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

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residents see and appreciate the value of public art, while others do not believe public money should be used to support it. It seems like visitors will often go out of their way to appreciate public art, while residents sometimes pay no attention at all. Making public art accessible can build community pride, as it is a way to celebrate local people and history. He believes that everyone benefits by having art accessible and available. The city recognizes its historic cultural history with a statue of Chief Little Crow overlooking the river. In addition, the three pioneer brothers that were founders of the community are celebrated with a sculpture in the town square. He believes that the city should expand upon the stories provided with each of these sculptures to tell more of the story of how this area developed. The cost to the city is an annual allocation of $15,000 toward public art projects and the city uses that money to leverage grants. City staff help with the preparation and placement of various statues, and the city provides routine maintenance. Private companies have also stepped-up and sponsored some of the art pieces. City Staff/Arts Administrators The Executive Director for Community B's Center for the Arts believes that public art creates a draw for the community. It creates a perception about the community that it is a richer artistic community and it creates pride among community members. It can become a way to identify the community. The public art becomes an icon or an emblem for the community, like the cherry on a spoon sculpture in Minneapolis. Art contribute to the local economy. Anyone is free to experience the city's sculpture walk or events at the art center. As they experience the art, they also look around, and visit the community in other ways. The longer people stay the more money they spend. Communities with a strong arts reputation also get a reputation of being more creative, more interesting, and more fun. She believes that the strongest rationale for public art in Community B is in building art stakeholders, an art tourism environment, and a 101