Lessons

HOW ART BUILDS from the

Fort
A COMMUNITY Collins
Art in
Public
Places
Program

Ellen Martin, City of Fort Collins

Shelby Sommer, Clarion Associates
 AGENDA

 Fort Collins Art in Public

Places (APP) Program
Background
 Benefits of Public Art
 Administering an APP
Program
 Unique Projects and
Partnerships
 Linking Public Art and
Planning
Anne Aspen
BACKGROUND
 ART IN PUBLIC PLACES (APP)

 Established in
April, 1995
 Ordinance in
City Code
 Purpose:
 Encourage and enhance artistic
expression and art appreciation while
adding value to the Fort Collins
community through acquiring,
exhibiting and maintaining public art

East Prospect Rd.

May & Watkins Design
 APP PROGRAM

 Infusing Art into Capital Projects

 Over $250,000 – designate 1% for art

East Prospect Rd., May & Watkins Design

CSU Transit Center, David Griggs
 APP PROGRAM

 Infusing Art into Capital Projects

 Under $250,000 but more than $50,000 -
artist added to the project team, showing a
commitment to the APP purpose

Viewing Structure at Cathy Fromme Prairie

Carolyn Braaksma
 APP PROGRAM

 Infusing Art into Capital Projects

 Under $50,000 – artist may be added to the team at the
department’s discretion

Gardens on Spring Creek, stone by Andy Dufford

 APP PROGRAM

 Other Responsibilities
 Review and recommend
acceptance of art donations

Northside Aztlan Community Center, Anne Bossert

 APP PROGRAM

 Since Inception:
 More than 93 Projects
 130 Transformer Cabinet Murals

Transformer Cabinet Mural, Kirsten Savage Stewart Case Park, Jim Lynxwiler
 AWARDS

 City of Fort Collins Urban Design Awards

“Curtain” by Barbara Baer, Lincoln Center Lobby “Knowledge Shared” by Barbara Baer,
Council Tree Library
 AWARDS
 2011 Governor ’s Arts Award
 Recognized for collective
efforts to enhance the
community and economy
through strategic use of the
arts
 Review panel specifically
cited Fort Collins’
The arts weave the fabric of a
commitment to Public Art as community together; building cultural
one of the areas they were bridges and showing us new ways of
thinking and seeing.
impressed by in determining
the award winner - Governor Hickenlooper
presenting the award to Fort Collins
 AWARDS

 “City Showcase” at the

National League of Cities,
Congress of Cities
 Featured APP Transformer
Cabinet Mural Project
 Demonstrates how Fort
Collins uses
innovative/creative
solutions
BENEFITS
 ART IN PUBLIC PLACES…

Enhances our Physical Environment

Creates a Sense of Place and Distinctiveness
Promotes Community Involvement
Honors our Environmental Health
Supports Social Wellbeing
Contributes to an Attractive Community & Strong Economic Value
Fosters Civic Pride
Acknowledges our Cultural History
Reduces Crime and Saves Money
Provides Educational Opportunities
 ENHANCES OUR PHYSICAL
ENVIRONMENT
 Creatively enhances the
project
 Illustrates a commitment to
quality and creativity

Northside Aztlan Community Center, Carolyn Braaksma Police Facility, Andy Dufford
 PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES
 Stimulating environments for
discovery and exploration
 Opportunities to learn about
the site, our history, and our
community

Watercycle Wall Interpretive Signage, Joe McGrane Police Facility, Andy Dufford
 REDUCES CRIME
AND SAVES MONEY
 Busy murals
decrease
vandalism
 Maintenance
costs reduced
Before After

Keith Van Eron

I personally believe any effort on our part that beautifies or mitigates [graffiti] activity is a positive
approach. I, for one, am grateful for all [the Art in Public Places program’s] hard work, and the city’s
commitment to making Fort Collins a world class place to live and work.

- Nick Myers, Graffiti Abatement Coordinator

Fort Collins Police Services
 SUPPORTS SOCIAL WELLBEING

 Provides unique and stimulating

ways to communicate
 Alerts the public to
safety issues

Fossil Creek Trail, Mario Echevarria Mason Corridor Trail, Mario Echevarria
 CREATES A SENSE OF PLACE AND
DISTINCTIVENESS
 Uniquely
Fort Collins
 Architecture,
parks, and public
spaces unlike
anywhere else
 Adds artful
enhancements

College & Harmony, Oak Street Plaza,

Robert Tully Lawrence Argent
HONORS ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES

 Illustrates conservation issues

 Highlights natural resources

Above: Red Fox Meadows Natural Area, Barb McKee

Right: Watercycle Wall, Joe McGrane
 CONTRIBUTES TO STRONG
ECONOMIC HEALTH

Transformer Cabinet Mural,

 Investment in economic future
 Materials and services frequently

Nanci Erskine
kept local
 Leverages project budget
 Arts & culture industry –
2012 Creative Vitality Study
 $75 million in annual economic activity
 Supports 6,485 jobs

“ C r e a t i vi t y i s t h e f u n d a m e nta l s o u r ce
o f e c o n o m i c g r o w t h .”

– R i c h a rd F l o r i d a i n
R i s e o f t h e C r e a t i ve C l a s s

City Park Pool,

Joe McGrane
 EMBRACED BY THE
BUSINESS COMMUNITY
“ The visual arts are a key compone nt in the unique feel of Old Town Fort
Collins. The Art In Public Places energetic influence is an obvious and vital
piece of that quality experience.”

Scott P. Smith, President CooperSmith's Pub & Brewing

“I believe that great communitie s require a significant dose of unexpecte d,

pleasant surprises that require pedestrians to become engage d with their
surroundi ngs. I see that happe ni ng at the Oak Street Park, in our beautiful
alleys, at the pianos downtown, and during the festivals and performance s
that happen year round. Art in Public Places plays a major role in cultivating
an environme nt of creativity and fostering partnershi ps with public and
private interests in our communit y that fill this need.”

Steve Taylor, Hot Corner Concept s

 FOSTERS CIVIC PRIDE

 Esteems a community icon

or theme
 Anchors a community
gathering place

Veterans Plaza, Susan Raymond

Pianos About Town, Terry McNerney

 ACKNOWLEDGES OUR
CULTURAL HISTORY
 Honors historical places,
people, and practices
 Builds public awareness
 Stimulating sites for discovery
and exploration

Linden St Paver,
Susan Dailey

Soapstone Natural Area, Robert Tully

 PROMOTES COMMUNITY
INVOLVEMENT
 Brings citizens together
 Creates a sense of pride
within the community

Girl Scout Troop 2258 Mason Street Trail,

Mario Miguel Echevarria
Kids Paver, Sarah Bashford
 UTILIZES SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

 Leverages projects’ functional

components and budget,
turning standard elements
into art
 Reusable elements, including Soapstone Prairie, Robert Tully
concrete form liners that can be
used at other locations
 Leftover paint is used on
multiple projects

Red Fox Meadows, Barb McKee

 …IS EVERYWHERE
Parks
Gardens
City Facilities
Alleyways & Plazas
Streetscapes
Natural Areas Utility Sites
Recreation Facilities Trails
Transportation Centers
 PROGRAM
ADMINISTRATION
 ADMINISTRATION:
COLLABORATIVE PROCESS
Artist Project Review &
Selection Design Approval
• APP board and • Artist • APP Board
project team incorporated reviews final
select an artist into design concepts after
not a specific team early into project team
work of art ensure art approval
• Selection concepts align • If over
occurs through with project $10,000, the
a request for goals project requires
qualifications • Artist involved Council
(RFQ) or using a throughout the approval
pre-approved course of
list of artists project
 ADMINISTRATION:
SELECTING AN ARTIST
 Request for  Pre-Approved List
Qualifications (RFQ)  Artists are juried
 Larger budgets  The budget is small
 Promote a call to artists on  Project has a fast time line
a national level (limited time to promote a
call)
 Make it available to all
 Team would like to work
artists with a local artist to
integrate into design
meetings
 ADMINISTRATION:
DESIGNING ARTWORK
 Add APP Artist to the
Design Contract
Design Team
 Creates site-specific,
integrated projects Artist Included on
Design Team
 Builds support from an
interdisciplinary team
Concept Development
 Leverages budget (Artist & Design Team)
 Creates unique projects
Project Team Approves
Concept

Project Approved by APP

Board and City Council
ADMINISTRATION: REVIEWING AND
APPROVING ARTWORK
 City Staff
 APP Coordinator (full time)
 Administers program
logistics and budget
 Staff liaison to APP Board
 Supported by part-time
cultural resources staff and
interns

Installation of the Water Quality Boxes,

Andy Dufford with staff
ADMINISTRATION: REVIEWING AND
APPROVING ARTWORK
 Art in Public Places  City Council
Board  Reviews APP Board
recommendations
 Appointed by City Council
 Approves expenditures in
 Advises and makes
excess of $10,000
recommendations to City
Council about:
 Incorporating art into capital
projects
 Art donations
 Program administration
 ADMINISTRATION: BUDGETING

 APP Five Year Budget

2006 – 2010
 Yearly Average Revenue: $423,484
 Yearly Average Expenditure: $296,950
 Average Project Cost: $43,669
 Median Project Cost: $11,000
 ADMINISTRATION:
PROGRAM CHALLENGES
 Staffing
 Individual preferences
 Budgeting/funding
 City Council review
 Maintenance for a growing
collection

Sculpture by Collen Nyanhongo

A gift from The Neenan Family
UNIQUE PROJECTS
AND PARTNERSHIPS
 APP PARTNERSHIPS

 Fort Collins Community

 Downtown Development Authority
 Bohemian Foundation
 Poudre River Library District
 Team Fort Collins
 Poudre School District
 Colorado State University
 Veterans’ Plaza Committee
Northside Aztlan Community Center
Skate Park , Amanda Marie Ploegsma
 INNOVATIVE PROJECTS

 Downtown Art in Action

 Rafael Lopez Community Mural Project
 Pianos About Town
 Transformer Cabinet Murals

Transformer Cabinet Pianos About Town

 TRANSFORMER CABINET MURALS
 Estimated savings of
$22,895 per year in graffiti
abatement for
30 cabinets
 APP has completed 130
cabinets Rolfe Bautista

 Murals are painted by local

artists and non-profit
groups
 Very few painted cabinets
have been tagged in 6 years
Terry McNerney
 ART IN ACTION

 Funded by Downtown
Development Authority

Lisa Cameron

Jim Lynxwiler
 RAFAEL LOPEZ
COMMUNITY MURAL PROJECT
 Funded by Poudre River
Library District
 PIANOS ABOUT TOWN

 Funded by the Bohemian Foundation and

Downtown Development Authority

Mary Harnett

Alison Dickson

Rolfe Bautista
LINKING PUBLIC ART
AND PLANNING
 OTHER PUBLIC ART PROGRAMS
 Regional 1% for Art Programs:  Comparable Cities with
 Aurora Public Art programs:
 Broomfield  Ann Arbor, Michigan
 Denver  Bellvue, Washington
 DIA  Boise, Idaho
 Cary, North Carolina
 Englewood
 Eugene, Oregon
 Fort Collins  Plano, Texas
 Greeley  Rockville, MD
 Longmont  Scottsdale, AZ
 Loveland
 State of Colorado
 Larger Communities
identified by Art:
 More than 30 Colorado  New York City, New York
communities have a public art  Seattle, Washington
program  Santa Fe, New Mexico
 Portland, Oregon
DOES YOURS?
 APP AND COMMUNITY PLANNING
 Plans and policies are a great
way to address the role and
importance of public art!
 Comprehensive Plans
 Transportation Plans
 Subarea and Neighborhood Plans
 Parks and Recreation Plans
 Open Space Plans
 Downtown Plans
 Economic Development Strategies
 Capital Improvement Plans
 Historic Preservation Policies
 Urban Design Strategies
 Public Art Master Plans
 ROLE OF PLANNERS

 What can a planner do?

 Introduce or build
awareness of the concept
 Support or lead a public art
program
 Involve local artists and
organizations
 Join a local board or
commission
 Participate as an artist
 APP RESOURCES
 Colorado Creative Industries
(part of State Office of Economic Development)
www.coloarts.state.co.us
 Western States Arts Federation (service & advocacy )
www.westaf.org
 Americans for the Arts (programs, advocacy & PAN)
www.artsusa.org
 American Planning Association (research & articles)
www.planning.org (search “public art”)
 CaFE – Call For Entry (manage calls for entry)
www.callforentry.org
QUESTIONS?
 FOR MORE INFORMATION:
WWW.FCGOV.COM/ARTSPUBLIC

Ellen Martin, City of Fort Collins

emartin@fcgov.com

Shelby Sommer, Clarion Associates

ssommer@clarionassociates.com