HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-05-06 Commission on Cultural Development Minutes
Commission for Cultural Development
Minutes of Regular Meeting May 6, 2005, 7:30 a.m.
Minutes of Regular Meeting May 6, 2005, 7:30 a.m.
Bangor City Hall Council Chambers
Bangor City Hall Council Chambers
Attendees:
Attendees:
Members: Evelyn Silver, Susan Jonason, Steve Ribble, Sandra Blake-
Members: Evelyn Silver, Susan Jonason, Steve Ribble, Sandra Blake-
Leonard, Mark Torres, Geoff Gratwick, John Rohman, Chair
Leonard, Mark Torres, Geoff Gratwick, John Rohman, Chair
Staff Sally Bates
Staff Sally Bates
1. The Commission heard the recommendation of the Art in Public
Places subcommittee that the "GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR
EVALUATING AND ACCEPTING PUBLIC ART AND MONUMENTS TO BE
LOCATED ON CITY PROPERTY" be referred to City Council for approval
in the form that it appears in the minutes of the subcommittee's May 2
minutes, which are incorporated herein. The Commission voted
unanimously in favor of that, and S. Bates is to submit the guidelines to Council,
in accordance with appropriate operating procedures, at the earliest opportunity.
2. The Commission next reviewed the proposal submitted by the
"Cemetery Angels", represented by John Frawley, to name and to
place a historical plaque in the City park at the corner of West
Broadway and Buck Street. The Commission ratified the subcommittee's
recommendation that the City Council approve this request to place a
monument, at no cost to the City. S. Bates is to submit the request and the
Commission's recommendation to Council, in accordance with appropriate
operating procedures, at the earliest opportunity after the "GUIDELINES AND
PROCEDURES FOR EVALUATING AND ACCEPTING PUBLIC ART AND
MONUMENTS TO BE LOCATED ON CITY PROPERTY" has been approved by
Council. (Note: if the "guidelines…" are not approved by Council in substantially
the same form as submitted, it may be necessary to reconsider the request of
the Cemetery Angels in light of different guidelines.)
3. Chairman John Rohman led a strategy discussion of the
3. Chairman John Rohman led a strategy discussion of the
Commission's recommendation to City Council for the 2006
Commission's recommendation to City Council for the 2006
appropriation. Commissioners will contact community members,
appropriation. Commissioners will contact community members,
encouraging them to share their thoughts on this topic with City
encouraging them to share their thoughts on this topic with City
Councilors.
Councilors.
Commissioner Blake-Leonard will appear at the May 9 Council meeting in the
Commissioner Blake-Leonard will appear at the May 9 Council meeting in the
public comment portion to make an appeal for funding at the level of $200,000
public comment portion to make an appeal for funding at the level of $200,000
for the upcoming fiscal year. Commissioner Silver will join her if possible.
for the upcoming fiscal year. Commissioner Silver will join her if possible.
Commissioners will contact community members, encouraging them to share
Commissioners will contact community members, encouraging them to share
their thoughts on this topic with City Councilors. The request submitted appears
their thoughts on this topic with City Councilors. The request submitted appears
below:
below:
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To: Bangor City Council; Ed Barrett, City Manager; Deborah Cyr, Finance
To: Bangor City Council; Ed Barrett, City Manager; Deborah Cyr, Finance
Director
Director
From: Commission for Cultural Development, John Rohman, Chair
From: Commission for Cultural Development, John Rohman, Chair
Subject: Annual program and budget recommendations relating to cultural grants
Subject: Annual program and budget recommendations relating to cultural grants
and public art, and annual program and budget recommendations relating
and public art, and annual program and budget recommendations relating
to maintenance of public art and monuments
to maintenance of public art and monuments
Date: March 31, 2005
Date: March 31, 2005
By ordinance, the Bangor City Council has charged the Commission for Cultural
By ordinance, the Bangor City Council has charged the Commission for Cultural
Development with the tasks of presenting for Council's review:
Development with the tasks of presenting for Council's review:
Annual program and budget recommendations relating to cultural grants and
Annual program and budget recommendations relating to cultural grants and
public art, and
public art, and
annual program and budget recommendations relating to maintenance of
annual program and budget recommendations relating to maintenance of
public art and monuments.
public art and monuments.
Accordingly, the Commission for Cultural Development offers the following
Accordingly, the Commission for Cultural Development offers the following
programs and corresponding budget recommendations for the fiscal year that will
programs and corresponding budget recommendations for the fiscal year that will
end on June 30, 2006. Examples of past funding are offered only for
end on June 30, 2006. Examples of past funding are offered only for
clarification, and are in no way intended to suggest specific funding intentions.
clarification, and are in no way intended to suggest specific funding intentions.
Annual program and budget recommendations relating to
Annual program and budget recommendations relating to
cultural grants and public art total $200,000, allocated as
cultural grants and public art total $200,000, allocated as
follows:
follows:
1. Relating to Legislative findings and declarations § 95-1. G. " The
1. Relating to Legislative findings and declarations § 95-1. G. " The
City should actively seek to partner with all sectors of the
City should actively seek to partner with all sectors of the
community (i) to ensure public accessibility to arts and cultural
community (i) to ensure public accessibility to arts and cultural
organizations, and (ii) to advance the organizational and financial
organizations, and (ii) to advance the organizational and financial
stability of such organizations;"
stability of such organizations;"
$50,000 in support of such requests.
$50,000 in support of such requests.
Examples of such requests that have been funded in the past include Penobscot Theatre
Examples of such requests that have been funded in the past include Penobscot Theatre
and Bangor Museum and Center for History.
and Bangor Museum and Center for History.
2. Relating to Legislative findings and declarations B, C, D, E, and F.
2. Relating to Legislative findings and declarations B, C, D, E, and F.
B. Art and culture are relevant, meaningful, inspiring,
B. Art and culture are relevant, meaningful, inspiring,
central to the integrity of one’s being, and strong
central to the integrity of one’s being, and strong
contributors to the community's unique sense of place;
contributors to the community's unique sense of place;
C. Art and culture are not only for the affluent, and art in
C. Art and culture are not only for the affluent, and art in
public places is for the benefit of everyone; art and
public places is for the benefit of everyone; art and
cultural activities should be accessible to everyone;
cultural activities should be accessible to everyone;
D. Art and culture are engines of economic growth, and as
D. Art and culture are engines of economic growth, and as
such should be nurtured to achieve economic benefits
such should be nurtured to achieve economic benefits
and to attract and retain the creative workforce and
and to attract and retain the creative workforce and
residents necessary for our community to thrive;
residents necessary for our community to thrive;
E. The purpose of municipal support of arts, cultural and
humanities activities, organizations, and public art
collections is to help to sustain the level of activity and
accessibility that meets the community's needs;
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F. The public sector must lead initiatives to meet the
F. The public sector must lead initiatives to meet the
community’s cultural needs if private participation is to
community’s cultural needs if private participation is to
follow;
follow;
$75,000 in support of such requests.
$75,000 in support of such requests.
Example of such a request, meeting all the same legislative findings and declarations,
Example of such a request, meeting all the same legislative findings and declarations,
that has been funded in the past is the American Folk Festival.
that has been funded in the past is the American Folk Festival.
3. Relating to artistic/cultural proposals for special purposes, and
3. Relating to artistic/cultural proposals for special purposes, and
which balance current popularity with a vision for enduring
which balance current popularity with a vision for enduring
relevance and value;
relevance and value;
$25,000 in support of such requests.
$25,000 in support of such requests.
Example of such a request that has been funded in the past is the special performance by
Example of such a request that has been funded in the past is the special performance by
the Bangor Symphony in the fall of 2004.
the Bangor Symphony in the fall of 2004.
4. Relating to Legislative finding and declaration A.
4. Relating to Legislative finding and declaration A.
The social, educational, artistic and economic impact of arts,
The social, educational, artistic and economic impact of arts,
humanities and culture is dynamic; the City must respond
humanities and culture is dynamic; the City must respond
appropriately to changes in those areas; and in support of the
appropriately to changes in those areas; and in support of the
Commission's responsibility to "Work with the community to
Commission's responsibility to "Work with the community to
identify and encourage opportunities for the incubation of
identify and encourage opportunities for the incubation of
promising arts and cultural enterprises;"
promising arts and cultural enterprises;"
$50,000 in support of such requests.
$50,000 in support of such requests.
Examples of such requests that have been funded in the past include Arts on the Green,
Examples of such requests that have been funded in the past include Arts on the Green,
and the National Folk Festival when it was a new activity.
and the National Folk Festival when it was a new activity.
Annual program and budget recommendations relating to maintenance of
Annual program and budget recommendations relating to maintenance of
public art and monuments:
public art and monuments:
Relating to Legislative findings and declarations N: The City should endeavor to
Relating to Legislative findings and declarations N: The City should endeavor to
provide annual funding for the preservation, restoration and enhancement of its
provide annual funding for the preservation, restoration and enhancement of its
public art collection, in recognition of the fact that only by instituting a steady
public art collection, in recognition of the fact that only by instituting a steady
stream of funding and standing by such a commitment will the City be able to
stream of funding and standing by such a commitment will the City be able to
fulfill its role as steward of its public art collection.
fulfill its role as steward of its public art collection.
$0 in support of this declaration.
$0 in support of this declaration.
In communications with the Director of Parks and Recreation, the Commission
In communications with the Director of Parks and Recreation, the Commission
concluded that a maintenance budget is not essential for FY 2006, and in light of the fact
concluded that a maintenance budget is not essential for FY 2006, and in light of the fact
that the Commission has just been established, Commissioners will evaluate the
that the Commission has just been established, Commissioners will evaluate the
collection and will submit a budget for FY 07.
collection and will submit a budget for FY 07.
4. The Commission discussed its mandates to conduct a cultural survey
4. The Commission discussed its mandates to conduct a cultural survey
and to develop a comprehensive Arts and Cultural Policy. Members
and to develop a comprehensive Arts and Cultural Policy. Members
unanimously agreed that contacting Maine Arts Commission with a request for
unanimously agreed that contacting Maine Arts Commission with a request for
funding assistance for the survey project is the appropriate first step, and that
funding assistance for the survey project is the appropriate first step, and that
the policy development should follow the completion of the survey and
the policy development should follow the completion of the survey and
assessment. S. Bates is to contact Maine Arts Commission.
assessment. S. Bates is to contact Maine Arts Commission.
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5. The Commission received an update from Staff re collaboration(s) in
the works with the University of Maine Art Department and Eastern Maine
Community College. Chairman Rohman encouraged Commissioners to
identify potential collaborative projects for which the city can apply for grants.
6. The next meeting will be on June 6 , at 7:30 a.m. in Council
Chambers.
The following are the minutes of the meeting that the Art in Public Places
Subcommittee held this morning.
Commission for Cultural Development, Art in Public Places Subcommittee
Art in Public Places Subcommittee
Meeting Minutes May 2, 2005
Meeting Minutes May 2, 2005
7:30 a.m.
7:30 a.m.
Bangor City Hall Council Chambers
Bangor City Hall Council Chambers
Attendees: Steve Ribble, Chair, Sandra Blake-Leonard, Geoff Gratwick, John
Attendees: Steve Ribble, Chair, Sandra Blake-Leonard, Geoff Gratwick, John
Rohman, Frank Comeau, Sally Bates, John Frawley (presenting)
Rohman, Frank Comeau, Sally Bates, John Frawley (presenting)
Agenda
Agenda
1. Committee reviewed and finalized a draft of "GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES
Committee reviewed and finalized a draft of "
FOR EVALUATING AND ACCEPTING PUBLIC ART AND MONUMENTS TO BE LOCATED
ON CITY PROPERTY" for presentation to the full Commission for Cultural
Development on May 6. (see end of these minutes)
2. John Frawley presented a request on behalf of The Volunteer Cemetery
Angels to place a plaque in the park at West Broadway and Buck Street
Frank Comeau, Director of Parks and Recreation, will be in attendance to
provide technical assistance to the subcommittee as it reviews this request.
Mr. Frawley's request was accompanied by a narrative, exhibits, and
documentation in support of the facts on which the proposal is based. The
Art in Public Places subcommittee approved the conceptual design of the
proposal with minor modifications, namely:
That the monument be placed within the park close to the
corner at the intersection of West Broadway and Buck Street.
That the park be named "Old Cemetery Park".
The next subcommittee meeting is scheduled for June 6, 2005, in Council
Chambers, with the following issues as agenda items:
Proposal for Installation of the Charles O. Howard Memorial Foundation
Presentation by Brad Wellman and Ryan King detailing their request that this
subcommittee consider and recommend appropriate commemoration of
monuments dedicated to people and groups of people who have played a role
in Bangor's history.
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GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR EVALUATING AND ACCEPTING
PUBLIC ART AND MONUMENTS TO BE LOCATED ON CITY PROPERTY
1.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to insure that public art and monuments placed
on public property are of high artistic merit, that the thematic material is
appropriate for the City, and that the monument treats its subject matter with
appropriate dignity.
2.0 GENERAL POLICY
It is the general policy of the City of Bangor to support efforts to increase the
City’s inventory of public art and monuments. Public monuments serve to
recognize and memorialize people, events, and social trends that are important
to the history of Bangor and to our sense of place as a community. Public Art
serves to enhance the cultural and aesthetic quality of life and to add interest
and excitement to our community’s public spaces.
3.0 GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC MONUMENTS
In considering whether a specific proposal for a public monument is
appropriate, the following criteria should be applied:
3.1 The monument relates to persons or events recognized by the public as
of sufficient significance to the community or its history as to warrant
a public presence.
3.2 The monument honors an individual, group of individuals, place or
event that has a direct relationship to Bangor. It recognizes a social
trend, idea or symbol which has been seminal in changing the
preconceptions, attitudes and outlook of the citizens of Bangor.
3.3 In the case of individuals, persons to be honored should have died a
sufficient length of time in the past, generally at least twenty years, for
their ideas, service, and accomplishments to be placed in an accurate
and meaningfully interpreted historical perspective.
3.4 The subject is of relevance to the community as a whole, not solely to
a distinct segment or subset of the community.
3.5 The artistic merit of the proposal, including consideration of the
suitability of the artistic theme to its subject matter.
3.6 If the subject is portrayed elsewhere in a public space, the proposal
will present a different facet of the subject and/or not detract from the
existing monument.
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3.7 The adequacy of documentation provided to support the factual
background on which the case has been built for erecting the
monument.
4.0 GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC ART
In considering whether a specific proposal for a public artwork is appropriate,
the artistic merit of the proposal shall be reviewed, including the suitability of
the artistic theme to its subject matter and its relevance to the community.
5.0 APPROVAL PROCESS -- CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
When a proposal is made, either by the City or a group within the community,
to erect a monument or artwork on public property owned or controlled by the
City, the following review and approval process should be implemented.
5.1 The organization seeking approval for the monument or artwork shall
submit an application to the City Manager. The application shall
include a general discussion of the purpose of the work, the artistic
format or medium to be employed, and the proposed location. In the
case of a public monument, the application shall specifically address
the criteria outlined in Section 3 above.
5.2 The City Manager shall refer the application to the Council for
Cultural Development and to appropriate City staff for review and
comment, and those staff members will participate with the "Art in
public places subcommittee" in a review of the application.
5.3 The Art in Public Places subcommittee shall review the proposal and
make a recommendation to the City Council as to whether the general
concept presented should be approved or denied. For a proposed
monument, the committee shall be guided by the criteria established in
Section 3 above; for a proposed public art project, the committee shall
be guided by the criterion established in Section 4 above.
5.4 Upon receipt of the Art in Public Places subcommittee's
recommendation, the Council shall take formal action to approve or
deny the concept as presented.
6.0 APPROVAL PROCESS - DETAILED DESIGN
5.5 Once conceptual design approval has been granted, the organization
promoting the project shall submit a detailed proposal to the Art in
Public Places subcommittee including a detailed description of the
artwork or monument (accompanied by perspective drawings where
appropriate), the location, budget, funding plan (including plans for a
maintenance endowment), and plan for implementing the project,
including a projected timeline.
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5.6 The Art in Public Places subcommittee shall then review the design
and the proposed location to determine whether they are appropriate.
In making this decision, the committee shall take into account the
following:
5.6.1 That the integrity of the artistic merit of the proposal as
initially presented has been maintained as the proposal has
been developed.
5.6.2 The extent to which the work is consistent with the public
location selected and the surrounding natural and human
landscape.
5.6.3 Public safety and security.
5.6.4 The nature and expense of ongoing maintenance required and
to what degree the burden of maintenance and upkeep will fall
on the city.
5.7 Upon completion of this review, the Art in Public Places
subcommittee shall report its recommendations to the City Council.
The Art in Public Places subcommittee may recommend that the
project be approved, be approved with modifications, or be denied.
5.8
5.9 The City Council shall then take the necessary action to formally
approve or deny the proposal, including adopting the necessary
Council Order to accept ownership of the monument/artwork once
completed and establishing the amount required, if any, for a
maintenance endowment.
6 FINAL DESIGN
The organization proposing the monument or artwork shall prepare final
design documents for submission to the Art in Public Places subcommittee. .
These shall include details regarding materials, scale, site plan, design, and
other information bearing on the final project. The committee must approve
the final design of the project. Prior to final approval, the committee shall
seek the advice and recommendations of the Director of Infrastructure and
Development Support, the Chief of Police, and the Director of the Department
with responsibility for the property on which the monument/artwork is to be
located. No work may begin until the project has been approved by the
citizen committee and all required permits have been obtained.
7 PERMITS AND CONSTRUCTION
Prior to construction, the proposing organization must:
7.1 Obtain all necessary licenses and permits for the project
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7.2 Deposit with the City the maintenance endowment, if any, required by
the City
7.3 Submit to the City all required design documents. Shop drawings and
maintenance instructions must be submitted as available and prior to
final City acceptance.
7.4 Construction must be done in accordance with approved plans and
permits. Minor modifications or deviations may be approved by the
Director of Infrastructure and Development Support. Other
modifications must be approved by the Art in Public Places
subcommittee.
8 RESPONSIBILITY FOR REVIEW
The Director of Infrastructure and Development Support shall periodically review this
policy and recommend any changes that he/she believes are appropriate.
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