The city is putting the finishing touches on its new approach to public art, with a plan it says is more flexible and will help more local artists secure contracts.
Art
City plans to decouple public art funding from project locations after blowback to highway art installations
The program was frozen in 2017 by city council amid ongoing controversy about art pieces.
The art program previously saw one per cent of any major infrastructure project’s budget put toward public art, but stipulated the art needed to be near the project. That resulted in pieces such as Travelling Light, better known as the big blue ring, perched atop a highway overpass near the airport.
Bowfort Towers near Canada Olympic Park and the Forest Lawn Lift Station were also panned by the public as bad art in poorly thought-out places.
The city has since contracted out commissioning of its public art to a third party — Calgary Arts Development Authority — and the recommendations approved Wednesday aim to decouple funding from specific infrastructure projects.
“Essentially, what this does is transfer funds from a restricted pool of money to an unrestricted pool of money,” he said, “which means that for artists, we can do more art projects in the community where the public can appreciate it, as opposed to in locations which perhaps weren’t suited for public art.”
He said communities have been requesting public art and changes to the policy will allow for that, as well as robust public engagement on future projects.
However, Nkemdirim said new flexibility will allow them to commission smaller projects in more locations, which would sometimes put them below the threshold for international agreements.
“(We can) divide the money into smaller chunks like we did on 17th Avenue, and really engage local artists to create work and get that experience so they can go and compete internationally,” he said.
Committee chair Coun. Kourtney Penner said the changes will take art from the concrete jungle and instead embed it into communities.
She said the one per cent funding can remain tied to project locations when it makes sense, such as on new recreation centres or libraries.
Council allocated $12.1 million in its capital budget last November to be used for public art over the next four years. That money will be decoupled from any restrictions if it passes final council approval.
The city also has a pool of $9 million from the one per cent funding from infrastructure projects since the program freeze. A city official said that money has been allocated and details on those art projects should come out once the policy update is approved by council.
The policy update passed committee in a 6-2 vote, with councillors Dan McLean and Sean Chu opposed.
brthomas@postmedia.com
Twitter: @brodie_thomas
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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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