PRIORITY #10: PUBLIC ART Invest in a Citywide Public Art Program
In Akron/Summit, we believe that public art provides meaning to our public spaces, reflects the history of a city, adds uniqueness to neighborhoods, and humanizes our environment.
As an intersection between our past, present, and future, public art has the power to transform our city and reflect back on its transformation.
We must develop an equitable program that will prioritize public art within the City of Akron and Summit County while increasing civic participation and creating a deeper sense of place.
Together, we have work to do.
Throughout the priorities, you’ll see each labeled with next steps including, “Implement (I),” “Explore (E),” “Expand (X),” and “Promote (P).”
(Banner photo: Street art mural on the outside wall of Angel Falls Coffee Company; Photography by Shane Wynn from AkronStock.com)
10.1 City Policies & Plans
Public Art Policies: Adopt the following policies and guidelines to support the Public Art Program ordinance, as provided in the Appendix: (I)
Collection Management Policy;
Donation of Public Art Policy;
Policy and Procedure for Maintenance;
Mural Guidelines;
Developer Guidelines; and
Commission Communication Guide for Public Art Commissioners.
Akron/Summit Public Art Commission: Seat the Akron/Summit Public Art Commission using the Commission Responsibilities proposed policy provided in the Appendix. (I)
Public Art Inventory: Complete an inventory of all public art pieces in the Akron Public Art Collection. Details must include: (I)
Artist;
Current and projected maintenance needs;
Date installed (if known);
Materials used;
Specific location;
Type of public art.
Public Art Maintenance Plan: Develop a maintenance plan for the existing Akron Public Art Collection. Anticipating short- and long-term maintenance is a necessary focus for the City of Akron and County of Summit. The maintenance plan should address specific roles and responsibilities of the maintenance department and create a unique treatment of each piece. Tasks, deadlines, necessary tools, parts, inventory, frequency of maintenance, and costs should be recorded and integrated into the maintenance department’s general maintenance plan. (I)
Art in Transit: Integrate culture into transportation infrastructure through temporary and permanent installations of public art and oral histories. Increasing art in transit provides opportunity for cultural expression at a localized level, enhances cultural identity, and increases exposure to arts and culture. (I)
Partners for Commissioned Art: Purchase or commission art through collaborations between arts and non-arts partners throughout the city. (I)
Public Art on City Buildings: Assess opportunities for public art installations on City-owned facilities including: libraries, museums, University of Akron facilities, recreation centers, community centers, fire and police stations, athletic facilities, government administration buildings, parks, roads, bridges, and railway easements. (I)
Artist in Residence: Develop an Artist-in-Residence Program for the City of Akron and Summit County. Engaging an artist at the most basic level within city functions will encourage creativity and integration of public art from the beginning of capital projects and new private development. Artists should be hired on a 9-12 month contract. (I)
10.2 Public Art Funding
Funding for Public Art Programs: Explore funding opportunities for municipal public art programs. These include but are not limited to Capital Improvement Project Percent for Arts and TIF District Incentive Program. (I)
Public Art Program: Utilize Public Art Program funds to leverage and provide matching monies for grant opportunities from local, state, and national organizations. Target grants to strategic placemaking endeavors or programmatic actions such as: (I)
Programming that supports cultural diversity in the arts;
Programs for reaching underserved communities;
Projects that integrate arts and culture into community revitalization work such as economic development, education, housing, infrastructure, land use, public safety, and transportation;
Projects that utilize the arts to support the creative needs of non-arts sectors;
Projects that explore the intersection of artistic creativity and creativity in non-arts sectors;
Projects that use the arts and the creative process to address complex issues; and
Programming that celebrates the heritage or history of a specific place.
Adopt Funding Policy: Adopt a policy that requires regular funding of public art by the City of Akron. This could be a percent for art policy, TIF giveback program, or another comparable consistent funding mechanism. (I)
10.3 Community Collaborations
Education and Public Art Partnerships: Collaborate with Akron Public Schools and the University of Akron to create school programming that utilizes and features commissioned public artists. (I)
Innovative Exhibits: Collaborate with local, national, and international museums, galleries, and collections to do innovative exhibitions throughout Akron and Summit. (I)
Public Art with Non-Traditional Partnership: Create public art projects and programming with non-traditional partners. Potential collaborators include health care facilities, rehabilitation and senior centers, disability-focused organizations, and more. (I)