Public Art Policy

PURPOSE

This policy establishes criteria and procedures for acceptance of public art, memorials and related gifts as public property owned by the Library, pursuant to applicable state and county law.

The objectives of this policy are:

• To provide uniform procedures for the review and acceptance of art, memorials and related gifts for the Library
• To facilitate appropriate recognition of artists and donors of works of art to the Library
• To maintain high artistic standards in works of art displayed by the Library
• To facilitate planning for the safe and appropriate placement of works of art on library campusesA
• To ensure the proper maintenance for the works of art

VISION

Communities gain value through public art – cultural, social, and economic value. Public art is a distinguishing part of our history and our evolving culture. It reflects and reveals our society, adds meaning to our daily lives and uniqueness to our communities. Public art humanizes the built environment and invigorates public spaces. It provides an intersection between past, present, and future, between disciplines, and between ideas. Public art is freely and equitably accessible, reflecting the diversity, plurality, and multicultural characteristics of the community. The art itself is always changing, but always embodies enduring principals which make public life valuable and worthwhile.

POLICY

1. Art Advisory Committee (AAC)
   1. The AAC shall be composed of at least six members, who shall be selected by and serve at the pleasure of the Library Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The AAC shall be composed of the following members:
      1. CEO or Designee: to serve as the AAC Administrator and is responsible to receive proposals and convene the AAC
      2. a Library Trustee
      3. a philanthropic representative
      4. an art curatorial professional from a local public institution
      5. a landscape architect, architect, urban planner, or related design professional
      6. a private citizen, knowledgeable in the field of public art, education or community affairs
      7. representatives from other groups as the CEO may determine necessary based on the genre of the proposed gift.
   2. Review Criteria: The AAC shall consider the following criteria in making a recommendation for accepting a donation of art to the Library:
      1. Aesthetic
         1. Artistic merit of the work of art, including consideration of its artistic, social, and/or historical significance, as evidenced by the Artwork Donation Proposal Form
         2. Warranty of originality of an existing artwork (only original works or limited editions shall be considered)
      2. Appropriate and Memorial Conventions
         1. Compatibility of the work of art within the context of the Library and the community where the art is proposed for exhibition
         2. Site permissions, restrictions, or covenants
         3. Significance to the balanced inventory of the Library’s collection, representing a variety of style, design, and media
         4. Avoidance of strong political affiliation, religious or commercial content
         5. Expresses and engages the diverse, multicultural, pluralistic nature of the community, reflecting persons and stories from all parts of the community
      3. Location
         1. Appropriateness of the work of art to the proposed site and its surroundings, including considerations of architecture, topography, and physical environment
         2. Compatibility with the environment and with the desired use and character of the proposed location and should not adversely affect the natural environment
         3. Advancement of equity in accessing works of art throughout the County
         4. Relation of the scale, form, content, color, and design of the artwork to the site
         5. Public accessibility, including access for persons with disabilities
         6. Site requirements for installation (i.e., electricity, lighting, water, or other services)
         7. Text components (i.e., signage and/or plaques)
      4. Financing
         1. All costs associated with fabrication and installation (including site preparation, plaque and unveiling/dedication event, if any).
         2. Source of funding and date the funds are available.
         3. Estimated maintenance costs for the planned timeframe for the installation
            1. Amount of ongoing costs
            2. Source and surety of finance for ongoing costs
            3. Statement of value of artwork for insurance purposes (i.e., artist's commission contract amount or professional written appraisal of existing artwork)
2. Technical Considerations Committee (TCC)
   1. The TCC shall be composed of five members:
      1. Chief Technology Officer
      2. Facilities Director
      3. Facilities Maintenance Supervisor
      4. Public Works Department engineer assigned to Library projects
      5. County Risk Management specialist assigned to Library matters
   2. Review Criteria: the TCC shall consider the following criteria in making a recommendation for accepting a donation of art to the Library:
      1. Safety
         1. Safety and structural integrity of the piece and compliance with applicable codes, laws, and statues
         2. Effect on nearby utilities and/or facilities
         3. Effects on site clearance and traffic safety
         4. Effect on street signage, traffic signals, potential street alterations, vehicular line of site, and related considerations
         5. Public safety
         6. Insurance requirements
      2. Maintenance
         1. Long range maintenance requirements
         2. Minimal maintenance requirements to both site and piece
         3. Durable material and construction which withstand climatic changes without appreciable deterioration
         4. Minimal increase lawn, shrub, turf and hard surface maintenance requirements
      3. Liability
         1. Accumulated depreciation calculation
         2. Requirements and resistance to vandalism
         3. Potential risk to the public
         4. Special insurance requirements
      4. Special Conditions
         1. Any conditions of the gift imposed by the donor.
         2. Any conditions of the artwork imposed by artist.
3. Review and Approval Process: The process outlined below will be followed in reviewing all proposals for donations of art, memorials and related gifts.
   1. Review by the AAC
      1. The donor submits an Artwork Donation Proposal Form (Appendix A) with the required attachments to the CEO.
      2. The CEO convenes the AAC to review the proposal.
      3. The AAC evaluates the proposal based upon the criteria in paragraph 1b.
      4. If the proposal is favorably evaluated, the AAC forwards the donation proposal to the TCC for review.
      5. If the proposal is not favorably evaluated, the AAC may coordinate with the donor to resolve any concerns. Otherwise, the AAC communicates the evaluation results to the donor.
   2. Review by the TCC
      1. After the proposal has been preliminarily approved by the AAC, the TCC evaluates the proposal based upon the criteria in paragraph 2b.
      2. If the evaluation criteria in paragraph 2b are satisfactorily met, the TCC notifies the AAC.
      3. If the evaluation criteria in paragraph 2b are not met, the TCC provides written comments and recommendations to the AAC. The AAC coordinates with the donor to resolve any technical issues.
   3. After the TCC review is complete, CEO convenes the AAC to formally approve the proposal.
4. Deaccession: In order to properly care for public art and Library property, it may be necessary, from time to time, to remove and dispose of donated items.
   1. The CEO convenes the AAC as needed to consider deaccession of items.
   2. Removed items are offered first to the donor, then to another civic institution or private party.
   3. Removed items are offered as gifts. Remuneration for removed items is not accepted.
5. Legal Title: Before the donated item(s) is accepted by the Library, transfer of title documents, including any limitations or restrictions on the transfer or continued ownership of the donated item(s), as well as any agreements between donor and the Library regarding same, must be approved by the Board of Library Trustees.
6. Appraisals: The Library will not provide or assume responsibility for appraisals for tax-deduction or other external purposes.

APPENDIX A -- Artwork Donation Proposal Form

Approved by the Board of Library Trustees December 16, 2021