R2016-42 AUTHORIZING MUNICIPAL DISPLAYS OF PUBLIC ART

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DEVELOPMENT SERVICES MEMORANDUM April 18, 2016 TO: Honorable Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe and City Council FROM: Tim Gleason, City Manager Billy Tyus,Assistant City Manager for Development Services Patrick Hoban, Economic Development Officer SUBJECT: City Public Art Displays SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Decatur City Council support the attached resolution in support of municipal public art displays. BACKGROUND: There is a public interest to be served by public art displays in that it can make art more accessible to individuals that might not otherwise be able to experience it, can attract visitors and make living and working spaces more desirable. Similar to what most would agree has been a successful downtown streetscape project, the city's beautification of local spaces through art and other means can encourage the kind of future growth that we all are looking to develop and have seen as a result of the streetscape project. The City has experience with public art enhancements in the downtown area, including the local Looking for Lincoln Bah Relief sculptures and Preston Jackson's "From the Cottonfield to the Battlefield,"the artist's tribute to African American Civil War soldiers. As you may know, displays on public right of ways must represent the speech of the municipality itself so the public art projects would represent City projects but we would work closely with local organizations such as the Decatur Area Arts Council and the artist community on outreach which could generate public support and significant public interest. POTENTIAL OBJECTIONS: None INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES: The Decatur Area Arts Council, Decatur Blueprint STAFF REFERENCE: Billy Tyus at 217-424-2727 or btyus(a�decaturil.gov or Patrick Hoban at 217-424-2778 or phoban(a),decaturil.gov. BUDGET/TIME IMPLICATIONS: Minimal