Report to: Development Services                                            Report Date: November 6, 2007

 

 

SUBJECT:                          Proposed Winter Environmental Art Event for 2008

PREPARED BY:               Linda A. Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Development

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report to Development Service Committee dated November 6, 2007 entitled “Proposed Winter Environmental Art Event for 2008” be received;

 

THAT staff and the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee undertake a “Winter Environmental Art Event” in February 2008 at Toogood Pond;

 

AND THAT funding to a maximum of $20,000 be provided from Planning and Urban Design’s Capital Account #56-5350-5293-005, “Town Wide Public Art” for all costs associated with administering and implementing the “Winter Environmental Art Event”;

 

AND THAT staff provide regular updates to Development Services Committee on the status of the 2008 Winter Environmental Art Event.

 

AND FURTHER THAT staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

 

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Not applicable

1. Purpose                     2. Background                      3. Discussion                        4. Financial        

 

5. Others (Environmental, Accessibility, Engage 21st, Affected Units)             6. Attachment(s)

 

 

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to seek Council’s authorization to permit staff and Markham’s Public Art Advisory Committee (MPAAC) to undertake a “Winter Environmental Art Event” at Toogood Pond in February 2008.

 

 

BACKGROUND:

In order to support Markham’s 2005 and 2006 Communities in Bloom programs, Council approved an “Environmental Art Event” in 2005 and 2006. In each of these two years, Markham’s Public Art Advisory Committee invited environmental artists to create unique works of art in parks in Unionville, Thornhill, Markham Village and Milliken Mills. Each artist created an installation that fit the specific nature of the chosen site. These temporary art works featured the use of stone, sound, music, wood, metal, multi-media, performance, and paint.

 

These events were very successful and received much public acclaim including significant local media attention. Similarly the Community in Bloom judges were very impressed with this unique initiative and were able to view many of the installations.

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

For 2008, staff and the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee (MPAAC) would like to undertake another “Environmental Art Event”. This year the MPAAC would like to focus on a winter event to showcase a range of temporary public art installations that are unique to winter including ice sculptures, snow installations, ice dance, and ice “painting” on the frozen surface of Toogood Pond. The Committee has identified February 17 and 18 as the primary event dates. However, the temporary installations will remain as long as the cold weather permits. 

 

Funding to a maximum of $20,000 is requested to undertake an invited “Winter Environmental Art Event” and to cover all costs associated with administering and implementing the event.

 

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE: (external link)

Staff recommend that funding to a maximum of $20,000 be provided from Planning and Urban Design’s Capital Account #56-5350-5293-005, “Town Wide Public Art” to undertake an invited “Winter Environmental Art Event” in the winter of 2008. Currently, $37,235 remains uncommitted in this account.

 

Currrent Budget:                                               $37,235 (#56-5350-5293-005)

2008 Environmental Art Event              -$20,000

Budget Remaining:                                            $17,235          

 

The majority of the funds approved will go towards artist fees for the design, installation and dismantling of each art piece. Fees have typically ranged between $4,000 and $5,000 per artist in past years. A portion of the budget will provide for preparation of a brochure and for advertising. The remaining funds in the account ($17,235) will be carried forward for a future art program.

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

 

 

 

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

 

 

 

ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:

This initiative supports Engage 21st Century goals as they relate to culture and tourism.

 

 

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

The Director of the Varley Art Gallery and the Town’s Events Coordinator in Strategic Services has been consulted. Parks Operations will be consulted on the logistics once the program has been finalized.

 

 

RECOMMENDED

                            BY:    ________________________          ________________________

                                      Valerie Shuttleworth, Director             Jim Baird, Commissioner

                                      Planning and Urban Design                 Development Services

 

 

 

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