Council mulls art policy

Tauranga City has moved one step closer to a comprehensive public art policy, which it is hoped will create a 'vibrant” city environment.

Next week's City Vision committee meeting will see councillors mull over adopting the draft Public Art Policy following two community workshops last month.


One of Owen Dippie's giant street artworks.

In March, council agreed to develop this policy after requests from the arts community for a more transparent and consistent process for considering the acceptance of art on public land and buildings.

Fundamentally, the policy is about how council will make future decisions about public art.

A report, written by TCC policy analyst and corporate planner Melony Atkins, outlines council adopting the draft.

Melony says council acknowledges that public art assists in creating a city environment that is vibrant, engaging and dynamic.

'Public art can help shape identity, create a sense of belonging and improve the look and feel of our public spaces,” she says.

While Melony admits the policy may not meet the expectations of some members of the arts community, there is further opportunity for members to comment on the draft in February.

Should councillors approve the draft for consultation, a four-week period of community-wide engagement will follow, beginning February 2, 2015.

Members of the arts community are also planning a series of public art talks to coincide with the consultation.

As part of the policy a full definition of public art has been developed. It is defined as something that 'includes all art forms that take place in a public place owned or administered by council”.

It includes permanent, temporary and performance art, plus conceptual contributions of artists to the design of public spaces.

The policy will not cover privately owned works or anything on private land, the Civic Art Collection, any advertising and billboards located in public space or impromptu public art activities.

It will cover the process for considering the acceptance of public art, outcomes and criteria for public art and for deaccessioning of public art.

If the policy is implemented it will include the establishment of a nine-person public art advisory Group to assisting with its implementation for significant public art proposals.

The group will include up to three external members with expertise in visual, public and cultural arts, curations of galleries or art exhibitions, or urban design. A tangata whenua representative will also be nominated.

The TCC City Vision committee meet next Monday at 1pm.

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5 comments

Rubbish

Posted on 29-11-2014 13:49 | By Jitter

What a load of absolute and utter crap.However if we must waste money on such unimportant functions then the 9 person advisory group should be appointed by the ratepayers. Why automatically appoint a "Maori" representative ? What about all the other cultural groups in the city. Does TCC believe that Tauranga is a biculturall city when in fact it is truly multicultural ? If there is to be "Maori" representation then all the other cultures must all be represented. Otherwise "Maori" are once again being handed another special privilege that none of the other cultural groups in the city have the opportunity to avail themselves of. One of these days the ongoing giving of "Maori" special privileges is going to come back and bite TCC in the bum


stop mulling stuff over immediately

Posted on 29-11-2014 13:50 | By The Tomahawk Kid

It is time the council were reigned in. There should be a BAN on the council being allowed to MULL OVER ANYTHING except CORE COUNCIL BUSINESS. Mulling stuff over is obviously something they are very POOR at, because everything that goes through this MULLING process turns bad. (who knows - it may have something to do with fiddling about in things they have no expertise in - surely not!) Any councillors caught even thinking about MULLING stuff over should be immediately dismissed. I want councillors who do - well - COUNCIL stuff - not stuff Private enterprise can do CHEAPER and without other peoples responsibility (not to mention money). Ban council mulling NOW.


Tongue out of your cheek

Posted on 29-11-2014 16:08 | By carpedeum

please Tomahawk Kid!!! I much prefer all our newish Councillors to MULL, CONSIDER,WEIGH UP, DELIBERATE,DISCUSS and reach a CONSENSUS instead of making decisions " on the hoof". I applaud their consideration for establishing some Public Art in this wonderful cty of ours- shows that we are finally GROWING UP into a BIG CITY instead of a continuing to be a wee seaside town with people who have been big fish in a little pond for such a (far too) long time


Art can't be policied or defined

Posted on 01-12-2014 10:34 | By Annalist

Art is in the eye of the beholder therefore art can't be defined by a policy. But maybe there should be rules such as Council won't spend money on art and the maintenance of art and endless talking about art. Another rule could be that if Council is offered art (such as the hairy sculptures) and sets a maintenance fund target to be me by the donator, then Council has the integrity to stick to that target and not reduce it???


Annalist has it sorted

Posted on 02-12-2014 08:30 | By Murray.Guy

Totally agree with Annalist in that to define 'art' serves only to limit and set us up for scraps over what is and what isn't. Likewise, clear policy on what basis our 'rates and public space' are to be used, terms and conditions as invariably agreements, promises and assurances made by those seeking to raid the ratepayers purse will say anything, will on a 'who you know wink and a nod basis, be dispensed with, overturned. No agreements must be in perpetuity.


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