DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
	TO:	Mayor and Members of Council
	FROM:	Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning and Urban Design
	PREPARED BY:	Linda A. Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Development
	DATE OF MEETING:	2003-Oct-14
	SUBJECT:	Public Art Policy Framework

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report to Development Services Committee entitled “Public Art Policy Framework”, dated October 14, 2003, be received;

THAT the “Public Art Policy Framework” attached as Appendix A, be endorsed as a general framework and process for making decisions about the placing of art on municipal lands as well as a guideline for the future development of specific public art policies;

THAT the Town Clerk proceed with the establishment of a “Public Art Advisory Committee” having the roles and responsibilities as outlined in the “Public Art Policy Framework” document;

AND THAT, following establishment of the Public Art Advisory Committee, staff report back on the next steps necessary to implement the public art policy framework including staffing assignments, identifying priority policy areas that need further development, as well as an appropriate implementation strategy, work plan and schedule;

AND FURTHER THAT the “Public Art Advisory Committee”, in association with staff, review and report back on how best to spend the $100,000.00 that has been allocated in the 2003 Capital budget for Public Art within the Town of Markham.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to seek Council endorsement of the “Public Art Policy Framework”, authorize staff to establish a resident-based “Public Art Advisory Committee, and direct staff to report back on the next steps necessary to implement the public art policy framework including staffing, identifying priority policy areas that need further development, as well as an appropriate implementation strategy, work plan and schedule.

BACKGROUND:

Jane Perdue, who holds the position of Public Art Coordinator for the City of Toronto, was hired as a consultant by the Town of Markham to prepare a public art policy to provide policy direction for public art initiatives on public and private lands within the Town. The policy study was also to recommend a specific process for review of proposals to place monuments, art works or other display objects on Town-owned lands. A Public Art Policy Steering Committee comprised of members of Council and Town staff has been overseeing the development of the public art policy. Until Council approves this policy, all requests by individuals, groups or organizations, for permission to place works of art on publicly owned lands, have been deferred.

On March 27, 2002, the first public information meeting on Markham’s proposed public art policy was held at the Civic Centre. Those attending spoke passionately on the subject of public art and provided excellent input into the proposed framework, which was presented at the meeting.

At the sixth meeting of the Public Art Policy Steering Committee on November 18, 2002, the Steering Committee agreed that a second public information meeting should be held with interested individuals and groups prior to finalization of the policy. They requested that an announcement be placed on the Markham Page to advertize the meeting and that a synopsis of the document be made available in advance of the meeting on the Town’s Website. It was also recommended that copies of the document be forwarded to interested stakeholders, in advance of the meeting.

On January 8, 2003, a preliminary draft of the “Public Art Policy Framework”, dated November 2002, incorporating comments from the public information meeting and from members of the Public Art Policy Steering Committee, was circulated to the Mayor, Members of Council, members of the Public Art Policy Steering Committee for review and comment. Comments were received, reviewed by the consultant, and incorporated, as appropriate, into the attached document. In addition, graphic images and photographs have been incorporated into this document.

In May 2003, based on recommendations by staff and the Public Art Steering Committee, Council authorized staff to hold a final public information meeting in order to receive resident and community input on the proposed “Public Art Policy Framework” and directed staff, following the public meeting, to report back with the final draft of the “Public Art Policy Framework” for approval by Council. Council also reconfirmed that the use of the $100,000.00 which was allocated in the 2003 Capital Budget process be determined in the context of the public art policy, once adopted.

On May 20, 2003, the final public meeting was held in the Council Chambers. The proposed “Public Art Policy Framework” was well received. Members of the Board of Directors of the Varley Art Gallery were in attendance to support the policy framework and to articulate how they saw the future role of the Gallery in Markham’s public art initiatives.

Comments from this final public meeting were received, reviewed by the consultant, and incorporated, as appropriate, into the attached document which is the final version of the “Public Art Policy Framework”.

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:

Establishment of a Public Art Advisory Committee:

The “Public Art Policy Framework” recommends, as a first step, the establishment of a “Public Art Advisory Committee”. This committee would be a volunteer, resident-based committee that would provide advice to Council on all public art donations proposed for Town-owned lands, serve as a resource to staff in reviewing public art proposals and developing a public art plan, and to provide advice to the private sector on any public art project in which the Town has an interest. Consequently, staff seek authorization to proceed immediately with the establishment of a “Public Art Advisory Committee” as outlined in the “Public Art Policy Framework” document.

Administration of Markham’s Public Art Policy and Program:

The “Public Art Policy Framework” recommends that municipal staff be assigned to administer and oversee the Public Art Program including coordinating and preparing a Municipal Public Art Plan, administering and assisting the Public Art Advisory Committee and identifying and coordinating capital budget opportunities. As well, a decision has to be made regarding where this staff function and responsibility best resides. Consequently, staff recommend that we report back to Development Services Committee with recommendations as to who within the Town of Markham should be permanently responsible for managing Markham’s Public Art Program and Policy.

Further Public Art Policy Development

The “Public Art Policy Framework” is intended as a general framework and process for making decisions about the placing of art on municipal lands as well as a guideline for the future development of specific public art policies. After finalizing the position of Public Art Coordinator and establishing the Public Art Advisory Committee, staff will report back on the next steps necessary to implement the public art policy framework including identifying priority policy areas that need further development, as well as an appropriate implementation strategy, work plan and schedule.

Initial Financial Commitment to Public Art:

During the development of this “Public Art Policy Framework”, Council confirmed that the use of the $100,000.00, which was allocated in the 2003 Capital Budget process, be determined in the context of the public art policy, once adopted. Following the adoption of this policy framework, staff recommend that the “Public Art Advisory Committee”, in association with the Interim Public Art Coordinator, make recommendations and report back to Development Services Committee on how best to spend these funds in 2004.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

None at this time.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Staff from Planning and Urban Design, Parks Maintenance, and the Varley Art Gallery, as well as the members of the Public Art Policy Steering Committee, have all provided their comments through out the development of this Public Art Policy Framework. Comments were received, reviewed by the consultant, and incorporated, as appropriate, into earlier drafts as well as the final document.

ATTACHMENTS:

Appendix A: Public Art Policy Framework, September 2003, by Jane Perdue, Public Art Consultant

Valerie Shuttleworth, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Director, Planning and Urban Design

Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Commissioner of Development Services

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