Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 01/09/2025

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The artist interviewed in Community A believes that public art makes the city much more welcoming. She stated that it makes the city not sterile, warm, interesting, and not the same as other cities. She believes it makes residents happier. She noted the playful interaction people have with the sculptures in front of her art studio business as an example. People interact and have fun; kids high five the sculptures, people have put socks and other adornments on the sculptures, and they take photographs with the artwork. In her opinion, the strongest rationale for public art in the community is that it makes it welcoming. Public art is for everyone, and it makes people love coming to the city. Because they enjoy it, they spend more time in the community and they come back to visit and shop. She believes that residents and visitors view public art in the city as pretty positive. Businesses will sponsor installations and the public will get involved by voting on the favorite sculptures on display. A benefit to the community is that the public doesn't need to spend a lot of money to get high quality art. She acknowledges that people that don't have a background or have some education about art, probably don't appreciate it as much as they could. However, she noted that there are all sorts of things for people to look at and think about and it doesn't require an art education to interact and enjoy the art. There is a public cost to maintain public art on public property, but the city benefits by private art that is accessible to the public. The private businesses that install the art are responsible for all the care and maintenance of those pieces. Community B City Administrator/Man The City Administrator in Community B believes that public art helps create a more complete community and gives the city a sense of place. He thinks that public art provides an avenue for those that have a passion for the arts. It creates a more holistic community for those 98