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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2024 1119 AC REG ITEM 07BItem: 7.B. CITY OF MOORPARK MOORPARK ARTS COMMISSION AGENDA REPORT TO: Moorpark Arts Commission FROM: Chris Ball, Senior Management Analyst DATE: 11/19/2024 Regular Meeting SUBJECT: Consider Options for Programming Works of Art at the New Moorpark Library Sculpture Garden Location BACKGROUND In 2020 the City Council approved in concept the Moorpark Civic Center Master Plan, which formally set the location for the new Moorpark City Library on the north side of High Street across from the Post Office. In this location the new Library will be a prominent feature in the downtown area, encouraging daytime and evening pedestrian traffic, and contributing to the activation of High Street. In 2022 the City Council approved an agrarian architectural style for the Library reflective of Moorpark’s agricultural history. The architectural style takes its inspiration from a barn style structure with a vaulted framework, wood beams, and large windows allowing ample natural light to illuminate the interior. Following design approval, design development drawings were completed, including the development of the Library site plan. One of the notable features on the site plan is a proposed sculpture garden located at the northeast side of the Library. This sculpture garden is located outside the children’s area and alongside the walkway leading to the Library entrance on the northern side of the building. In this location the artwork will be visible not only from the exterior northern approach to the building, but also from the Library interior, through floor-to-ceiling windows in the children’s area. The space would accommodate several sculptures as well as vegetation appropriate for the location and incorporates a curved path that winds through the sculpture garden to allow visitors to experience the artwork close up (see Attachment). On May 21, 2024 the Arts Commission considered two concepts for programming artwork for the location. The first concept was a temporary sculpture program whereby artwork 9 Arts Commission 11/19/2024 Regular Meeting Page 2 on temporary loan would be displayed in the garden and replaced on a regular schedule. The second concept was to commission unique permanent works of art for the location. The Arts Commission was generally supportive of both concepts and ultimately requested that staff explore a hybrid approach involving one permanent and two temporary installations. DISCUSSION To better understand the requirements of a temporary sculpture program staff examined established programs in a number of cities including Santa Clarita, Pasadena, Newport Beach, Encinitas, Del Mar, Carlsbad and various others. Through this analysis, including speaking with several program administrators, staff identified a number of key elements that would be required for such a program including, but not limited to : •Concrete pads or footings must be designed and installed to accommodate the artwork. •Selected artwork must conform to the design limits of the footings, and would be limited to existing, completed works that are appropriate for the location. •Artwork selection is based on design criteria and composition as well as conformance with program guidelines. •Artwork is displayed on loan for a temporary, pre-determined period. A minimum term of three years is recommended to extend the life of the footings and spread the administrative burden. •Artists are required to sign a loan agreement with the City and provide appropriate insurance. •Detailed installation drawings and instructions are required. In some cases, engineering drawings and specifications may be required for review and approval. •Artists receive an honorarium (generally $1,000 to $3,000 per year) with phased payments at specified milestones. •The City coordinates outreach and advertising for the program. •The City coordinates installation and deinstallation with the Artist. •The Artist is generally required to provide maintenance during the loan period. Other program elements tend to vary between programs. For example, the sale of artwork while on loan can be handled in a variety of ways. Some programs (like Santa Clarita) collect a commission on sales during the loan period, while others (like Solana Beach) collect no commission on sales. Still others (like Pasadena) reserve the first right of refusal to negotiate for the purchase of artwork at the end of the loan period. The method of artwork installation and removal also varies between programs with some requiring it of the artist, while others contract with an independent contractor for 10 Arts Commission 11/19/2024 Regular Meeting Page 3 installation and deinstallation services. Elements like these require additional consideration if the City moves forward with implementing a temporary sculpture program. The main appeal of a temporary program is that it would create a public art display space that offers a new experience for visitors every few years and provides a recurring opportunity to draw attention to the Library and promote public art to the community. However, there are several limitations to consider regarding establishing a temporary sculpture program in conjunction with construction of the Library. First, the available space limits the size of the prefabricated footings, which in turn would limi t the size and variety of sculptures that could be displayed. Furthermore, the wear and tear on the footings from repeated installations would require footing replacement after several cycles, which could be disruptive to Library operations during construction. Perhaps most significantly, establishing and managing a temporary sculpture program requires a substantial commitment of time and resources. Site preparation, artwork solicitation, selection, installation, deinstallation, and artist management and contracting are all required elements regardless of the size and location of the program. In many cities such programs are implemented by dedicated art program staff or outsourced to community partners. This is not to suggest that such a program is outside the capabilities of the City’s AIPP program, but considering that the City generally only has the capacity to manage one installation every few years, it would add a significant burden to existing staff workload. Therefore, if it is to be undertaken, careful consideration should be given regarding the nature and timing of the program to ensure that it can be implemented effectively and with the greatest benefit to the community. On the other hand, the installation of permanent artwork at the sculpture garden location would allow the City to maximize the placemaking potential for the site. Placemaking is a term used to describe the act of enhancing a public space to cultivate a distinct sense of place. This concept is promoted in the Arts Master Plan with an objective to “Engage creative placemaking techniques that leverage the visual and physical characteristics of Moorpark to distinguish it as a community and as a destination.” The Master Plan also identifies the new Library as a specific location to engage in such efforts. Commissioning permanent artwork at this site would avoid the constraints of prefabricated footings and allow for more impactful artwork created specifically for the location. The call for artists would specify an appropriate theme for the artwork and could be conditioned to all ow for either several separate sculptures or an integrated installation, with the overarching goal of commissioning an imaginative and inspiring installation that will distinguish the site, attract visitors, and connect with the community. The primary downside of this approach is the possibility that over time the novelty of the artwork may diminish for regular Library patrons. 11 Arts Commission 11/19/2024 Regular Meeting Page 4 Although the suggested hybrid strategy appears to capture the benefits of both options by allowing for one larger-scale permanent sculpture along with two small-scale temporary installations, staff feels that it is not an ideal approach for this site. Implementing both programs in the same space would dilute their impact by offering less space for an impactful permanent installation and fewer temporary pieces. At the same time, the administrative burden would be doubled in order to manage the two concurrent programs. Given the significant demand on City resources that the construction of the Library will already require, and considering the fact that the City does not have staff dedicated solely to the AIPP program, implementing an extra art program at this time would not be possible and is not recommended. As mentioned earlier, a temporary sculpture program requires a significant investment of time and resources to implement, regardless of program size and location. The feedback obtained from researching the program suggests that the most impactful temporary sculpture programs are citywide programs that serve to highlight the city as a stimulating destination for visitors and residents. For example, Santa Clarita attracts visitors to their network of multi-use trails with their Trailhead Art program, while Pasadena’s Rotating Public Art program activates unusual, often unnoticed locations throughout the city. Given the amount of time and effort that a temporary art program requires, staff does not recommend implementing such a program at the Library sculpture garden site, but rather, to consider a more impactful program at a later time that would incorporate multiple locations citywide. City parks, public facilities, and other locations like the planned Arroyo Simi Trail, would all offer viable locations to consider for such a program. After careful consideration of all the options, staff recommends the installation of permanent artwork at the sculpture garden location. Not only is this approach supported by the Arts Master Plan, but staff also feels that it offers the best opportunity to provide a significant and impactful placemaking art installation in the exterior of the Library. Additionally, with this approach, artwork selection, approval and contracting would follow the City’s established procedures, allowing for more certainty i n the implementation of this public art element of the new Library project. If the Arts Commission concurs with this recommendation, staff will establish funding for the permanent art installation and return at a later date to request Commissioner participation on an artist selection panel for the project. STAFF RECOMMENDATION 1.Affirm the installation of permanent works of art at the new Moorpark Library sculpture garden location. 12 Arts Commission 11/19/2024 Regular Meeting Page 5 Attachment: New Moorpark Library Site Plan 13 Arts Commission 11/19/2024 Regular Meeting Page 6 14