Two versions of a public arts policy for Yellow Springs

Local artists Beth Holyoke and Migiwa Orimo on a tiled bench Holyoke created with Kaethi Seidl in 2009 as a piece of public art along the bike path.

By Lauren Heaton
Published: December 7, 2012

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Village Council returned to the discussion on drafting a policy for art in public spaces at Council’s regular meeting Monday, Dec. 3. The local Public Spaces Resource Group came up with a very different proposal than the one the Village had in mind. The two versions can be compared below. Council plans to go forward using the Village’s draft to reach a final proposal early in the new year.

Public Spaces Resource Group arts policy proposal:

ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ART COMMISSION TO ADVISE COUNCIL

Village Council will appoint a standing ArtsCommission (2- & 3-year terms) toadvise regarding the feasibility of any proposed placement of art in a public space (i.e. indoor and outdoor projects). The members of the Arts Commission will be artists and public art professionals representing a wide constituency so that their diverse arts expertise (in such public art fields as education, administration, curatorship and project management) and perspectives contribute to achieving Villagers’ goals related to public art while supporting artists’ visions. Expertise in other areas such as architecture, public land management, construction, landscaping and engineering can be provided by members of or advisors to the Commission.

The Arts Commission will consist of seven to nine members, including three individuals from the visual and performing arts community along with four to six representatives from stakeholder groups such as Village Government, Yellow Springs Chamber of Commerce, Yellow Springs Arts Council, Antioch College, Antioch University Midwest and Yellow Springs Schools. A quorum will be constituted by a majority of appointees to facilitate commission business.

The primary responsibilities of the Arts Commission will be to (1) provide support to individuals and groups proposing public art projects to Village Council, (2) make recommendations to Village Council regarding public art project proposals or concerns, and (3) support ongoing arts policy development as required.

II. TYPES OF ART AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

(THIS SECTION SHOULD BE FURTHER DEVELOPED IN TERMS OF ORGANIZATION & ARTICULATION BUT THE PRINCIPLES SEEM SOUND; A SUGGESTED PROCESS FOR THE LAST 2 TYPES OF ART IS PROVIDED BELOW.)

re: Policy and Proposals on p 6 & 7 Public Arts Projects Submission and Review Process

• Project Manager submits proposal to Village Manager’s Office who then forwards it to Arts Commission.

• Arts Commission contacts Project Manager toward reviewing and aiding proposal development where needed.

• Project Manager submits Proposal to Village Council Clerk with request for place on Council agenda.

• Arts Commission recommendation submitted to Village Council Clerk by Friday prior to public meeting.

• Project Manager and Arts Commission representative appear before Village Council to answer questions.

• Village Council votes on Proposal; may offer Conditional Approval with request for additional information to be presented at future Council meeting prior to final determination.

Village public art policy proposal: Public spaces – Types of art and guiding principles, policies and procedures

(ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ART COMMISSION TO ADVISE COUNCIL – Council may
establish an Art Commission, on a standing or ad hoc basis, to advise Council regarding the merits of any proposed art exhibit or installation.)

TYPE OF ART: PERFORMANCE – TRANSIENT

EXAMPLES: Spontaneous art – Busking, other performances of short duration, usually out-of-doors in public rights-of-way, public parks, Bryan Center lawn

PRINCIPLES: Public safety only, generally no use issues (e.g., conflicts with other uses). Rights-of-way need to be passable.

POLICY: No governmental involvement absent complaint of law violation.

PROPOSAL TO COUNCIL: No. Usually spontaneous.

PERMIT(1): No

AGREEMENT(2): No.

TYPE OF ART: PERFORMANCE – PUBLIC – LONGER DURATION OR EVENT EXAMPLES: Planned performance, usually longer than two hours in duration from set up to take down, usually planned in advance as an event. Cyclops festival, concerts on the Bryan Ctr lawn.

PRINCIPLES: For events where the public is invited, issues arise – excluding an area from use by others (coordination), safety issues, area to be used, parking, clean-up, use of personnel, streets issues, other logistical issues need to be managed.

POLICY: Follow use policy for Bryan Center, Park or other site specific policy. Village staff approvals/notifications needed. Fees may be charged per policy.

PROPOSAL: Only an event permit.

PERMIT: Yes.

AGREEMENT3: No.

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(1) ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ART COMMISSION TO ADVISE COUNCIL – Council may
establish an Art Commission, on a standing or ad hoc basis, to advise Council
regarding the merits of any proposed art exhibit or installation.

(2) Event permit. This is a form that is available in the Village Manager’s office and on the website. It is used for many types of events (runs, walks, music, art shows, etc.) that close rights-of-way or exclusively use village grounds. 2 An agreement with the Village would cover issues such as ownership of the art, security, insurance, installation issues, length of time, transfer or disposal of art at end of installation, maintenance, mutual rights and responsibilities.

TYPE OF ART: VISUAL ART INSTALLATION IN A PUBLIC HALLWAY

EXAMPLES: YSHS Art Show in hallway on Second Floor of the Bryan Center

PRINCIPLES: This is a limited public forum. Other uses in this space include employee ingress and egress, Village Manager’s Office, Mayor’s court, Council business, public restrooms. Area is open to the public, public attending meetings and classes in other rooms, including unaccompanied youth. Village must own the art, lease the art, or approve an installation. Coordination needed.

POLICY: TBD.

PROPOSAL: A two-step proposal process. First, a conceptual proposal will
be brought to the floor of Council for public discussion. If
Council approves of a conceptual proposal, then Council will
task the Village Manager and the promoter of the art to bring a
detailed proposal back to Council for approval. The proposal
should include an agreement to be signed by the parties
PERMIT: No, not an event.

AGREEMENT: Yes.

TYPE OF ART: INSTALLATIONS REQUIRING CEMENT BASES OR OTHER FOUNDATION LOCATED IN PUBLIC ROW OR ON PUBLIC LAND

EXAMPLES: Sculpture, artistic sign or other type of installed art. Flock of Hands, Springs sign

PRINCIPLES: This type of art is “high impact” on public property, taking space for a longer period of time, excluding it from use by others. Utilities and right-of-way issues could be involved. Higher impact on Village staff (maintenance, mowing). Cost issues likely to be higher. The art will be owned or leased by the Village. The artist or owner of the art will need to donate the art or donate its use (lease). This type of installation should be time-limited (1+ years, longer term) in order to allow future citizens the opportunity to use the space. Coordination and approval of sites by the Council after review and recommendation by the Village Manager is required. Maintenance must be endowed. If the Village owns the art, the art may be sold after the exhibit and proceeds used to fund other public art projects or arts non-profit groups.

POLICY: TBD by Council.

PERMIT: No, not an event.

AGREEMENT: Yes.

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5 An agreement with the Village would cover issues such as ownership of the art, security, insurance, installation issues, length of time, transfer or disposal of art at end of installation, maintenance, mutual rights and responsibilities.

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