SECA COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Discuss Community Arts
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DEPARTMENT: Community Services
SUBMITTED BY: Jake Fiedler, Special Events Coordinator
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
Staff is returning with Section Three - Community Arts in the SECA Policy and Procedures Manual for Applicants. Section Three is the last piece to be discussed.
DISCUSSION:
A. Section Three - Community Arts
In 2022, the City Council approved the City of Naperville Public Arts Program (“Program”) and designated the responsibility for program administration to the SECA Commission and Special Events Coordinator and/or Community Services Department staff. The City will administer the Program consistent with applicable City policies, agreements, budgets, and approval requirements.
The City of Naperville is committed to contributing to the intellectual, emotional and creative life of the community by facilitating engaging art experiences and dynamic public spaces.
Public art, in all its forms, helps the City of Naperville stand apart from other communities and having a plan and policy for the arts will not only ensure visitors keep coming back, but will also brighten the lives of residents. The Community Arts and Public Art Program establishes a framework for supporting a diversity of art, performances, and other art experiences that bring people together, inspire, beautify, and enhance Naperville's public spaces.
The Program supports the creation, presentation, placement, stewardship, and community engagement associated with arts projects while recognizing that different types of arts projects require different considerations. Physical public art may require long-term maintenance and conservation; performances are time-based artistic presentations; and other art experiences may engage the public through participation, observation, interaction, or learning.
B. Public Arts Program - Goals
• Enhance the character, identity, and beauty of Naperville.
• Integrate a diversity of artistic works and activities into public spaces to promote tourism and contribute to the economic vitality of Naperville.
• Facilitate public art and community arts initiatives.
• Commemorate historic dates and events through appropriate arts projects.
• Provide opportunities for Artists to create, display, present, and perform original works and to develop and lead other art experiences.
• Represent a variety of media, artistic styles, locations, perspectives, and community interests.
• Build awareness and promote understanding of public art and the benefits of the arts.
• Serve as a point of contact for artists and community arts partners.
• Establish clear processes for review, approval, installation or presentation, maintenance, conservation, and decommissioning when applicable.
• Use thoughtful, transparent, and competitive selection processes when appropriate.
• Consider public safety and accessibility in project planning and implementation.
C. Definitions and Program Categories
Artist: is an individual or group engaged in the creation, presentation, or performance of artistic work or an art experience. Artists may work in a variety of disciplines, including, but not limited to, visual arts, music, dance, theater, spoken word, literary arts, multimedia, interactive or participatory art, and other creative disciplines. For purposes of this Program, an Artist may create a physical work of art, present a performance, or develop or lead another art experience.
Artist Group: consists of two or more artists who work collectively or collaboratively on artistic projects or activities, whether through a formal organization, nonprofit, cooperative, collective, or informal association.
Art Experiences: is a public-facing opportunity that engages individuals or the community with art through participation, observation, interaction, learning, or other forms of creative engagement. Art experiences may include exhibitions, artist lectures or demonstrations, interactive or participatory projects, workshops, community surveys or engagement activities, and other arts-based activities.
Community Arts: refers broadly to artistic activities, projects, and opportunities supported through the Program that engage the community and contribute to Naperville's cultural and creative life. Community Arts may include physical public art, performances, exhibitions, interactive or participatory projects, artist demonstrations, workshops, lectures, and other art experiences.
Performance: is a live artistic presentation before an audience. Performances may include music, theater, dance, spoken word, and other performing arts. A Performance may occur as part of a Special Event, but a Performance is an artistic activity rather than a type of Special Event.
Physical Public Art: is a tangible work of art intended for temporary or permanent display in a public space or other location accessible to the public. Examples may include sculpture, murals, mosaics, installations, and other original visual or three-dimensional works. Physical Public Art may be located on City property, on property owned by another governmental entity, or on private property. Ownership and maintenance responsibilities will be established through applicable agreements and the provisions of this Program.
Special Event: an event as defined in the City of Naperville's Special Events section of the Policy and Procedure Manual.
D. Guiding Principles
• Public art and community arts enhance the character and identity of the community.
• The City is responsible for physical public art it owns.
• Property owners are responsible for artwork located on their property unless otherwise provided through a written agreement.
• Community partnerships strengthen opportunities for artists and the public.
• Arts projects should be planned with long-term maintenance, stewardship, feasibility, and public access in mind when applicable.
• Decisions regarding arts projects should be transparent, fiscally responsible, and consistent with City policies.
• Arts opportunities should reflect a diversity of media, styles, locations, community interests, and artistic perspectives.
• Public safety and accessibility should be considered in project planning and implementation.
E. Application - Annual Call for Arts Projects
The SECA Commission and Community Services Department staff will facilitate a Call for Arts Projects as part of the SECA Grant Fund Program application cycle. The Call may include physical public art, performances, and other art experiences, as appropriate.
Both nonprofit organizations recognized under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code and individual artists who do not have a 501(c) designation may apply through the applicable SECA Grant Fund Program process. Applicants may be eligible for concurrent SECA Grant Fund Program awards and may submit more than one application per funding year, subject to the applicable SECA policies and application requirements.
F. Evaluation and Selection
Applications will be evaluated using criteria appropriate to the type of project proposed. Criteria may include, but are not limited to:
• Quality and purpose of the art or artistic activity.
• Intentionality of design or artistic approach.
• Artistic, community, and/or public impact.
• Diversity of art forms.
• Originality and consideration of redundancy.
• Location and relationship to the surrounding public space or community.
• Conservation and maintenance requirements, when applicable to physical public art.
• Public safety and accessibility.
• Agreements, liability, and other legal or administrative considerations.
• Alignment with the goals of the Program.
• Feasibility, including permitting and implementation considerations.
• Financial information, including the project budget and applicable final financial reporting requirements.
Physical Public Art - Additional Considerations
• Durability and suitability of materials for the proposed location.
• Installation requirements and impacts to public property (Certificate of Insurance)
• Long-term maintenance and conservation needs.
• Ownership and copyright.
• Proposed duration of display and potential decommissioning.
• Availability of an appropriate location and any required property-owner agreement.
Performances and Other Art Experiences - Additional Considerations
• Quality and appropriateness of the artistic presentation or experience.
• Artist or presenter qualifications, when appropriate.
• Audience and community engagement.
• Feasibility of presentation, including location, timing, permitting, accessibility, and public safety.
• Ability to complete the project within the approved timeframe and budget.
G. Review and Approval Process
The SECA Commission will perform a review of all applications and reach consensus on a Unified Recommendation for award. The City Council will have final approval when required. Upon approval, the City and artist, organization, property owner, or other appropriate party will execute applicable agreements. Staff will coordinate required installation, presentation, performance, permitting, and other implementation requirements.
H. Eligibility
Both non-profit [501(c)] organizations in good standing and individual artists who do not have a 501 (c) designation may apply to the SECA Grant-Community Arts/Public Arts Program. Applicants are eligible for concurrent SECA Grant Fund Program awards and may submit more than one application per funding year.
I. Placement and Project Completion
Request for a time extension must be made in writing to the Special Events Coordinator for SECA Commission approval. If no extension is requested, recipients will forfeit reimbursement of all grant monies and shall return any funds. The approved project scope, budget, location, and timeline should be reflected in the applicable agreement or other project documentation.
J. Agreements, Placement, and Liability
Works of art selected and implemented pursuant to the Program may be placed in, on, or about any public place owned by the City of Naperville by agreement with the art owner. If physical public art or another arts project is to be located on private property, an agreement with the private property owner must be submitted for approval. The City and the artist, organization, property owner, or other appropriate party will execute an agreement, as applicable, outlining terms including liability, maintenance, permitting, ownership, duration, removal, and other project-specific requirements.
K. Ownership and Copyright
Unless otherwise stated in an applicable agreement, the City of Naperville does not own, collect royalties on, or hold copyrights for temporary works of art approved by the SECA Commission.
As detailed in the applicable agreement, the artist or organization creating the artwork may grant the City of Naperville a limited right to reproduce the artwork for purposes of promoting the Program and Program events through print and electronic communications. As a general rule, the City of Naperville will require ownership of permanent physical public art installations located on City-owned property when City funding for the installation exceeds $5,000, unless otherwise approved.
L. Physical Public Art - Ownership and Responsibility
City-Owned Physical Public Art
Artwork located on City property or formally accepted into the City's collection is considered City-owned physical public art. The City is responsible for maintenance, conservation, repairs, relocation, and decommissioning, subject to available funding and established maintenance priorities.
Public Art on Other Government Property
Artwork located on property owned by another governmental entity remains the responsibility of that property owner unless otherwise provided through a written agreement. The City may provide technical assistance but does not assume maintenance responsibility unless authorized by written agreement.
Public Art on Private Property
Artwork located on privately owned property remains the responsibility of the property owner unless otherwise provided through a written agreement. Property owners are responsible for maintenance, restoration, insurance, building repairs affecting artwork, and removal or replacement. The City may provide information regarding artists, conservators, or funding opportunities but does not assume financial or maintenance responsibility unless authorized by written agreement.
M. Documentation and Inventory
The City will maintain a catalog of permanent physical public art in the Program. The inventory should include, as applicable, the artist, grant application and final award amount, placement date, location, medium, photographs, maintenance and/or damage documentation, ownership information, applicable agreements, and decommission date.
Program records for performances and other art experiences should be maintained in accordance with applicable City records-retention requirements and SECA Grant Fund Program requirements.
N. Maintenance and Stewardship
Every physical public art project should include consideration of long-term maintenance before installation. The City will maintain artwork within its collection in accordance with available funding and established maintenance priorities.
Property owners are responsible for maintaining artwork located on their property unless otherwise provided through a written agreement. When requested, the City may assist in identifying the original artist, conservator, or other appropriate resources.
O. Decommissioning
Decommissioning is the process of permanently removing physical public artwork from public display. Decommissioning may include relocation, transfer of ownership, return to the artist, demolition, disposal, or another appropriate method of disposition. Physical public artwork may be considered for decommissioning when any of the following conditions are met:
• The artwork has reached the end of its approved or useful life, including the approved display period or decommission date.
• The artwork has physically deteriorated.
• The artwork is a duplicate or is considered excess.
• The artwork is fraudulent or not authentic.
• The artwork displays faults of workmanship or materials.
• An appropriate space for display no longer exists.
• The artwork is attached or embedded in a structure slated for destruction.
• The artist requests removal.
• Other circumstances make continued display inappropriate.
• Restoration is no longer practical or financially feasible.
• Redevelopment, construction, or public safety necessitates removal.
• The property owner elects not to retain artwork located on non-City property.
Whenever practical, staff should attempt to contact the original artist before decommissioning occurs to discuss potential relocation, restoration, or other appropriate disposition. The City's participation in the decommissioning process for artwork located on non-City property is advisory only and does not create or imply ownership or maintenance responsibility.
P. Education and Community Engagement
The SECA Commission will facilitate public education and community engagement components of the Program. To the extent possible, commissioners and staff will collaborate with organizations on events and activities designed to provide a greater understanding of public art and the arts and to gather feedback on desired arts experiences.
Activities may include, but are not limited to, artist lectures, exhibitions of works, artist demonstrations, interactive or participatory projects, workshops and other educational activities, community surveys and engagement activities, performances, and other public arts presentations.
Q. Community Partnerships
The City recognizes the value of community organizations that support the arts. Community partners may assist by promoting Calls for Artists, connecting artists with opportunities, assisting with community engagement, identifying grant opportunities, providing expertise, and serving on artist selection panels.
Community partners serve in an advisory and collaborative role. Program administration, procurement, budgeting, contracting, and final decision-making remain the responsibility of the City and its designated bodies.
R. Annual Work Plan
Each year, staff may prepare a Community Arts and Public Art Work Plan identifying maintenance priorities, conservation projects, new physical public art opportunities, performances and other art experiences, Calls for Artists, community partnerships, grant opportunities, public engagement activities, and other Program initiatives.
The Annual Work Plan will be developed in coordination with the City's budget process and the annual SECA grant cycle to identify eligible projects, establish funding priorities, and coordinate project implementation.