CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Receive the Century Walk Long-Range Plan for Public Art and table discussion until such time staff, the SECA Commission, and the proposed Public Art Task Force review and bring a recommendation to the City Council
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DEPARTMENT: City Clerk’s Office
SUBMITTED BY: Pam Gallahue, PhD, Director-City Clerk
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
Under New Business at its December 15, 2020 meeting, the City Council directed staff to begin meeting with Century Walk to define a working relationship and present a recommendation in 2021.
In addition to Council direction, staff is also committed to partnering with Century Walk to create a plan for the future of public art in Naperville. While not certain, this may involve a grant program with a competitive application process. Ultimately, the goal is to design the future of public art as vetted by a diverse Public Art Task Force (including Century Walk representatives), been the subject of rich community discourse as part of the City’s 2021 strategic plan process, and validated by artists of all types.
On Friday, February 26 staff took the first step to create a group that will begin the public art discussion and sent an email to Century Walk asking for a list of preferred invitees (capped at four). Century Walk agreed to the meeting and responded with its list of invitees on March 5. While the date/time has yet to be decided, staff anticipates the meeting being held the week of April 19.
The meeting will have three objectives:
1. Council direction from December 15, 2020 will be recapped and the group will discuss the goals of developing a diverse, inclusive, and sustainable Public Art Program through a public/private partnership, defining the relationship and responsibilities between the City and Century Walk, and creating a way to promote/support/grow public art in a way that people from all areas, ethnicities, economic levels, genders, and lifestyles feel welcome and are able to participate.
2. A speaker will give an overview of a current municipal art program.
3. The entire group will discuss the possible membership of the Public Art Task Force (which will include Century Walk), define subcommittees topics, and set a date to confirm members.
On Monday evening, March 8, the Century Walk Advisory Committee emailed the attached Long-Range Plan for Public Art and requested it be placed on the March 16 City Council agenda. Mayor Chirico concurred.
DISCUSSION:
Neither staff nor members of the SECA Commission had input into the creation of the plan nor had time to review or discuss since its receipt.
In order to properly review, engage interested parties such as the Downtown Naperville Alliance, SECA Commission, and Art of Inclusion, and thoughtfully develop a comprehensive plan with a potential grant program, staff anticipates a series of meetings with the Public Art Task Force over a number of months.
A final recommendation to be presented to the City Council is targeted for fall 2021 to align with the conclusion of the City’s strategic plan process, the CY22 budget discussions, and the CY22 SECA Grant Fund application process.
To adhere to Council direction to work collaboratively with Century Walk in the development of a plan, staff requests this item be tabled until a time when a unified recommendation can be presented from the Public Art Task Force.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A