Cary Visual Art

Public Art In Residence Program Guidelines

 

Submitted by:

Renee Piechocki

Public Art Planning Consultant

May 2003





Table of Contents:

 

I.             Executive Summary

 

II.             Overview of the Public Art In Residence Program Planning Process

                       

III.       Public Art In Residence Program Purpose and Goals

 

IV.            Recommendations

                       

·        Program Foundations

·        Artist Selection

·        Community Involvement

·        Artwork Result

 

V.             Program Guidelines and Procedures

 

·        Overview

·        Partner Responsibilities

·        Committee Structure

·        Artwork Result

·        Project Budgets

·        Length of Public Art Residency

·        Artist Selection Guidelines and Procedures

·        Community Participation Guidelines and Procedures

·        Project Design and Implementation Procedures

·        Project Evaluation

·        CVA Board of Directors Involvement

 

VI.            Definitions

 

VII.            Exhibits:

·        Exhibit A: Sample Project Timelines

·        Exhibit B: Sample Artist Contracts

·        Exhibit C: Sample Call to Communities

·        Exhibit D: Program Comparison Worksheet


 

I.             Executive Summary

 

The Cary Public Art In Residence (PAIR) program engages artists and the community in the process of creating works of art.  A traditional artist residency provides artists with time and space to work alone in a studio on the pursuit of their artistic endeavors.  A public art residency takes place outside of the private studio environment, and the artist and the public develop and pursue a collective artistic endeavor.

 

The Cary Public Art In Residence program is designed to develop meaningful connections between the community, artists, and the process of creating art.  The program is an outgrowth of Cary Visual Art’s (CVA) Long Range Plan and the organization’s mission to “promote, inspire, encourage, and support visual art for uplifting the human spirit in the Cary community.”  CVA’s Long Range Plan calls for a residency program as a strategy to achieve the goal of engaging the community in a variety of interactive public art experiences, with the objective of encouraging community understanding and involvement in the public art process.

 

 

II.             Overview of the Public Art In Residence Program Planning Process

 

In order to develop a residency program, CVA established a diverse committee with representation from arts professionals, artists, community leaders, schools, the CVA Board of Directors, and CVA committees.  The Artist Residency Steering Committee met from October 2002 to February 2003 to study residency program models nationwide, discuss and examine program elements, and develop the infrastructure for a residency program that would be successful within Cary’s particular context, while embracing professional standards in the public art field.  A summary of the model programs studied is attached as Exhibit A.

 

The Public Art In Residence Program Guidelines outline the recommendations of the Steering Committee.  The document is a reference guide for the program’s goals, program structure, and artist and community participation guidelines, which will be used to implement the Public Art In Residence program.

 

The planning process was funded by a grant received from the Goodnight Educational Foundation.  Cary Visual Art is funded in part by its members and sponsors, and by United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County, with funds from the United Arts campaign and the Grassroots Arts Program of the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of North Carolina and the National Endowment for the Arts. 

 

Members of the Steering Committee:

Mark Crummett, Fine Arts League of Cary

Marla Dorrel, Cary Town Council, Friends of the Page-Walker, Kids Together Inc.

Clare Dupree, North Carolina Museum of Art, Cary Public Art Master Plan Steering Committee

June Finkbeiner, CVA Board of Directors

Ann Goodnight, CVA Board of Directors

Donna Hargens, Green Hope Senior High School

Bryan Huffman, YMCA

Nicole Hussey, Kingswood Elementary Cultural Arts PTA Representative

Brad Johnson, Enloe High School Student and Chair of the Art Committee

Mary DePuew Kamm, CVA Board of Directors, Education/Public Relations Committee Chairperson

Anne Kratzer, Friends of the Page-Walker, Wake County Educator

Robert Myers, CVA Discovery Committee

Dennis Pitts, Cary Public Art Master Plan Steering Committee

Maril Yeske, Cary Cultural Arts Committee, Cary Public Art Steering Committee, Friends of the Page-Walker

Jeffrey York, Director of Public Art & Community Design, North Carolina Arts Council

 

Public Art Planning Consultant:

Renee Piechocki

 

Cary Visual Art Staff:

Laura Coats, Executive Director

 

Guest Presenters:

Peggy Kendellen, Program Manager, Regional Arts & Culture Council, Portland, OR

Barbara Goldstein, Director, Public and Community Arts Program, Office of Arts and Culture, Seattle, WA

 

III.       Public Art In Residence Program Purpose and Goals

 

The purpose of the Public Art In Residence (PAIR) program is to promote public art as a vehicle for exploring community identity, contemporary issues, and the creative process.    The program provides a venue for community participants to express their ideas, experiences, challenges, and successes through public art. 

 

Goal One: Foster connections between art and the everyday lives of community members.

 

Objective:       Increase the diversity of public art available in Cary.

 

Strategies:      a. Encourage artist and community participants to create work in a variety of permanent and temporary artistic media, including visual, performing, literary, and new media (video, sound, web-based artworks).

 

b. Develop art for non-traditional art settings. 

 

c. Activate spaces in which the community would not generally be

expecting art.

 

Objective:       Integrate project installations and artwork elements into daily life.

 

Strategies:      a. Solicit ideas from community members about artwork locations.

 

b. Maintain a list of possible art sites for participating artists and communities to review during their planning process.

 

c. Feature a diverse range of art sites for project installations.

 

d. Provide opportunities for the public to encounter PAIR program installations and documentation materials outside traditional exhibition settings in places the general public encounters through the normal course of a day.

 

Objective:       Create a diverse range of opportunities for Cary residents and visitors to encounter the Public Art In Residence program.

 

Strategies:      a. Provide opportunities for Public Art In Residence community and artist participants to make public presentations about their project.

 

                        b. Publicize each project through the local media, community newsletters, list serves, and newsgroups.

 

                        c. Create an opening celebration event for each Public Art In Residence project that is well publicized and open to the public.

                       

d. Encourage artists and communities to consider during their planning process the experience the general public will have when encountering the work.

 

Goal Two: Develop a broader base of support and appreciation for public art.

 

Objective:             Expand awareness of Cary Visual Art and public art within the Cary community and neighboring areas.

 

Strategies:      a. Create marketing materials about each project, including press releases, information for the CVA website, and community newsletter announcements.

 

                        b. Develop opportunities for individuals and organizations to volunteer and donate funding or in-kind services to individual residency projects.

 

c. Post announcements about the residency program on the North Carolina Arts Council public art list serve.

 

d. Work with the North Carolina Arts Council’s Public Art and Community Design program to host an information forum about the residency program.

 

Objective:       Develop resource materials documenting the Cary Public Art In Residence program. 

 

Strategies:      a. Maintain an archive of resource materials documenting individual residency projects, including the planning and implementation process.

 

b. Promote utility of the program guidelines and project documentation materials as a model for other communities. 

 

Objective:            Enhance civic pride and feelings of community ownership.

 

Strategies:      a. Enliven shared community spaces in Cary with elements of PAIR artworks.

 

b. Encourage dialogue and creative exploration about the meaning of place.

 

Goal Three: Encourage community expression through public art. 

 

Objective:             Involve new art audiences. 

 

Strategies:      a. Work with people and communities outside and inside of town center.

 

b. Encourage the participation of a diverse audience, including participants that vary in ethnicity, age, and economic status.

 

c. Encourage collaboration and partnerships between multiple communities.

                       

d. Reach out to non-arts groups to participate in the residency program, including civic organizations, businesses, young families, students, and home owners associations, through direct contact from CVA and wide circulation of project opportunities.

 

e. Maintain a mailing list of community contacts to publicize project opportunities and community events.

 

f. Cultivate relationships with professionals in the social service sector to cultivate potential PAIR program participants.

 

Objective:       Develop opportunities for community participation in the public art process.

 

Strategies:      a. Provide a program venue for community participants to express their ideas, identities, histories, experiences, challenges, and successes through public art.

 

b. Involve community participants in the planning and creative brainstorming phase of projects in order to make the public art process more evident and accessible.

 

Objective:       Foster an informed and thoughtful community dialogue about visual art.

 

Strategies:      a. Solicit input from the community group participants throughout the project planning process.

 

b. Engage community participants in the development and/or creation of public artworks.

 

IV.            Recommendations

 

The recommendations contained in this document reflect the context of Cary Visual Art and the community of Cary, North Carolina.  During their development, the consultant took into account the interests and concerns of community stakeholders.  The following recommendations are the result of research reviewed by the Steering Committee and conducted by the public art planning consultant of residency programs at public art organizations nationwide.  During the planning process, four areas of primary consideration were identified.  These include program foundations, community participation, artist selection, and artwork result.  The recommendations contained in this document respond to these categories.  In some instances, initial and intermediate recommendations have been suggested to introduce the residency program to the community and allow the program to evolve over time.

 

 

PROGRAM FOUNDATIONS

 

Recommendation 1: Develop a community focus group to review the program guidelines in order to solicit their feedback and advice.

 

CVA will develop a focus group of community members, social service representatives, and artists to introduce the collaborative public art process, solicit feedback about the program, and discuss their interest in participation.  CVA may elect to make changes to the guidelines based on this feedback.

 

Recommendation 2: It is recommended that CVA establish a pilot project in order to test these guidelines and refine program elements so they best meet the goals of the PAIR program.

 

CVA will conduct an evaluation before and after the completion of the pilot project. 

 

After the pilot is completed, a self-evaluation form will be completed by the PAIR Project Committee, participating artist, participating community, and select citizens groups.  In addition to the form, CVA will meet with a smaller number of individuals from these groups to discuss their feedback in greater detail.  Based on these evaluations and discussions, CVA may elect to make changes to the guidelines based on the feedback.

 

Recommendation 3: It is recommended that CVA establish a Public Art In Residence Project Committee.

 

In order to assist and oversee the planning, selection, and implementation of residency projects, CVA will establish a Public Art In Residence Project Committee.  The purpose of the committee is to: (a) select the community and artists to participate in the project and (b) oversee and assist with the development and implementation of individual residency projects.  The committee will meet as needed and function independently of the Discovery Committee of Cary Visual Art, Inc.

 

The roles of the committee include:

           

1.             Evaluate applications submitted by communities and artists.

            2.             Assist with project development.

3.         Act as the sounding board to help the community and artist develop the scope of the project. 

4.            Help to implement the project if needed.

5.         Meet with the artist and community at milestones throughout the project to review the project’s process and product.

6.             Ensure that the project is well documented.

            7.              Create awareness of CVA and public art.

 

Recommendation 4: It is recommended that CVA develop an evaluation process for the program and individual projects.

 

CVA will contract with a professional evaluator to conduct an evaluation of the program and develop a template for the evaluation of individual PAIR projects.  The participating artist, participating community group, and select members of the PAIR Project Committee will be asked to evaluate the project and the PAIR program.  This feedback will be maintained by CVA in their archives, to be used for periodic evaluations of the PAIR program.

 

Recommendation 5:  It is recommended that CVA develop methods for program and project documentation to enhance CVA’s educational and outreach initiatives.

 

Because the artwork result of the PAIR program is flexible, and may include temporary projects, or “process” oriented projects, it is essential that the projects be documented for educational and CVA archive purposes as a strategy to increase community knowledge about CVA and public art.

 

Recommended documentation methods include:

 

a.       A formal report by CVA describing the project

b.      A statement by the artist and community describing the project

c.       Photographs and/or video of the project development process and the artwork result

d.      Samples of the artwork result (if applicable)

e.   Information about participants and degree of involvement

 

Recommendation 6: It is recommended that CVA develop appropriate and adequate Public Art In Residence program staffing.

 

CVA staff, utilizing outside consultants when necessary, will administer the Public Art In Residence program.  Program personnel shall have experience working closely with communities and artists.  Approximately 7-10 hours of staff or contractor time per week should be allotted for each residency project conducted annually.   CVA will have a dedicated staff member(s) or consultant(s) for the PAIR program, as determined by the number of projects initiated in one given period.

 

Recommendation 7:  It is recommended that CVA allocate appropriate funding for the Public Art In Residence program and individual projects.

 

Funding for individual residency projects will come from direct project grants and/or the CVA budget.  Funding for the Public Art In Residence program must be adequate to cover the artist’s design fee, the design development process, project fabrication/implementation, project documentation, publicity, public reception, and staffing. 

 

Based on research of other public art residency programs’ individual project budgets, CVA’s project budgets will range from $13,000 to $22,000.   This includes a budget of $5,000 to $7,000 for the proposal development and design phase of the project, and between $8,000 - $15,000 for project implementation.  Additional personnel expenses are estimated at $9,000 per project annually. 

 

Please refer to Exhibit D for a comparison of public art residency project budgets. 

 

ARTIST SELECTION

 

Recommendation 8: It is recommended that the process for artist selection involve a combination of methods including invitationals, regional calls, and developing a pre-qualified roster of artists. 

 

Initial projects should be conducted using an invitational or a regional call process in order to build awareness of the program amongst local artists, and to allow for the artist to be geographically close to the project site. 

 

It is suggested that CVA work towards developing a pre-qualified roster of artists for participation in the program.  In addition to being a resource for the residency program, the roster could be used as a resource for individual community groups and organizations who are seeking to work with artists on projects independent of the CVA program.

 

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

 

Recommendation 9: It is recommended that CVA encourage diverse participation in the program through a selection process that draws upon a Call for Community Participation, direct invitations, and groups defined by the participating artist.

 

As evidenced by other programs nationwide, having one of more core community groups that are self-defined helps to ensure a greater level of success and participation.  It is recommended that community participants be selected for the program through a Call for Community Participation. 

 

However, CVA should leave the possibility open for the selected artist to develop their own community to participate in the program or for CVA to invite participants.  CVA should encourage cross-community participation.

 

The first Call for Community Participation will convey that the groups are applying for a pilot project and that not all groups will be selected to participate in the program.  It will also state that all communities who apply will be put on a list for future calls and educational forums.

 

ARTWORK RESULT

 

Recommendation 10: It is recommended that artwork result gradually expand the general public’s understanding of the diverse forms of public art.

 

The first project should be easily accessible to the community at large geographically and aesthetically. As the program grows, individual projects would encourage participants and audiences to think about contemporary art issues, the role of artists in the community, and expand knowledge and appreciation of a wide range of artistic media and expressions. 

 

For the first project, the installation location should be prioritized based on the location’s high profile and accessibility.

 

 

V.             Program Guidelines and Procedures

 

Overview

 

The PAIR program will be the result of the combined efforts of CVA, the community, and artists.  CVA will develop a PAIR Project Committee to select communities and artists to participate in the program, and to participate in project development and implementation. The CVA Board will have final approval over the artist and community selected by the PAIR Project Committee.  The community and the artist will work together to develop and implement an artwork.  The projects will offer a wide range of artistic experiences and expressions, including temporary and permanent public art.  The projects will be well documented for community education purposes.

 

For a sample project timeline, see Exhibit A.

 

A.     Partner Responsibilities

It is recommended that CVA clearly outline the partnership responsibilities of CVA, the participating community, and the participating artist.  In order to ensure a successful program, the PAIR must be a team effort with CVA, the artist, and the community engaged as active and equal partners.  The following roles are recommended for each:

 

CVA:

1.      Develop and implement PAIR program and project guidelines and procedures to for the program and individual projects.

2.      Secure funding for the program and related project costs.

3.      Direct or refer artists and community members to resources needed to implement the project.

4.      Provide a staff person or consultant to oversee project coordination.

5.      Maintain an archive of PAIR project documentation.

6.      Create and provide information, resources, educational materials, events, and information forums about the PAIR program and projects.

7.      Evaluate the PAIR program and individual projects.

 

Community Participants:

 

1.      Participate in CVA’s PAIR program as outlined in the program guidelines and procedures.

2.      Commit to organizing a group of individuals to develop and implement a PAIR project.

3.      Identify one or two community members to work with the selected artist on logistical issues, such as arranging meetings, broadcasting information, etc.

4.      Provide or secure space where the artist and community can meet and work on the project’s implementation.

 

Artist:

 

1.      Participate in CVA’s PAIR program as outlined in the program guidelines and procedures.

2.      Commit to developing a process or project that engages the community in the development and implementation of a PAIR project.

3.      Develop visual and written materials to describe the proposed PAIR project, including a detailed project description and budget for CVA review.

4.      Meet with CVA and the community on a consistent, as needed basis in order to implement the PAIR project in a professional manner.

 

B. Committee Structure

 

The CVA Board will establish a Public Art In Residence Project Committee for each new project.  The purpose of the committee is to select the community and artist to participate in the project and oversee and assist with the development and implementation of individual residency projects.  The group will not be a standing committee, but will meet as needed for the particular project.  The roles of the committee will include:

           

1.             Evaluate applications submitted by communities and artists.

            2.             Assist with project development.

3.         Act as the sounding board to help the community and artist develop the scope of the project.  

4.             Help to implement the project, if needed.

5.         Meet with the artist and community at milestones throughout the project to review the project’s process and product.

6.             Ensure that the project is well documented.

            7.              Create awareness of CVA and public art.

 

The particular composition of the committee, including the voting members and advisors, shall be determined on a case by case basis.  Appointments to the Public Art Project Committee shall be made by the CVA President in consultation with the Executive Director.  It is suggested that the PAIR Project Committee be composed of voting members and non-voting advisors as follows: 

 

Voting Members:

1        A CVA Board Member

2        A community representative (if community group has been selected)

3        1-2 affiliate stakeholders such as a civic leader or social services professional

4        1-2 arts professionals.  One a Cary resident and the other a non-Cary resident.

5        A CVA staff person

6        A Cary Public Art employee

 

Advisors (to be called upon as needed):

7        A previous Cary Public Art Project participant

8        One staff person from the Town of Cary Planning Department

9        An ad hoc position to be left open for inviting someone else to come onto the committee later if deemed necessary or beneficial.

 

C. Artwork Result:

 

The artwork will involve the participation of an artist and the community in its conception and implementation.  A wide variety of artistic media and expressions are eligible, including, but not limited to, visual artwork, performing artworks, literary works, or ephemera from participatory or interactive projects.  The end result may be temporary or permanent.

 

The artwork result is intended to create excitement about future projects, community involvement in the arts, and public art in general.

 

It is recommended that there should not be any limitations on artistic media that would hinder creativity of a specific community.  In addition, projects whose focus is on the process of creation, rather than the creation of an object or product, as an end result of the project are eligible and encouraged by the PAIR program.

 

Location of the artwork result is open, developed by the artist and the community with approval by the Public Art In Residence Project Committee and the CVA Board of Directors.  Attention will be given to the program’s objective of integrating project exhibitions and placements into daily life.

 

Other desired results include good documentation of the project and process.  Educational results will include workshops focused on the process and a post project event that is open to the community at large.

 

D. Project Budgets: Overall Public Art In Residence program funding will be approved in the CVA budget process.  Funding for the planning and implementation of individual residency projects may be subject to committee review and Board approval.  Artists will be responsible for providing detailed project budgets that include: the artist’s fee; materials; needed equipment; fabrication; transportation; community or artist administrative costs, such as faxing, telephone, and postage, and artist travel costs for each project.

 

E. Length of Public Art In Residence: The length of the residency will be decided on a case-by-case basis.  The individual Public Art Project Committee will establish definitive timeline parameters in consultation with the artist and community participants.

 

Please review the Program Comparison Worksheet (Exhibit D) for sample residency periods.

 

F. Artist Selection Guidelines and Procedures:

 

1. Artist Eligibility

 

The following guidelines are established for artist eligibility:

 

1        The program is open to all professional artists, including but not limited to: visual, literary, performing, and multi-media artists. 

2        There are no geographic restrictions for eligibility, however, regional and local artists will be encouraged to apply.

3        Artist teams will be eligible to apply.

 

In addition, the following considerations will be made when reviewing artists for PAIR projects:

1        The artist should desire to work with a community as a natural extension of their creative practice.  The artists should have the ability and desire to communicate with a diverse range of people.

2        The artist must have a history of completing a similar project, or demonstrate experience of working with communities. 

3        The artist must demonstrate the ability to commit the needed time and have the ability to complete the project.

 

2. Artist Selection:  The artist will be chosen by the PAIR Project Committee.  In addition to reviewing application materials, the PAIR Project Committee will meet to review application materials, interview finalists and select an artist(s) to participate in the program.

 

3. Call for Artists: CVA may conduct an invitational or call for artists to participate in the PAIR project.  The artists will be asked to submit examples of their past work in slides, CD or video, a description of why they want to participate in the program, a description of past projects that involved community participation, a resume, and references.  The call may be sent locally, regionally, or nationally, defined on a project-by-project basis by the PAIR Project Committee.