AH public art ordinance awaits council approval

AIRWAY HEIGHTS – The Planning Commission took another step forward in the city’s Public Art Plan at their July 14 meeting. They voted to take the latest ordinance to the City Council for a public hearing. The ordinance will add a chapter specifically entitled “Public Art” to the city’s municipal code.

The planning process for this project began in 2018. When the city received a public art proposal from an external agency, they realized their lack of public art policy made it difficult to address any proposals. The Public Art Plan was officially adopted in February 2021.

Along with adding public art provisions to the municipal code, this recent ordinance will create a public art commission. This will be a voluntary commission made up of five members of the public who will provide leadership and advice in matters concerning public art. It also outlined the process for installing public art in the city, including aspects such as definitions, design criteria, and the approval process.

Any public art will be funded by a municipal art fund. “Public projects are capital projects,” said Principal Planner Heather Troutman. “That becomes the source of funding.”

The fund will be made up of city capital improvement project contributions, cash grants and donations, to be drawn out when necessary.

Riley Kankelberg can be reached at [email protected].

 

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