DATE:
July 5, 2022
TO:
Christine Daniel, City Manager
FROM:
Charles S. Bryant, Community Development Director
SUBJECT:
Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Emeryville Adopting The Community Grant Subcommittee And Public Art Committee Recommendations To Select Artists Juan Lopez, The Los Pobres Artistas, Steven Bronson, And Therese Lahaie As The Recipients For The 2022-2023 Visual Art Grant Pilot Program; Approving The Artworks Proposed By The Recipients; And Authorizing The City Manager To Execute Grant Recipient Contracts With The Recipients’ Fiscal Agents For The Installation Of The Proposed Artworks
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the above-entitled resolution adopting the recommendation of the Community Grant Subcommittee and Public Art Committee to select Juan Lopez, the Los Pobres Artistas, Steven Bronson, and Therese Lahaie as recipients of 2022-2023 Visual Arts Grants; approving the artworks proposed by the recipients as represented in their applications for Visual Arts Grants Program funding; and authorizing the City Manager to execute Grant Recipient Contracts with the recipients’ fiscal agents for the installation of the proposed artworks.
BACKGROUND
The Community Promotions Grant Program (“CPGP”) established in 1996, has awarded grants to non-profit organizations for community events and activities, including some that included “visual arts” installations. Projects awarded funds through the CPGP have included visual art installations such as a mosaic at the Emeryville Center of Community Life (“ECCL”) and an artist-designed cistern at the Big Daddy Community Garden. Prior applications to the CPGP have included the installation of murals, which raised questions regarding the role of the Public Art Committee (“PAC”) in the review of murals that receive City funding, and the interplay between the Public Art Mural Program and the CPGP. The PAC has purview over all City-sponsored public art pursuant to Section 18.13 of the Art in Public Places (“AiPP”) Policy and Procedure adopted by City Council Resolution No. 90-115 on December 18, 1990. The City Council accordingly approved Resolution No. 22-26 establishing a Visual Art Grants Pilot Program on March 1, 2022. This program provides AiPP funds to augment the CPGP, thereby creating a mechanism for the PAC’s review of applications for visual arts proposals for funding.
DISCUSSION
A call for applications for the Visual Arts Grants Pilot Program was released on March 15, 2022, with applications due by May 2, 2022. Four applications (Attachment 1) were received representing geographic distribution across the City and a variety of media types, as follows:
Artist Juan Lopez, through fiscal agent Oakland Public Education Fund, proposes a wetland-themed mosaic backsplash at the Emery High School second floor water fountain (ECCL, 1100 47th Street). This artwork is the fourth in a series, and this application requests $10,000.
The Los Pobres Artistas, through fiscal agent Bay Area Mural Project, proposes a mural on the US Spring Building at Adeline Street and West MacArthur Boulevard (3637 Adeline Street) celebrating migration and featuring the Ohlone people. The mural is proposed to be part of a community process and mural festival in 2022 in Emeryville and North Oakland. This application requests $9,950.
Artist Steven Bronson, through fiscal agent Emeryville Celebration of the Arts, proposes a portrait of a firefighter and fire engine, as the first in a series of front-line heroes. This artwork is configured as a 62” by 70” panel to be attached to the south elevation of Fire Station #35 (6303 Hollis Street) and would potentially be removed on a temporary basis for shows displaying the series. This application requests $10,000.
Artist Therese Lahaie, through fiscal agent Emeryville Celebration of the Arts, proposes a shadow of a bird cast by a mirror across Haruff Street on the north elevation of the building located at 5745 Peladeau Street. The initial installation is proposed to be in place for one year, with additional mirrors for the creation of a “flock” as a potential future phase if the property owner agrees to extend and/or expand the initial installation. This application requests $10,000.
On May 10, 2022, a selection committee comprised of Patricia Perasso Weber and Yasser Alwan of the Parks and Recreation Committee, and Emily McPartlon and Vickie Jo Sowell of the PAC, reviewed the applications, heard presentation from the applicants, asked applicants questions, and recommended award of grants to all four applicants. Staff from both the Community Development and Community Services Departments supported the selection committee’s deliberations. On June 9, 2022, the PAC reviewed the applications and recommended that the City Council award grants to all four applicants.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total amount of funds recommended for award is $39,950. The Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Operating Budget includes $50,000 for the Visual Arts Grant Pilot Program from the Public Art Fund (Fund 243, account 87300).
STAFF COMMUNICATION WITH THE PUBLIC
The PAC has discussed the Visual Arts Grants Pilot Program on several occasions, culminating in the PAC’s recommendation of approval of Juan Lopez, the Los Pobres Artistas, Steven Bronson, and Therese Lahaie, as awardees for Visual Arts Grants for 2022-2023 on June 9, 2022, as noted above.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution approving the selection of Juan Lopez, the Los Pobres Artistas, Steven Bronson, and Therese Lahaie as recipients of the 2022-2023 Visual Arts Grants; approving the artworks as proposed by the recipients in their applications to the Visual Arts Grant Pilot Program; and authorizing the City Manager to execute Grant Recipient Agreements with the recipients’ fiscal agents for the installation of the proposed artworks.
PREPARED BY: Amber Evans, Community and Economic Development Coordinator II REVIEWED BY: Chadrick Smalley, Economic Development and Housing Manager
APPROVED AND FORWARDED TO THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EMERYVILLE:
Christine Daniels, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
Draft Resolution, including Exhibit A - Grant Applications Visual Arts Grant Pilot Program Awards
City Council Meeting | July 5, 2022
City of Emeryville
CALIFORNIA
MEMORANDUM