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

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4.10 Summary and Findings: Public Art Collaboration and the Role of the Public Administrator Findings of this research indicate that the work of city manager in regard to public art span the breadth of the twelve roles for a manager as described by Mintzberg (1990). In Community A and Community C, the city manager took more of an active role in the areas of interpersonal and decisional roles in regard to public art. In Community B, the city manager was less involved on those levels and served more of an informational role, researching and providing information to the council, while implementing the direction of the council. In this case, a long-standing elected official served as a community champion for public art and usurped some of the roles a city manager may have taken under different circumstances. Nonetheless, all city managers played the following key roles to some extent in regard to public art. First, the city manager serves as the staff leader of the organization, and as such, sets the direction for the city staff based upon the council's adoption of policy, plans, and ordinances. The city manager has the task of day-to-day interpretation and implementation of this direction. He is often the figurehead at community public art events, maintains contacts and relationships with key stakeholders, and is in a position to encourage and support public art projects. Second, the city manager provides information and background research about public art programs and policies. He makes presentations to various board and commissions, will speak at local civic groups like the Rotary Club, and generally provide information about the status and value of art projects. Finally, the city manager must often assess the political and financial risk of implementing a public art project. The city manager must guide the process as communities consider options for public art. The city manager plays a role in resolving disputes or knocking 134