DEPARTMENT: Arts & Culture
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Debbie Racca-Sittre, Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: Briefing and possible action on creating a comprehensive Art WORKS Program in San Antonio.
SUMMARY:
Briefing and possible action on the Council Consideration Request (CCR) from Councilmember Treviño on creating a comprehensive Art WORKS Program in San Antonio.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On July 22, 2020, Councilman Treviño submitted a Council Consideration Request (CCR) requesting the creation of a comprehensive Art WORKS Program in San Antonio. This program includes three policy components: 1) Increase City investment in Public Art for 1% to 2% of all eligible capital projects; 2) Develop a Design Enhancement policy; and 3) Develop an Art in Private Development policy. See attached CCR.
1. Public Art Funding: For over twenty years, the City of San Antonio has allocated public art funding as part of its capital improvement program’s strategy and to take consideration when art and cultural opportunities can enhance our city’s infrastructure projects, such as streets, drainage, parks, libraries, community facilities, and many more significant capital projects throughout all council districts. In 2011, City Council adopted a policy designated 1 % of all eligible capital projects to be set aside for Public Art. The 2012 General Obligation Bond was the first time the 1% public art funds were pooled by proposition to allow for larger art projects.
2. Design Enhancement: Design Enhancement policy would create a program that results in elements of projects designed by an artist/craftsman or an artist/craftsman in collaboration with the project architect, landscape architect or engineer. Artists would inform and help guide the design of a capital project with the purpose of making ordinary components of the capital project more beautiful, artistic and culturally significant.
3. Art in Private Development: The goal of the Art in Private Development Policy is to provide enhanced property values, and an improved appearance of the community through creative and properly maintained privately owned art in public view and provide more economic opportunity for artists. Art in Private Development policies exist in other cities mostly in California. The CCR notes that given the uncertainty caused by COVID-19, this portion of the policy should include ample stakeholder involvement and only go into effect after emergency orders are lifted.
ISSUE:
1. Public Art: This CCR proposes that the current Public Art policy be amended to increase the city’s investment in public art from 1% to 2% of all capital improvement projects contained in the City's capital improvement program. Policy would be applicable to all eligible capital projects approved on or after January 1, 2021.
2. Design Enhancement: This CCR proposes that the Public Works Department coordinate with the Department of Arts & Culture to implement a Design Enhancement program.
3. Art in Private Development: This CCR proposes that the Department of Arts & Culture and the Development Services Department work together on a project by project basis to create a program where Developers are encouraged to enhance their designs, the create art on-site or otherwise support public art.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Public Art: Staff recommends that the policy discussion on Public Art proceed to the Culture and Neighborhood Services Committee. Arts and Culture, Finance, Public Works and City Attorney will work together on the policy issue.
2. Design Enhancement: Staff recommends this policy discussion continue to the Culture and Neighborhood Services Committee. The Public Works Department and the Department of Arts & Culture will work together on the item and present concepts for discussion at the next meeting. The Departments are already working on some pilot projects to better understand the opportunities and costs associated with adopting a policy. The pilot will help inform staff’s recommendations as they work with the Culture and Neighborhood Services Committee.
3. Art in Private Development Policy is much of a larger conversation within the confines of the Unified Development Code (UDC) and should not be done independently from the UDC process. Due to citizen and stakeholder involvement, this conversation should be held along with the UDC conversation which has been delayed to a time when in-person meetings can be held. Discussion can include options to incentive art (through funding or more flexible permitting requirements) along with mandates. Also could include limits on location, type and size of development. Preliminary discussions can be done with developers to seek ideas. Other possibilities are to look at the Downtown PID and require a certain budget (% or fixed amount) be set aside for art annually. Once vetted by stakeholders through the UDC amendment process, staff will present to the Culture and Neighborhood Services Committee. Staff may also research an alternative Community Art Policy that would involve community development corporations like Centro San Antonio or the Westside Development Corporation.