Title
Staff Presentation on the 2017-2018 Pilot Program, “Art in City Hall”
Body
To: Members of the Public Art Commission
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
Re: Staff Presentation on the 2017-2018 Pilot Program, “Art in City Hall”
BACKGROUND
For several years the Alameda Free Library was home to a public art exhibit, showcasing art by community and area artists in an effort to provide better access to educational, informational, and cultural resources to the community. The exhibit was well received but was a volunteer program; current staffing and volunteer levels could not sustain the program and it recently ended.
The City Manager’s office, in partnership with the Community Development Department, would like to bring a similar program to City Hall, with the mission of celebrating Alameda’s diverse history and community, increasing exhibit opportunities for professional and emerging Alameda artists and the greater arts community, and creating a memorable experience for the public.
Staff proposes that the City pilot the Art in City Hall program for one year, which will consist of two gallery spaces, one on the first floor and one on the third floor. The infrastructure needed to create a rails system would be purchased through the City Manager’s office. The system will build a rail along the wall of the designated spaces with cables attached for easy hanging of artwork.
The gallery space will be open to all professional and emerging artists and groups in Alameda. In the pilot year, each gallery will facilitate four shows, with a total of eight artists or artist groups showcased.
During the one-year pilot program, the City will publish a Call for Artists to fill the eight gallery dates. City staff will organize an orientation meeting that is open to the public, but mandatory for artists selected. Exhibiting artists will be selected by lottery.
Pilot program details, artwork requirements, an exhibit schedule, artist’s agreement, and application, which are discussed in more detail below, will be finalized following input from the Public Arts Commission (PAC) and ongoing staff research prior to the installation of a rails system, publication of a Call for Artists, and scheduling of an orientation meeting.
At the conclusion of the pilot year, the program will be evaluated to determine long-term viability, and to refine the selection process and other program details.
DISCUSSION
Draft program guidelines, including exhibit schedule, entry and selection processes for the Art in City Hall pilot program are described below.
Program details
• Art in City Hall will consist of two gallery spaces, one on the first floor and one on the third floor
• The infrastructure needed to create a rails system will be purchased through the City Manager’s office. The system will build a rail along the wall of the designated space with cables attached for easy hanging of artwork
• Space and weight limitations will be determined once the rails system is in place
• The gallery space will be open to all professional and emerging artists and groups in Alameda. Each gallery will facilitate four shows per year. A total of eight artists or artist groups can be showcased each year
• City staff will organize an annual orientation meeting for artists
• The City will publish an annual Call for Artists to fill the eight gallery dates
• While every reasonable precaution will be taken during the exhibition of artwork, the City of Alameda, its officials, officers, employees, commissions or volunteers do not assume responsibility for any loss or damage incurred in connection with the Art in City Hall display. Artists must agree to look to their own insurance for claims of loss or damage
Proposed exhibit schedule
• Exhibit installations will take place the second Friday of January, April, July, and October unless notified of a different date. Art can be installed between 9am and 2pm. No exceptions will be made
• Art pieces must be removed the second Thursday of January, April, July, and October unless notified of a different date. Art can be removed from 3pm to 6pm. No exceptions will be made
Artwork entry process
• Artists will need to complete an application/proposal to be considered for the program. There is no fee to apply
• Entries must be submitted along with a minimum of three JPG images of artwork that are the same or similar to what the artist plans to display
• The exhibition is non-juried. Exhibiting artists will be selected by lottery. This selection process will be evaluated after the pilot period concludes
• Artists must sign an artist’s agreement
Proposed artwork requirements and artist responsibilities
• Ready to hang: compatible with installed hanging system
• Artwork cannot have a price listed on it, but artist contact information can be provided at the permit center and made available on the City website
• City Hall is a location where people of all ages, ethnicities, and religious affiliations gather and conduct business. No nudity, profanity, violence, religious symbols, or advertisements will be permitted
• Artist is responsible for the transportation, installation, and removal of the artwork and must be available on the installation and removal dates
• Artwork should be available for the duration of the exhibit. If a piece is sold or removed by the artist for any reason, the artist will coordinate the installation of a replacement piece
• The Call for Artists will be published in a Press Release from the City of Alameda, and posted on social media and the City’s website. The City will also establish an email list of artists interested in the program and they will be kept updated about the Art in City Hall program
RECOMMENDATION
Provide Input on the 2017-2018 Pilot Program, “Art in City Hall”