LY N D O N Vol 6 #1
H O U S E
A R T S
C E N T E R
N E W S L E T T E R
A FACILITY OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY LEISURE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
The Athens-Clarke County Public Art Task Force Creation, Mission and Recommendations By Laura C. Nehf
Background Athens, Georgia is a vibrant community with a rich arts and cultural heritage. Talented artists and sculptors have long contributed to a community palette that bears witness to our cultural values, our desire to enhance our recreational experiences, and our tolerance for all things creative and fun. Art festivals, exhibits, galleries, and community arts workshops have been part of Athens and have consistently been a growing part of the Athens cultural scene. However, like many cultural experiences, the arts presence in Athens was for many years considered a benefit that the community enjoyed at its leisure. And while European and other countries have for years Photo: Shannon Williams consistently capitalized on their cultural offerings, cities in the United States have only recently begun considering the arts as an industry capable of attracting tourists and business investment. This development has come primarily from successful arts investments made by cities, both large and small, that have resulted in an economic payoff. The lessons of cultural expansion have quickly spread and have now caught the attention of our city leaders.
Autumn/Winter 2010
In 2007 Americans for the Arts released a nationwide study showing the economic impact of nonprofit cultural institutions. As we reviewed the success of the arts in a variety of cities such as Seattle, Portland, New York, Austin, and Chapel Hill, it was apparent that in each there was an organized, intentional effort to both promote the arts and acquire art as part of its cultural offerings. Most did so through a Percent for Art program that required capitol improvement projects to set aside a certain small percentage (1-2%) of the improvement budget for art installations, whether as part of the building/improvement or separate art acquisition.
ArtiFacts Staff
In Georgia, cities including Atlanta, Savannah, Columbus, Macon, Sewanee and Colquitt have begun programs to acquire art for their city infrastructures. Though the programs vary, all are seeking to enhance the visual surroundings of the community and create a visible cultural overlay to the city.
Celia Brooks
Editor Penelope Overcash Graphic Designer Van Burns Writers Claire Benson
Madeline Darnell Joan M. Howard Nancy Lukasiewicz Laura C. Nehf Penelope Overcash Caroline Self Dale Wechsler Photography Denise Sain Burns Van Burns Shannon Williams
Creation In July of 2008, Athens Area Arts Council delivered a presentation to the Mayor and Commission regarding the nationwide growth of public art programs and the potential for economic growth in the cities that have implemented them. A formal written request followed asking the Mayor and Commission to appoint a task force to explore such a program for Athens. In February 2010, after several years of positive public reaction to various organizations’ public art installations (continued on page 10)
Members of the Public Art Task Force (L-R): Front Row - Devereux Burch, Brittany McGrue, Laura Nehf, Barbara Bloomfisher, Joan Curtis; Back Row - Stuart Miller, Marilyn Wolf-Ragatz (Chair), Mario Cambardella, Holly Alderman; Not Pictured Alex Sams, Matt Forshee, Gary Grossman, Meng Kok Tan, John Ahee, Chris Wyrick