BOARD/ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT DATE: February 14, 2017 TO: FROM: TOPIC: Chair and Members Committee of the Whole Operations and Administration Chair and Members Brantford Cultural Advisory Committee Public Art Reserve Fund Recommendation from Public Art Subcommittee for the Lawren Harris Movement Public Art Project RECOMMENDATION: A. THAT the Lawren Harris Movement Public Art Project BE ACCEPTED as a donation to the City s Public Art Collection in accordance with required City policies and procedures; and B. THAT the City of Brantford will negotiate a donation agreement with Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant for the successful work chosen after a jurying process. C. THAT the Lawren Harris Movement Public Art Project BE INCORPORATED in to the Brantford Public Library façade improvement project; and D. THAT up to $25,000 BE ALLOCATED to the Lawren Harris Movement Public Art Project from the Public Art Reserve Fund (RF0507) to be used for up to 50% of artwork production and installation costs; and E. THAT any remaining funds not required for these purposes BE TRANSFERRED back into the Public Art Reserve Fund upon project completion; and BACKGROUND: In late 2015, a group of volunteers and representatives from cultural organizations in Brantford, led by MPP Dave Levac, assembled to discuss how to raise the profile of culture in Branford. The Lawren Harris Movement Committee have been planning Lawren Harris Week in Brantford, a project aimed at raising awareness of the abundance of cultural assets in Brantford through the recognition and promotion of a deeper understanding of Brantford-born Harris role in Canadian art history. Lawren Harris Week in Brantford will include an awareness campaign, a week of themed activities, and a piece of public art.
February 14, 2017 Page 2 Lawren Harris Movement representatives met with City staff in the Economic Development and Tourism Department to discuss the appropriate procedures for submitting this proposal under the City of Brantford Public Arts Policy (CORPORATE- 035). Representatives from the Committee also met with staff in the Planning Department and the Brantford Public Library to discuss integrating the Public Art component into the Library s Main Branch façade improvement project planned for 2017. The Lawren Harris Movement Committee submitted a grant application in partnership with Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant to the Ontario 150 Community Celebrations program for $25,000 toward Lawren Harris Week in Brantford activities; the total project budget for the Public Art component is $45,000. This grant application was approved by the Provincial Government for the full amount of $25,000 on January 20, 2017. The role of the Public Art Subcommittee is to advise City Council on the implementation of the Public Art Policy through the Brantford Cultural Advisory Committee. Economic Development and Tourism Department staff coordinates the implementation of the Public Arts Policy. According to the Public Arts Policy, the City of Brantford may acquire Public Art through selection and purchase, commission, loan or donation. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Lawren Harris, as a driving force behind the Group of Seven and a descendent of Brantford s Massey-Harris family, had a goal similar to that of the Committee: to increase the Canadian public s interest in the arts. Lawren Harris Week in Brantford will include a week of activities with partner organizations, including a municipal declaration of Lawren Harris Day, a Paint-Club event, a Lawren Harris-themed play, a lecture at Glenhyrst Art Gallery, and a walking tour with the Brant Historical Society that features the childhood homes of Harris. It will culminate with a celebration event (refreshments, booths for cultural organizations to market events, build contact lists, and recruit volunteers) and the unveiling of a new piece of public art - a permanent piece of Public Art influenced by the impressionist Canadian landscape painting style of Harris. The project will include an educational component as part of the wider marketing campaign, to not only invite the public to participate in events, but to also provide more information about who Harris was and how his legacy continues. ANALYSIS: As per the approved Public Arts Policy, Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant and a Lawren Harris Movement representative submitted a project proposal to the City of Brantford on January 24, 2017. The proposal was reviewed for staff from the Planning, Economic
February 14, 2017 Page 3 Development & Tourism, Facilities and Asset Management, and Parks and Recreation Departments. The project was reviewed by the Brantford Public Library Planning Committee on July 6, 2016 for consideration. Members of the Lawren Harris Movement Committee will be presenting the project to the Brantford Public Library Board on February 16, 2017. The Public Art Reserve Fund (RF0507) was approved by Council during the 2012 budget process, and the criteria for expenditures from this fund were approved in May 2012 (CD2012-069). Under the Public Art Reserve Fund Criteria (Appendix A), recommendations to Council for funding new public art acquisitions or programs will be made by the Public Art Subcommittee via the Brantford Cultural Advisory Committee. Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant has obtained a grant for the other 50% of the project. The acquisition of artwork is an eligible expense under Category A of the approved Public Art Reserve Fund Criteria. The Public Art Subcommittee met on January 30, 2017 to review the proposal and passed the following resolution: A. THAT the Lawren Harris Movement Public Art Project BE ACCEPTED as a donation to the City s Public Art Collection in accordance with required City policies and procedures; and B. THAT the City of Brantford will negotiate a donation agreement with Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant for the successful work chosen after a jurying process. C. THAT the Lawren Harris Movement Public Art Project BE INCORPORATED in to the Brantford Public Library façade improvement project; and D. THAT up to $25,000 BE ALLOCATED to the Lawren Harris Movement Public Art Project from the Public Art Reserve Fund (RF0507) to be used for up to 50% of artwork production and installation costs; and E. THAT any remaining funds not required for these purposes BE TRANSFERRED back into the Public Art Reserve Fund upon project completion; and As per the Public Art Reserve Fund criteria and the Public Arts Policy, this recommendation was brought to Brantford Cultural Advisory Committee and endorsed at their meeting of February 8, 2017. The Public Art Subcommittee recommends that the project be approved at this time in order to allow for Brantford Public Library Façade Improvement Project and a juried competition for the Lawren Harris Movement Public Art Project proceed in a timely manner. However, the design and installation will be subject to final approval by the City
February 14, 2017 Page 4 of Brantford project manager following all appropriate City policies and procedures, and consultation with additional City Staff as required. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Approval of this request will result in the transfer of up to $25,000 from the Public Art Reserve Fund (RF0507) to the Lawren Harris Movement Public Art Project. There will be no net impact on the 2017 budget as a result of this request. The requested support from the City of Brantford Public Art Reserve Fund in the amount of $25,000 represents 50% of the total estimated project cost for the production and installation of the artwork. Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant has obtained a grant for the other 50% of the project. The Public Art Subcommittee has determined that the acquisition and installation of the artwork are considered eligible expenses under Category A of the approved Public Art Reserve Fund criteria, as the project is a new acquisition, and recommend the allocation of up to $25,000 to a maximum of 50% of project costs. The current balance of the Public Art Reserve Fund is $182,010. If the full $25,000 were to be allocated to this project, the amount remaining in the Reserve Fund would be $157,010. CORPORATE POLICY CONTEXT This recommendation directly supports the City s Public Arts Policy (CORPORATE-030) and the approved Municipal Cultural Plan Update (2014) by encouraging civic construction projects to include public art as a means of developing a distinct sense of place in the community. The project also aligns with the Downtown Streetscape Design Plan, which encourages partnerships that promote cultural activity, and emphasizes the value of public art in contributing to the overall success of a neighbourhood. CONCLUSION The Lawren Harris Week in Brantford Public Art Project provides a unique opportunity for a number of City Departments to work collaboratively with the Lawren Harris Movement in a way that integrates public art into facility improvements to further enhance the Brantford Public Library Facade Improvement Project. The Brantford Cultural Advisory Committee and Public Art Subcommittee recommend that this project be approved.
February 14, 2017 Page 5 Vernon Payne Chair, Brantford Cultural Advisory Committee Acting Chair, Public Art Subcommittee Attachments: Appendix A: City of Brantford Public Art Reserve Fund (RF0270) Criteria for Expenditure of Funds Appendix B: Lawren Harris Public Art Project Proposal Copy to: Paul Moore, General Manager, Community Development Kathryn Goodhue, Chief Executive Officer, Brantford Public Library Nicole Drake, Acting Director, Economic Development & Tourism Vicki Armitage, Manager, Parks Services, Parks & Recreation Jim Quin, Manager, Facilities, Facilities & Asset Management Danette Dalton, Policy Planner, Planning Sara Munroe, Arts & Culture Coordinator, Economic Development & Tourism
February 14, 2017 Page 6 Appendix A: City of Brantford Public Art Reserve Fund (RF0507) Criteria for Expenditure of Funds 1.0 PUBLIC ART RESERVE FUND 1.1 Municipal Budget Funding The City of Brantford recognizes the value of art in public places that reflects the diversity of our community, provides unique attractions for citizens and visitors, and strengthens community pride. Public Art celebrates our culture, history, people, events, and locations while enhancing our economic vibrancy. Brantford City Council, through its annual operating budget, provides an annual operating budget for the maintenance of the City s public art. Public art, as defined under the City of Brantford s Public Art Policy (2010) is art that is acquired by the City of Brantford and displayed in municipally owned public space. 1.2 Establishment of the Public Art Reserve Fund In addition, Brantford City Council has established the Public Art Reserve Fund (2012) in order to support the acquisition, expansion and maintenance of the City s Public Art Program. The Public Art Reserve Fund will be reviewed regularly. Additional allocation of funds may be requested through the City s annual budget process in order to meet specific public art maintenance requirements, acquire new public art for applicable capital projects, or support the ongoing success of the Public Art Program. 2.0 USE OF THE PUBLIC ART RESERVE FUND 2.1 Intent of the Public Art Reserve Fund The Public Art Reserve Fund is intended to support the ongoing enhancement and management of the City s Public Art Program, and to leverage additional private and public funding for Public Art Projects. 2.2 Eligible Project Criteria All new donations or acquisitions of Public Art will be reviewed by the Public Art Subcommittee of the Brantford Cultural Advisory Committee, as required by the City of Brantford s Public Art Policy. The City of Brantford may acquire Public Art through selection and purchase, commission, or donation. Eligible expenditures of Public Art Reserve Fund fall into three main categories: Category A: New acquisitions or capital projects Category B: Public education and promotion of the Public Art Program Category C: Maintenance and restoration of existing Public Art
February 14, 2017 Page 7 Eligible expenditures include, but are not limited to: the design, fabrication or installation of approved public art projects; costs associated with the art selection process; costs supporting the long-term maintenance of the collection; costs related to the promotion and marketing of the City s public art as part of a public awareness campaign or educational program run by the City; significant or unexpected maintenance or restoration of existing public art not covered by the annual operating budget for maintenance and repair; costs supporting the inclusion of public art in applicable capital projects, including parks, gardens, publicly accessible municipal buildings, and other structures. Ineligible expenditures include, but are not limited to: Capital projects that do not meet the definition of Public Art as identified in the Public Art Policy; Art installations that are privately owned or are not located on municipally owned property; Property purchases for future public use, including real estate expenses; Regular and incidental maintenance that is part of the expected City of Brantford operating budget. 2.3 Level of Funding Projects in Category A & B: New Public Art Installations & Programs The Public Art Reserve Fund may supply up to 50% of the total project budget for the public art component, including for new capital projects or new public art programs. It is the intent of the program that the City s contribution to these projects will be used to leverage additional private or public sector support, including support of senior levels of government. Recommendations to Council for funding projects in Categories A & B will be made by the Public Art Subcommittee via the Brantford Cultural Advisory Committee upon conditional approval of the public art component. These recommendations will be made following consultation with the interdepartmental staff technical committee assigned to new Public Art Projects, as per the approved Public Art Policy, and will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Projects in Category C: Maintenance & Restoration The Public Art Reserve Fund may supply up to 100% of the total project budget for the maintenance or restoration of existing public art, in order to maintain the integrity of the City s Public Art collection. Recommendations to Council for funding projects in Category C will be made by Economic Development & Tourism Department staff, in consultation with other municipal departments as required.
February 14, 2017 Page 8 2.4 Donations to the Public Art Reserve Fund If a donation of Public Art is accepted by the City, the donor will make a donation to the Public Art Reserve Fund in order to ensure the ongoing maintenance of the acquired artwork. The amount of this donation shall be negotiated during the donation process and identified in the Memorandum of Agreement signed by both parties. The amount shall reflect the anticipated maintenance requirements of the artwork and shall not exceed 10% of the total project budget, including installation. 2.5 Administration of the Public Art Reserve Fund The use of the Public Art Reserve Fund will be administered by Economic Development & Tourism Department staff. Review of Public Art proposals and recommendations will be administered jointly by the Public Art Subcommittee of the Brantford Cultural Advisory Committee and a Municipal Staff Technical Committee as prescribed by the Public Art Policy. All expenditures from the fund must be approved by Council on a case by case basis, including funding for capital projects, acquisitions, maintenance or administration.
February 14, 2017 Page 9 Appendix B: Lawren Harris Public Art Project Proposal to the Public Art Subcommittee Jan 30, 2017
February 14, 2017 Page 10 Who We Are A group of volunteers and cultural organization staff, the Lawren Harris Committee, are working together to create a Lawren Harris Week with local celebrations annually, and a legacy piece of public art in the downtown core to enhance the downtown and contribute to the ongoing revitalization. Brantford is the hometown of Alexander Graham Bell and Wayne Gretzky. It is also the CMA that is ranked the highest for its Canadian pride: 98% of Brantford residents are proud to be Canadian (StatsCan, 2015). Unfortunately, it is not as widely recognized as a vibrant community that is rich in cultural resources, and many Brantford residents are unaware of the people who have shaped our Canadian culture, specifically the man responsible for the formation of the infamous Group of Seven - Lawren S. Harris. Lawren Harris Week in Brantford is a project aimed at raising the profile of the abundance of cultural assets in Brantford, through the recognition of, and promoting a deeper understanding of, Harris' role in Canadian art history. Harris, as the driving force behind the Group of Seven, had a goal similar to our Committee: to increase the Canadian public's interest in the arts. The Overall Project Lawren Harris Week in Brantford will include a week of activities with partner organizations, including: a municipal declaration of Lawren Harris Day, a Paint-Club event, a lecture at Glenhyrst Art Gallery, and a walking tour with the Brant Historical Society that features the childhood homes of Harris. It will culminate with a celebration event (refreshments, booths for cultural organizations to market events, build contact lists, and recruit volunteers) and the unveiling of a new piece of public art an artwork influenced by the impressionist Canadian landscape painting style of Harris. The project will include an educational component as part of the wider marketing campaign, to not only invite the public to participate in events, but to also provide more information about who Harris was and how his legacy continues. As a lead partner Glenhyrst Art Gallery has undertaken the applications for several grants and will be overseeing the budget and project management in conjunction with the City of Brantford. Public Art Piece - Location In coordination with the City of Brantford a location was chosen for the site of a Lawren Harris public art piece. The proposed location is the small parkette adjacent to the Brantford Public Library. There are a number of city initiatives underway to beautify this area as well as create a more public space that can be use in the future for programming and other community events. One of the projects includes the large scale renovation of the library s main entrance area. We are working with the Brantford Public Library and City of Brantford to ensure that our timelines run parallel to that project, so that the unveiling of the new renovation and public art piece can be done at the same time. The high traffic rates for the library and visibility by both pedestrian and vehicular traffic, make it a desirable location for maximum viewership, and it proximity to the library lends itself well to the cultural aspects of that space. The Budget There are several steps involved in moving forward with this project, and the most difficult being securing funding. Please find below the proposed budget and expenses.
February 14, 2017 Page 11 Funding: REVENUES Ontario 150 $25,000 Brant Community Foundation $2,500 The Crew Real Estate/Murky Productions $2,500 Public Art Reserve Fund (proposed) $20,900 Other funding $100 Total project funding $51,000 EXPENSES Advertising and Promotion $2,500 Printing $500 Event Supplies $3,000 Public Art Artist Fees and installation $45,000 Total project funding $51,000 The intention is that a Request for Proposal for Artist Submissions will be issued by Glenhyrst Art Gallery (the Lead Member on the project) as soon as final approvals are made. A jury consisting of members from Glenhyrst, the Lawren Harris Committee, the Library Board, the City of Brantford, and the Public Arts Subcommittee will decide which artist and work will be awarded the commission. Project Beneficiaries Lawren Harris Week in Brantford will reach the community of Brantford at large with the events being held at various locations. Long term, the community will benefit from the public art piece, which will remain in a visible location in the downtown for many years to come as well as annual events surrounding October 23 (Lawren Harris' birthday). Several of the educational components of the program are focused at school-aged children to encourage learning and awareness of this local cultural icon. As mentioned Brantford is the hometown of Alexander Graham Bell and Wayne Gretzky and was ranked the highest for its Canadian pride: 98% of Brantford residents are proud to be Canadian, and Harris' role in the formation of the Group of Seven gives them another reason to be proud of both their Canadian and local Brantford identity (StatsCan, 2015). Project Partners Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant - project lead City of Brantford - Marketing and promotion, project management, facility management Octopus Red - Marketing, design, web development, and promotion, and project team members Brant Historical Society - on project team and event participant Office of MPP Dave Levac - assistance with Lawren Harris Day inauguration (provincial and national) and event planning The Crawford Collective - on project team and event participant Paint-Club - event participant
February 14, 2017 Page 12 Local theatre companies and local artists - on project team and participating in community events Public Art Subcommittee - public art project guidance and funding support Brantford Cultural Advisory Committee - project support Brant Community Foundation Project Sponsor The Crew Real Estate Project Sponsor Murky Productions Project Sponsor Ontario 150 Project Sponsor Ownership The Lawren Harris Public Art piece would be a permanent work of art owned by the City of Brantford and displayed in a municipally-owned publicly-accessible location. As Glenhyrst is the lead sponsor on this project, a Donation Agreement would be put in place to donate the artwork to the City of Brantford once it is complete. Design Requirements The dimensions of the proposed commission can be a maximum of 20 wide (see Figure 1). The proposed construction materials and appearance will be dictated by the artists rendering, and we will be working closely with the City of Brantford staff and engineering to ensure that all proposals meet the necessary installation requirements. Cost of installation will be the responsibility of the artist as outlined in the RFP proposal. Maintenance As part of the city s Public Art Collection, we recommend that maintenance be done through the Economic Development and Tourism Department s annual monument maintenance budget. The RFP will have a weighting system, which awards points to submissions that require as little upkeep as possible, and that use materials that are meant for an outdoor, high-traffic location. Timeline Public Art Sub-Committee meeting January 30 at noon Brantford Public Library Board of Director meeting February 16 at 4:30 pm Brantford Cultural Advisory Committee Meeting March 2017 City of Brantford City Council late March 2017 Release of RFP Early April 2017 Deadline for RFP Mid- May Awarding of RFP- Early June Work completed off site of Artwork June, July, August, Sept, Oct Installation late October Unveiling of Public Art piece Late October
February 14, 2017 Page 13 Figure 1: Artwork Location