Art
A new plan for public art in Calgary is up for debate
Calgary city council wants a new approach to funding public art installations.
The plan would see public money from infrastructure put into public artworks, but will change where that artwork is ultimately displayed.
The city put its controversial public art program on hold in 2017.
That program saw one per cent of the money spent on public infrastructure projects like roads and overpasses be put toward art installations and those installations were required to be near the infrastructure projects.
Bowfort Towers along the TransCanada Highway is an example of that, and it didn’t sit well with a lot of Calgarians like Carol Burnstein.
“You can’t see it,” Burnstein said.
“I thought it was some kind of construction … What’s the good of that? No one can stop and look at it. They need to be a little more aware of what they’re doing.”
That’s part of council’s plan in rejigging and reviving the program.
The new plan would still see one per cent of the money spent on infrastructure go to artwork, but on multiple smaller artworks spread throughout communities.
Some councillors like Ward 12’s Dan Mclean think it is still money not well-spent.
“At this time, affordability is what is on the top of mind to almost all Calgarians, whether they’re putting food in their table, gas in their tanks (or) their property taxes,” McLean said.
“Maybe we should be looking at lower taxes instead of maybe buying art right now.”
Public art does put food on the table for many Calgary creators, from artists to engineers.
Carvel Creative designs and manufactures large-scale public art, paid for both privately and with public funds.
Most of the work it produces goes out of town.
Creative director Adam Weir welcomes council’s renewed interest in funding public art.
“We produce probably upwards of 30 pieces of artwork a year in our facility here. We employ staff locally, we keep all of our materials and vendors local, as much as possible local to Alberta and as much as possible in Calgary,” Weir said.
“We are normally travelling our artworks across Canada, as far as Montreal, to Vancouver. That’s where the bulk of our work is, outside of this province. So it would be nice to see our work more embraced in this province, and specifically Calgary.”
After fierce backlash over projects like “Travelling Light,” often referred to as the big blue ring, some councillors like Ward 2’s Jennifer Wyness believe there should be a greater emphasis on asking the question ‘Is this art?’ before approving a project.
“We have to acknowledge that Calgarians are the biggest art critics,” Wyness said.
“And so, we really have to look at if there is a value and a place for it, and is it important, but (also) discuss and debate what is the aesthetic of the art.”
The city is off-loading those decisions by contracting them out to the Calgary Arts Development Authority, which plans to tender out more, smaller works by local artists.
That’s an idea that sits well with many Calgarians like Bev Stewart.
“I don’t mind spending my taxes on public art, if it’s local artists that are doing it,” Stewart said.
“I would be proud of if we get local artists and you know, we can support them.”
The city already set aside $12.1 million in its last capital budget for art over the next four years.
It still has $9 million left over from before the program got frozen in 2017.
Council was set to debate the revival of the arts program Tuesday, but by publication had not reached the item on its agenda.
When the proposal went before a council committee prior to coming to full council for debate, it passed 6-2.
Councillors McLean and Sean Chu voted against it.
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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