IMPLEMENTATION

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PUBLIC ART PLAN

Implementation of Art Projects over Time

As the Bend in the Bow Redevelopment Plan proceeds with implementation, artists will be commissioned for various art opportunities as funds are identified to support each project. Art opportunities prioritized for early implementation are in the Wildlands, as sensitivities to habitat are not as great in this part of the site, as was reinforced through the engagement process. These projects include: Tank Traces, Separator Trench, Transformer Beacon, and Wildlife Hides.

Some of the functional artworks identified in the plan require that artists be hired early enough to work in collaboration with Project Partners (as defined for each project in the Art Opportunities section of this plan). Other projects can occur at a later date, even following completion of implementation of park improvements through the Redevelopment Plan.

Artists will coordinate and collaborate with Project Partners, as identifed for each particular opportunity, and others as determined through concept development. Parks and Public Art will be involved as primary Project Partners for all of the projects. To achieve the integrated, cross-disciplinary approach identified for many of the functional art opportunities identified in the Public Art Plan, it is recommended that the Public Art Program seek creative partnerships with the stakeholders named in this document, and others. Because implementation of Bend in the Bow will most likely occur in pieces and segments, it is important that other City departments, especially Water and Utilities, be well informed of the opportunities for artist and design team collaborations identified in the plan. The art plan should be distributed to stakeholders and Public Art should meet periodically with a core staff of Parks, Water, Culture and others to discuss their respective work and pursuits at and around the site to ensure the type of cross-pollination of ideas and opportunities that has characterized the planning process to date.

Artist Selection

Artist selection will follow the standard City of Calgary Public Art Program selection process, with artists hired on qualifications and a demonstrated understanding of the particular art opportunity. It may work well to consolidate several art projects into a single call to artists. This can help to attract a larger pool of artists, ensure that a variety of artist perspectives are included in the selections, streamline contracting and a process of orienting artists to the site, create a common timeline for art project development to consolidate engagement and design team collaboration, and foster an atmosphere where the various artists can share their concepts with the possibility that the individual projects are in dialogue with each other.

Public Art Process

The Public Art Program facilitates the commissioning and implementation of public art on behalf of The City of Calgary, working closely with the commissioned artist and The City Department and Business Units engaged in the capital project development. Guidelines and requirements for developing public art for Calgary are outlined in detail in documents including “Public Art Policy” and “Public Art Materials and Design Guidelines.”

The process for implementing a public art project include the following steps:

Project Initiation and Planning: Working with partners and stakeholders, Public Art

Program defines scope and budget of work, which receives endorsement by the Public Art

Board

Artist Selection: Public Art Program issues call to artists and manages process of evaluating applicants

Contract Process and Scope: development of Project Specific Outline by artist

Concept Design and Selection Process: artist conducts research, internal and external engagement processes, collaboration with design team, stakeholders, and subject matter experts as appropriate, and development of art concept; with presentation to and approval by selection panel Detailed Design and Approval: artist develops detailed design and engineering in collaboration with design team, stakeholders, and subject matter experts as appropriate; with approval by project team and technical representatives

Fabrication and Construction: artist may coordinate fabrication of work in coordination with project schedule; or work may occur within capital project managed by The city

Installation and Inspection: artwork is installed and inspected for acceptance by The City

Unveiling: community celebration in conjunction with unveiling of artwork

Project Completion: maintenance manual and warranty completed

Community Engagement: can occur at various steps within the public art implementation process.