CCS:900-30\js\H:\COMMON\Council\2024\111924 Art in Public Places Policy.docx
4 4
3 8
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
THOUSAND OAKS ESTABLISHING AND ADOPTING AN ART
IN PUBLIC PLACES POLICY
WHEREAS, on December 5, 2023, City Council adopted an Arts and Culture Element as a component of the City’s updated General Plan; and WHEREAS, the Arts and Culture Element prescribes a variety of goals, including Goal AC-3.1 to “Adopt a City Public Art Ordinance to develop a City public art program that creates permanent and temporary art works in locations and places throughout the City”; and
WHEREAS, on April 23, 2024, City Council established the citywide Priorities for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25, which include Priority number 9 of 10, to “identify operational synergies and short- and long-term fiscal strategies to further enhance library experiences and cultural arts programs in Thousand Oaks”; and WHEREAS, on April 23, 2024, City Council established the city-wide Goals for FY 2024-25, which includes Council Goal G: “Continue City’s commitment to community and cultural programs and services (such as Performing Arts/Theatres, Libraries, TOTV, Visual Arts, Youth and Senior Programs)”; and WHEREAS, the City desires to establish an Art in Public Places Policy for the City of Thousand Oaks, to foster a vibrant, culturally-rich environment by integrating diverse, high-quality public art into public spaces.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Thousand Oaks does resolve as follows:
ATTACHMENT #1
CCS:900-30\js\H:\COMMON\Council\2024\111924 Art in Public Places Policy.docx
4 4
3 8
City Council hereby establishes a formal Art in Public Places Policy (Exhibit A), which shall be administered through the Cultural and Community Services (CCS) Department. This policy applies to all art installations in shared and publicly accessible spaces, including but not limited to utility box wraps, murals, sculptures, and other artistic media.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 19th day of November, 2024, by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
______________________________
Al Adam, Mayor
City of Thousand Oaks, California
ATTEST/CERTIFY:
________________________________
Laura B. Maguire, City Clerk
Date Attested: ___________________
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Office of the City Attorney
________________________________
Tracy Friedl, Assistant City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO ADMINISTRATION:
________________________________
Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
The presence of electronic signature certifies that the foregoing is a true and correct copy as approved by the City of Thousand Oaks City Council on the date cited above.
CCS:900-30\js\H:\COMMON\Council\2024\111924 Art in Public Places Policy.docx
4 4
3 8
EXHIBIT A
Art in Public Places Policy for the City of Thousand Oaks Purpose:
The Art in Public Places Policy for the City of Thousand Oaks intends to foster a vibrant, culturally-rich environment by integrating diverse, high-quality public art into public spaces. This policy shall be administered through the Cultural and Community Services (CCS) Department and outlines the criteria and processes for soliciting, selecting, commissioning, maintaining, and removing public art.
Scope:
This policy applies to all art installations in shared and publicly accessible places, including but not limited to utility box wraps, murals, sculptures, and other artistic media. Proposals for art works will only be accepted during specific times, following a solicitation by CCS, or during consideration of a development/redevelopment project with art included for public benefit. This policy shall be administered with consideration of adopted City goals and priorities and shall be consistent with the Arts and Culture Element of the City’s updated General Plan. All works shall be deemed temporary. Some may be selected and displayed for pre-determined periods of time as curated exhibits. This policy does not apply to staff-curated, temporary exhibitions for a duration of three months or less.
Objectives:
1. Enhance the aesthetic quality of public spaces.
2. Reflect the cultural and artistic diversity of the community.
3. Engage and inspire residents and visitors.
4. Support local artists and promote artistic expression.
5. Ensure transparency and equity through a defined selection process.
Solicitation:
CCS will publish a “Call for Artists” seeking submissions for specifically identified projects once a decision has been made to pursue public art. These open calls may be coordinated through a mix of communications channels, including: email, website postings, social media postings, and/or publication advertisement.
Property owners or facility managers seeking to install art for public benefit on their properties may propose projects to the City outside of the solicitation process.
Unsolicited proposals will be rejected and returned to the artist, with an opportunity to join the distribution list for notification of future solicitations. During consideration of development projects which include elements of art for public benefit, works will be evaluated through the same review process and included in recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council.
CCS:900-30\js\H:\COMMON\Council\2024\111924 Art in Public Places Policy.docx
4 4
3 8
Review:
Public Art will be selected based on the following criteria:
1. Artistic Merit and vision of body of work: Evaluation of the artist’s proven ability to create work that generates positive community impact and enhances the experience of public spaces as well as the creativity, originality, and quality of the proposed artwork.
2. Relevance: The artwork should reflect the culture, identity, and, where appropriate, the history of the community. Proposals should align with the theme, vision, and/or preferred medium outlined in the initial solicitation.
3. Public Engagement: Potential to engage and resonate with the public, encouraging community interaction.
4. Feasibility: Assessment of the project’s technical requirements, including installation, maintenance, cost, and durability.
5. Site Considerations: Relationship of artwork to existing or proposed architectural and natural features and urban design. Proposals should show a sensitivity to the site.
6. Safety and Accessibility: Compliance with safety standards and accessibility for all community members
7. Diversity: Promotion of a diverse range of artistic expressions and inclusion of under-represented voices.
8. Environmental Considerations: Minimal environmental impact and sustainability of materials used.
Selection Process:
1. Administrative Review: City staff will review the submissions to ensure that proposed art works are appropriate for inclusion in the Public Art Process and do not contain profanity or sexually explicit content. Additionally, art works located on public property may not promote explicitly religious or political ideology.
2. Panel Review: A selection panel comprising art professionals, community representatives, and City staff will review qualifying submissions based on the selection criteria listed above. A Public Art Coordinator will be assigned by the CCS department. This coordinator will establish a panel featuring a mix of professional artists, representatives of arts organizations, neighborhood or association members, and/or nonprofit or business representatives.
3. Public Consultation: Opportunities will be given for public input and feedback on selected proposals.
4. Final Selection: The selection panel will consider public feedback along with alignment of proposals with policy objectives, the Arts and Culture Element of the General Plan, and City’s adopted Goals and Priorities.
5. Recommendations: The selection panel will make recommendations to City Council for approval.
CCS:900-30\js\H:\COMMON\Council\2024\111924 Art in Public Places Policy.docx
4 4
3 8
Implementation and Maintenance:
1. Contracts: City staff will execute formal agreements with selected artists, developers, and/or property owners: outlining all material terms, including but not limited to, the scope of work, timelines, limitations of liability, insurance requirements, maintenance, removal and compensation.
2. Installation: Coordination with City departments and stakeholders to ensure proper installation.
3. Maintenance: City will provide basic ongoing maintenance and conservation efforts to preserve the integrity of the artwork. City staff will consult with the artist if repairs are needed. Should artwork become damaged or defaced beyond repair, City may decommission and remove the piece at City’s expense, with no further obligation to the artist.
4. Duration: No artwork shall be considered permanent or agreed-to in perpetuity. All selected works will be deemed to be temporary, some for a pre-defined duration with early termination allowances due to disrepair, damage, vandalism, or public benefit.
5. Evaluation: City will engage in periodic evaluation of the Art in Public Places program to assess its impacts and identify areas of improvement.
Funding:
1. City Budget: Allocation of funds from the City’s General Fund budget for public art projects.
2. Grants and Donations: Grants and donations from private and public entities to support the Art in Public Places program will be accepted.
3. Development Funds: New development or significant redevelopment of commercial or industrial sectors shall include a component of public art or the developer may contribute an in-lieu fee to the Art in Public Places program.
4. Partnerships: Collaboration with local businesses, nonprofits, and community groups to co-fund and sponsor public art initiatives.
Conclusion:
In furtherance of Goal AC-3 of the General Plan’s Arts and Culture Element, this Art in Public Places Policy for the City of Thousand Oaks reflects the City’s commitment to enhancing the cultural and aesthetic environment of the community. By establishing clear and transparent criteria for selection, the City strives to create a dynamic and inclusive Art in Public Places Program that benefits all residents and visitors, while providing opportunities to showcase and celebrate the artistic talents of the community.