Title
Recommendation to Approve the 2017-2018 Pilot Program, “Art in City Hall.” (City Manager 2110)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
Re: Recommendation to Approve 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 to provide 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 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 will be purchased through the City Manager’s office. The system will include a rail along the wall of the designated spaces with cables attached for easy hanging of artwork. Space and weight limitations will be determined once the rails system is in place and will be added to the guidelines.
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.
As part of 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.
• Artist application: <https://goo.gl/forms/Y1VqMwAOXOr8rk9j2>
• Art in City Hall guidelines and Artist Agreement are attached as exhibits
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
Exhibit schedule
• Exhibit installations will take place the second Friday of January, April, July, and October, unless notified of a different date. The opening of the Art in City Hall program will be Friday, January 12, 2018. Accordingly, new exhibits will go up on Friday, April 13, Friday, July 13, and Friday, October 12. 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. Accordingly, exhibits must come down on Thursday, April 12, Thursday, July 12, Thursday, October 11, and Thursday, January 10, 2019. Art can be removed from 3pm to 6pm. No exceptions will be made.
Artwork entry process
• Artists need to complete an application 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 random selection process will be evaluated after the pilot period concludes.
• Artists selected by lottery to exhibit at City Hall must sign an Artist’s Agreement.
Artwork requirements and artist responsibilities
• Art must be “ready to hang” and be compatible with the installed hanging system.
• Artwork cannot have a price listed on it, but artist contact information can be 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.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is a one-time cost for the installation of the rail system of approximately $5,000. There is no ongoing financial impact from the approval of the Art in City Hall pilot program other than staff time to manage the program.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action does not affect the Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is not a project and is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15378 and 15060.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the 2017-2018 Pilot Program, “Art in City Hall.”
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah Henry, Public Information Officer
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
EXHIBITS:
1. Art in City Hall guidelines
2. Artist Agreement