Document text
--> --> July 25: Funding is the key to public art By Amy Richard I feel the need to climb on my public art horse again and say let's keep talking about public art. I was spurred by Myles Murphy's recent article regarding the work of a public art study group to develop a policy for Ashland and comments by community members about the problems that such a policy might present. Funding is clearly the big problem, and there seem to be fears that the art group will demand certain percentages and sums from developers and the city. I don't believe that the art group ever planned to ask 1 percent of any development costs to go to public art. Rather, the group would like to find multiple and alternative ways to increase public art and how to fund it. For example, take the development plan for the area across the railroad tracks from A Street. Maybe the developer, with the help of the public art group, issues a call to artists for ideas to enhance a public park area or the pedestrian area. He or she looks at a number of ideas. One is particularly intriguing. It is presented to the public, and some members of the community commission a portion of the art design. Maybe they even get a plaque that names them. Perhaps another project within a development is a memorial commissioned by family and friends. Another option might be that a project utilizes work by students and professional artists, and the project is funded in part by city and private grants and individuals. I firmly believe that if developers, architects and artists put their heads together on projects, numerous innovative ideas for art and for funding could be generated. There seem to be plenty of potential sites for art and enhancements, in addition to area mentioned above, that might warrant such discussions - space around the Ashland Community Food Store's new addition, along the creek across from Calle Guanajuato, the new fire station and between the new market on A Street and the hardware store. Finding the funds will be a tough job, particularly with investment portfolios dwindling to slivers of their former selves. The good news is that people, foundations and corporations continue to give to the projects that they consider important. One of the jobs of the commission would be to match projects with funders. I must say I found ironic one comment made in Myles' article that even as schools are dying, money for the arts is trying to be imposed on folks. The thinking seems to be the same at these dying schools. When the funds dry up, cut the arts programs - even though studies have demonstrated that students who participate in arts education on a consistent basis perform better academically, develop better creative and critical thinking skills, participate in more school activities and volunteer for more community service. For the record, I do think that a city-backed public art commission rather than another non-profit group is the way to go. I firmly believe that a city and community that says "yes" to public art - backed with policy and funding - makes a public statement about the value of art in the community, in the schools and at home. There are a number of models for the development of public art in communities, but we don't have to adhere to any of them. We can develop something new, something more collaborative and something entirely unique. Amy Richard has lived in Ashland since 1990, was Revels editor at The Tidings for three years, and since June of 1998 has been media relations director for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing