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Quizzing coordinator of Urbana's award-winning art program
This past Friday, the city of Urbana received an honorable mention as part of the 2008 Arts Friendly Community Awards, handed out by the Illinois Arts Alliance and the Illinois Municipal League.
Urbana and Danville were among 15 communities to receive an honorable mention.
According to a news release, one reason for the nod to Urbana was its Gallery District Incentive program, established two years ago.
In Urbana, though, there has been a greater focus on the arts in general, and public art in particular, in recent years. We thought this was a good time to ask questions of Anna Hochhalter, public arts coordinator for the city of Urbana. Our questions (in bold type) and her answers, submitted via e-mail, follow:
What does the city of Urbana consider public art?
The arts, as used in the program, include but are not limited to music, theater, visual arts, dance, creative writing, film/video, crafts, performing arts, spoken word, environmental arts, multimedia arts, architectural arts, landscape architecture and emerging media. Also, the public arts are recognized as art and culture in places accessible to the public.
Urbana public arts coordinator Anna Hochhalter, shown in the Community Development Office at Urbana City Hall, says public art planned for the city would be outdoors, but sculptures are just one option. By Vanda Bidwell
How much money has the city council budgeted in the past year for its public arts program?
The fiscal year 2008-09 budget includes $184,670 total for the Gallery District Incentive Program, postage/printing, Philo Road public art, Art in the Park project, Urbana Business Association arts promotion, and personnel costs. This figure anticipates that $50,000 will be raised through private donations or grants, so $134,670 is the total allocated from city funds.
What are the city's plans for public art for the Philo Road corridor?
The Philo Road Beautification Plan identifies three locations for the installation of public art along the corridor. These locations are on both public and private property, so the city is beginning the conversations with private landowners to discuss options for public art.
Would this art be outdoor sculptures?
The public art would be outdoors. Sculptures are one option among many. Other options could include an approach with art integrated into the infrastructure, i.e, artistic benches or sidewalk pavers.
Does the city set aside a part of each building budget for public art, as the federal and state governments do with their Art in Architecture programs?
In April, the city established a Percent for Arts on Municipal Building Projects program which uses a model common throughout the United States to assist in incorporating the arts into the physical infrastructure. The program requires 1 percent of the construction costs for municipal building projects with budgets of $750,000 or greater to be dedicated for the arts to be incorporated into or adjacent to the building. This program applies only to city of Urbana construction projects, and no projects have yet utilized this program.
Explain the Gallery District Incentive Program. How many businesses have taken advantage of it since it was established in September 2006?
The Gallery District Incentive Program provides a 12-month rent subsidy, for up to half of the rent, or up to a maximum of $500 a month, to qualified businesses locating within a certain area of downtown Urbana. Through the program, the businesses also may ask for a $1,000 start-up grant to be used for costs associated with relocation, advertising and building improvements.
The program has been used by four entities so far: Heartland Gallery, 14 Brushes (now defunct), the Furniture Lounge Gallery and Calico Jewelry, which is inside Lincoln Square Village.
The program requires that the businesses, which must be art-related or be art galleries, have at least a two-year lease and that they provide a business plan for the first two years, and proof of the ability to pay the rent after the first year. The city has not built in any consequences for entities that leave before the two years are up, but is considering doing so.
What are the major misconceptions that people have about public art in general?
Many people see public art as the lone sculpture placed in front of a building. While this is a type of public art, the field is far broader. Public art can be participatory and deeply rooted in the values and work of a community. Public art can transform space, illuminate social issues and provide an avenue to connect with others or the environment. Public art can be small, large, temporary, challenging and beautiful. Public art projects can be an opportunity for creative thought, critical analysis and technical skill development.
Did Urbana model its program on any other city public arts programs or create its own?
With more than 350 municipal arts programs in the country, there were many models to examine. No two cities are alike in their art programs. In November 2006, the Urbana City Council established a Public Arts Task Force to evaluate the feasibility of creating a permanent public arts program for Urbana. The Task Force of 15 local artists, administrators and teachers worked with city staff to conduct research on public arts programs throughout the country, conduct an extensive public input process and prepare a recommendation for the structure of a public arts program for the city council. This recommendation was used as a framework for the establishment of a Public Arts Commission and Public Arts Program formalized by the council. Urbana's program is unique to Urbana and includes the insight of many other cities.
How will public art projects and the artists for them be selected?
Temporary subcommittees would be appointed by the commission. Its members would be professionals in the public-art project field. The committee also would represent relevant stakeholders, such as the neighborhood in which a piece of public art would be installed or a business if a piece were to go in front of it.
Why does the city of Urbana need a public arts program?
As stated in the ordinance establishing a Public Arts Commission, art, in all of its many forms, is essential to the vitality of our city, bolstering quality of life, economic development, public safety, academic performance and social tolerance.
What do you see in the future regarding Urbana's public arts program?
The Public Arts Commission met on Wednesday in the city council chambers to begin planning for a long-term future of providing support and programming in the arts. While formalizing policies and programming, the commission and staff will coordinate short-term projects. Projects currently under development include a City Hall Exhibition Space and a downtown Newspaper Rack Project. Additional programs will address community accessibility to the arts, artist accessibility to resources, and opportunities for collaborations and partnerships.
Who are the commission members, how were they appointed and how long are their terms?
The Public Arts Commission has eight volunteer members representing various segments of the community and have experience, expertise, and/or interest in the areas of the arts, arts education, planning, neighborhood organizing, event planning, business or related fields. The mayor reviews applications submitted by interested citizens and appoints members, upon approval of the city council. Citizens interested in serving may apply via the mayor's Web page at www.city.urbana.il.us.
Below is a list of the members and their length of terms. Chair, Robin Hall, and members Barbara Hedlund, Katherine Lamb and Michelle Plante, all with terms expiring in 2010; and Geoffrey W. Bant, Robert Lewis, Sarah Ross and Patricia Samman, all with terms expiring in 2009.
