Title
Review of Art in City Hall Pilot Program. The Public Art Commission will hold a public meeting to review and consider changes to the Art in City Hall Pilot Program. Consideration of this program is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act.
Body
CITY OF ALAMEDA
Memorandum
To: Honorable Chair and
Members of the Public Art Commission
From: Lois Butler
Economic Development Manager
Date: August 16, 2018
RE: Review of Art in City Hall Pilot Program. The Public Art Commission will hold a public meeting to review and consider changes to the Art in City Hall Pilot Program. Consideration of this program is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act.
BACKGROUND
In 2018, the City of Alameda initiated the Art in City Hall Pilot Program, which provides exhibit opportunities for professional and emerging Alameda artists and arts organizations. The goals of this program are to support the local arts community, create a memorable experience for the public, and celebrate Alameda’s diverse history and community. The program is open to all artists living in Alameda, or arts organizations based in Alameda.
As part of the pilot program, eight artists or arts organizations were selected at random to display their artwork in one of two gallery spaces: one on the first floor and one on the third floor of City Hall. Each gallery space holds four exhibits per year, for a total of eight exhibits in the 2018 pilot year:
Previous Exhibits
January 12-April 12, 2018
1st Floor Featured Artist: Michael Sibio
3rd Floor Featured Artist: Wendy Rabin
April 13-July 12, 2018
1st Floor Featured Artist: Patti Heimburger
3rd Floor Featured Artist: Mtaani Foundation
Current and Upcoming Exhibits
July 13-October 11, 2018
1st Floor Featured Artist: Alameda on Camera @ the Frank Bette Center for the Arts
3rd Floor Featured Artist: Jennifer Daily
October 12, 2018 -January 10, 2019
1st Floor Featured Artist: Federica Colla
3rd Floor Featured Artist: Ani Dimusheva
The 2018 pilot of Art in City Hall has been well received and is meeting its stated goals. Before the first exhibit, the City of Alameda installed a rail system for the easy hanging of artwork. With the changes proposed, the City will continue to be able to provide this program with minimal staff involvement. At tonight’s meeting, the Public Art Commission (PAC) is asked to review proposed changes to the Art in City Hall program, and provide input on the 2019 program guidelines (Exhibit 1).
DISCUSSION
The 2019 Art in City Hall program guidelines reflect the following proposed changes:
• Reserve one gallery space per display period for arts organizations. Local arts organizations have expressed concern to staff and the PAC about a lack of art exhibition space in Alameda, and requested that a portion of the Art in City Hall program be reserved for arts organizations. As a result, staff is proposing that, for the 2019 Art in City Hall program, one gallery space per display period be reserved for arts organizations, to be chosen at random via public lottery. If there are not sufficient arts organizations to fill the available exhibits, any unfilled opportunities will go to individual artists. Individual artists will continue to be chosen at random via public lottery. This policy can be reviewed prior to the 2020 program year.
• Display exhibit name, artist’s statement and artist contact information during exhibit. Current and previous exhibitors in the Art in City Hall program provided feedback that the exhibit name, artist’s statement and, if desired, artist contact information should be displayed as part of the exhibit. The guidelines were updated to reflect this request. Exhibiting artists and arts organizations will be responsible for providing this information.
• Update exhibit schedule and gallery display capacity. The exhibit schedule was updated for the 2019 calendar year, and each gallery’s capacity to display artwork was expanded to reflect additional hardware acquired during the 2018 program year.
The PAC is asked to review proposed changes to the Art in City Hall program, and provide input on the 2019 program guidelines.
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
Review proposed changes to the Art in City Hall program, and provide input on the 2019 program guidelines.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amanda Gehrke
Management Analyst
Exhibit:
1. 2019 Art in City Hall Program Guidelines