Art Group Updates Ann Arbor Council

At its May 7, 2012 meeting, the Ann Arbor city council received a presentation on the public art commission’s annual plan.

The plan includes five objectives: (1) Develop a master plan for 2013-2016 that will create community engagement and expedite work of the commission. (2) Advance the following projects that are underway, meeting all deadlines. All the projects have task force oversight, approved budgets, and are in various stages of completion. The projects are: (a) installation of Ed Carpenter’s “Radius” sculpture in the lobby of the Justice Center by November 2012 ($150,000); (b) a mural in Allmendinger Park by Mary Thiefels, to be completed by September 2012 ($12,000); (c) two additional murals by August 2013 ($40,000); (d) artwork for a rain garden at Kingsley and First by August 2013 ($27,000); (e) artwork for the East Stadium bridges by the fall of 2014 ($400,000); and (f) installation of artwork in the Detroit Institute of Art’s Inside|Out project by the spring of 2013 (budget TBD). (3) By June 2012, identify and prioritize new projects for FY 2013, allocating existing funds using agreed-upon criteria of type, location, and community involvement. (4) By Aug. 1, develop and begin to implement an effective communications plan about the uses and value of public art and the operation of the commission. (5) Collaborate with commissions, organizations, and agencies to accomplish public art projects.

The plan was discussed by the commission as part of its March 28, 2012 meeting.

This brief was filed from the city council’s chambers on the second floor of city hall, located at 301 E. Huron. A more detailed report will follow: [link]