Bryan Newson has been manager of the City’s Public Art Program since 1993. Under Bryan’s leadership, the City undertook a review of the Public Art Program.
We asked five questions:
- How is the City involved in public art? And why?
- Why has the City undertaken a Public Art Review?
- Did the Public Art Review include opportunities for public involvement?
- How can artists learn more about participating in public art opportunities?
- How can Vancouver residents learn more about public art in Vancouver?
Q: How is the City involved in public art? And why?
The City has an important role to play in incorporating contemporary art practices into city planning and development. The intent of the program is to provide for the creation of art that expresses the spirit, values, visions and poetry of place that make up Vancouver. Public art also can serve as visual markers that beautify the city. Historically, the Program has been comprised of three distinct components: the Civic Public Art Program, the Private Development Program and the Community Public Art Program. City Council also created a 9-member Public Art Committee to provide guidance and public oversight to often complex public art processes. I also work cross-departmentally with staff from Engineering, Facilities, Planning, Park Board and Law, to complete our projects.
Q: Why has the City undertaken a Public Art Review?
The Program was established in 1991 – it was one of the first of its kind in Canada. Since then, of course, Vancouver has grown tremendously and along with it a keen interest in the art form. There really are many opportunities ahead for artists creating public art in Vancouver as the field is still relatively new and is evolving rapidly. We’ve got some great, internationally renowned artists in our midst; it’s important for us to develop new ways of bringing them and their work forward. As well, neighbourhood interest in and appetite for public art has also grown considerably. It’s also important to provide residents and visitors with the opportunity to experience quality public art in public places.
We have undertaken the review within the context of the City’s new Culture Plan. With a new vision, values and strategic directions, the Culture Plan will shape and guide our future Public Art Program. Now is the time to revisit program fundamentals—mission, aims and operational provisions—to ensure continuing relevance and capacity to maintain the current momentum.
Q: Did the Public Art Review include opportunities for public involvement?
Yes, there have been several opportunities. One of the first steps taken by the review Steering Committee was to create an Advisory Committee, composed of a broad range of community representatives, including artists and all previous chairs of the public art committee. The Advisory committee has provided critical feedback and advice throughout the review process.
As well, we undertook an extensive stakeholder consultation process that involved dozens of meetings and individual interviews. We also held an information meeting in partnership with Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design where students and the public were invited to provide thoughts, ideas and opinions on the future direction of the program. And on May 12th, of course, the public will have an opportunity to provide final feedback on the key recommendations going forward to Council this June.
Q: How can artists learn more about participating in public art opportunities?
Through our website, anyone can sign up and become a member of our Public Art listserve. We circulate information on local, national and international public art opportunities on a regular basis. http://vancouver.ca/publicart
Q: How can Vancouver residents learn more about public art in Vancouver?
I would suggest visiting our website, we’ve got a lot of really interesting and useful information on there, and also going on a public art walking tour. We published a wonderful public art guide of the Downtown Shoreline. You can download the publication online or pick a copy up at our office.
For further information:
- Learn more about the Public Art Program
http://vancouver.ca/publicart
- Download the public art walking tour guide of the Downtown Shoreline
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/oca/PublicArt/pdf/ShorelineWalk.PDF
A portion of the Brockton Point gateway in progress. Photo by Karen Henry