During Fort Worth Public Art's (FWPA) 15th Anniversary Year, Consultants Barbara Goldstein and Jessica Cusick were engaged to review the program's accomplishments since the original FWPA Master Plan was adopted by City Council on September 30, 2003, (M&C G-14087) and to seek input from the Mayor and City Council Members; City staff; community, business and neighborhood leaders; local artists and arts and design professionals; current and past members of the Fort Worth Art Commission; the Arts Council of Fort Worth's Board of Directors and staff and residents of Fort Worth through individual and small group interviews, focus groups and two public meetings. An online survey was also conducted to which 377 residents responded.
In addition, Goldstein and Cusick engaged a team of local artists, ACT United, to survey Fort Worth residents of all ages using an interactive temporary public art project of their design titled Coming Home: Community Conversations on Public Art, which they took to community events throughout the City. It generated over 2,000 responses.
What emerged was a vision for FWPA going forward: Public art helps to define Fort Worth's character as a vibrant and sustainable 21st Century city by celebrating its storied history, contributing to its iconic destinations, shaping its distinct neighborhoods, and honoring its close connection to nature.
The plan update includes 5 overarching goals developed to assist FWPA in planning and prioritizing resources as it works to realize this vision over the next 15 years, including: (1) Commissioning diverse and artistically excellent site-integrated artworks that are accessible by all; (2) Building a more robust communication and community engagement process and providing opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the city's public art collection; (3) Collaborating with private institutions to develop iconic destination-quality artworks in prominent gathering places; (4) Highlighting the unique and diverse talents of the local and regional artist community; and (5) Engaging public and private sector partners to expand the number of entities engaged in commissioning public art. The plan details 10 recommendations to help achieve these goals.
The consultants presented the Draft FWPA Master Plan Update to the Fort Worth Art Commission on June 12, 2017 and to City Council on June 13, 2017. A public input period began on June 14, 2017 and extended until August 13, 2017, during which time the plan update document, in its entirety, was published on the program's website (www.fwpublicart.org) and hard copies were delivered to the Mayor and City Council Members.
ART COMMISSION ACTIONS:
On August 14, 2017, after a Public Hearing, the Art Commission made a formal recommendation that City Council adopt the FWPA Master Plan Update as presented by the consultants.
On September 11, 2017, the Art Commission recommended a change in the FWPA Master Plan Update (Recommendation Section VI(3)(A.5) on page 23) to address City Council Members' participation on artist selection panels for projects in their districts. City staff recommends adopting the attached FWPA Master Plan Update with the language in Section VI(3)(A.5) and Appendix 4(a) modified as reflected in the attached document.
City Council received a briefing on the recommended FWPA Master Plan Update on October 10, 2017. The Art Commission and staff will begin implementing recommendations in the FWPA Master Plan Update upon City Council's adoption.
This M&C does not request approval of a contract with a business entity. |
