team early into ensure art concepts align with project goals

• Artist involved throughout the course of project

Review & Approval

• APP Board reviews final concepts after project team approval

• If over $10,000, the project requires Council approval

Request for Qualifications (RFQ) Larger budgets Promote a call to artists on

a national level Make it available to all

artists

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

ADMINISTRATION: SELECTING AN ARTIST

Add APP Artist to the Design Team Creates site-specific,

integrated projects Builds support from an

interdisciplinary team Leverages budget Creates unique projects

ADMINISTRATION: DESIGNING ARTWORK

Design Contract

Artist Included on Design Team

Concept Development (Artist & Design Team)

Project Team Approves Concept

Project Approved by APP Board and City

Council

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

ADMINISTRATION: REVIEWING AND APPROVING ARTWORK

Installation of the Water Quality Boxes,Andy Dufford with staff

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

ADMINISTRATION: REVIEWING AND APPROVING ARTWORK

City Council Reviews APP Board

recommendations Approves expenditures in

excess of $10,000

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

ADMINISTRATION: BUDGETING

Staffing Individual preferencesBudgeting/fundingCity Council reviewMaintenance for a growing

collection

ADMINISTRATION: PROGRAM CHALLENGES

Sculpture by Collen Nyanhongo A gift from The Neenan Family

UNIQUE PROJECTS AND 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

APP PARTNERSHIPS

Northside Aztlan Community Center Skate Park , Amanda Marie Ploegsma

Downtown Art in Action Rafael Lopez Community Mural Project Pianos About Town Transformer Cabinet Murals

INNOVATIVE PROJECTS

Pianos About TownTransformer Cabinet

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

TRANSFORMER CABINET MURALS

Rolfe Bautista

Terry McNerney

ART IN ACTION

Jim Lynxwiler

Lisa Cameron

Funded by Downtown Development Authority

Funded by Poudre River Library District

RAFAEL LOPEZ COMMUNITY MURAL PROJECT

Funded by the Bohemian Foundation and Downtown Development Authority

PIANOS ABOUT TOWN

Mary Harnett

Rolfe Bautista

Alison Dickson

LINKING PUBLIC ART AND PLANNING

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?

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

OTHER PUBLIC ART PROGRAMS

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

APP AND COMMUNITY PLANNING

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

commissionParticipate as an artist

ROLE OF PLANNERS

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

APP RESOURCES

QUESTIONS?

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

WWW.FCGOV.COM/ARTSPUBLIC

Ellen Martin, City of Fort Collins emartin@fcgov.com

Shelby Sommer, Clarion Associatesssommer@clarionassociates.com