The District of Squamish is planning to select a Public Art Advisor which will run an annual structured public art program in the district.
The advisor will take the place of the Public Art Select Committee, and will aim to “activate” public spaces by installing public art.
The advisor will manage the Public Art Program, create an annual work plan, recommend viable sites for public art projects and select public art for approved sites, initiate public art competitions, and act as an advisory to elected officials, staff, artists and the public.
The advisor would be an organisation chosen by the district. However, the public art advisor can appoint a member of its staff or a qualified professional to manage the Public Art Program.
The selection would mark the end of the district’s Public Art Select Committee, which was started in 2014 for a five-year term to support the development of public art in Squamish.
District’s public art policy and the committee oversaw a process to obtain, enhance, and protect public art in Squamish.
Now, this process will be delegated to a public art advisor, an external position that will enable the district to be at arm’s length while making decisions about public art.
“The establishment of a Public Art Advisor and an arms-length program will enable staff to focus on the actions established in the Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy such as the creation of a public art inventory and arts public spaces map, while maintaining oversight of the program through the annual work plan,” staff noted in a report to the council.
The external management would also reduce barriers for the arts community, the district says.
Once the council has approved a new art policy, the staff will initiate an agreement with an appropriate organization to provide the Public Art Advisor service.
The staff will be working with the Public Art Advisor to coordinate Public Art competitions for new developments as applicable, and create a public art inventory for the community and a map of suitable places for public art.
