Roswell Public Art Master Plan
City of Roswell, Georgia
WHY
Roswell, Georgia was at a crossroads. As a historic community in the fast-growing Atlanta region, Roswell was determined to embrace its historic past while showcasing its emerging identity through new development. City leaders here desired a unique process for engaging with residents and businesses that would help build support for public art in the future.
HOW
In Roswell, public engagement took many interesting and unusual forms. It was especially important, given its fractured political environment, to engage and education a representative array of stakeholders. From local breweries — which even concocted a small batch ‘Roswell Arts Fund’ beer — to high school classrooms, the team focused on meeting people where they were. Through this targeted outreach, we were able to ensure that all factions of the community were engaged in and supportive of the final plan.
WHAT
The Roswell Public Art Master Plan was adopted in July of 2017. It focused on two key strategic goals: prioritization of art types and sites, and public education for future policy changes (i.e., a 'percent for the arts’ ordinance).
San Luis Obispo Public Art Master Plan
San Luis Obispo, California
WHY
San Luis Obispo’s vision for public art stems from a long legacy of public art champions and more than 25 years of investment in the arts at a citywide level. In 1990, the city established and funded a public art program by requiring that 1% of the estimated construction cost of eligible projects in the Capital Improvement Plan be set aside for public art. To build upon their strong legacy of public art and cast a vision for the next 25 years, the city decided to seek community input in 2016.
HOW
To kick off the planning process, stakeholders were asked a series of questions about how public art relates to their sense of place, to the overall identity of San Luis Obispo, and to economic growth, business development, education, downtown development, and community engagement. They were then asked to consider where new pieces of public art should go and what types of art they would like to see in their community. They also discussed attributes that make San Luis Obispo stand out among other Central Coast communities, California communities, and the rest of the United States. In addition to the three public meetings, engagement opportunities also took place at an elementary after-school program, during a middle school lunch break, and during regularly scheduled San Luis Obispo High School art classes. An online survey was conducted to capture the ideas of those who were unable to attend the workshops in person.
WHAT
The Public Art Master Plan was adopted by City Council in December 2016. Recommendations from the plan include increasing Art in Public Places funding, developing a full time Public Art Manager position within the Parks and Recreation Department, and developing a maintenance and conservation plan.
Emeryville Public Art Master Plan
Emeryville, California
WHY
Emeryville’s vision to be a city that values art comes from a long legacy of public art champions and a 25-year commitment to investing in the arts at a citywide level. Today the city’s Art in Public Places Program (AiPP) has nearly 70 publicly-owned art works and 230 art installations available to the public in private locations. Both collections are growing as the city continues to commission work and private development extends AiPP’s reach. The Public Art Master Plan of 2016 was intended to define AiPP’s current focus and ensure it resonated with all community stakeholders.
HOW
The planning process included meeting with numerous key stakeholders — council members, local business owners, artists, city staff, architects, and educators — who were asked a series of questions about the importance of public art in Emeryville. Emeryville residents were also invited to participate in a series of workshops where they were asked to consider geographic priorities, what new types of art they would like to see, and how they would like to see the Art in Public Places Program grow. All were asked to consider what values and attributes make Emeryville stand out in a region known for artistic excellence and innovation.
WHAT
The Emeryville Public Art Master Plan was adopted in November 2016. It featured six major goals and strategies, nine conceptual projects, and six conceptual programs.
Essence of Athens
Athens, Ohio
WHY
Athens, Ohio is a forward-thinking town that doesn’t shy away from new ideas. It’s a unique place, tucked in a valley in the Appalachian foothills, but it knows it could be even more special. Community leaders were keen to build upon their assets to keep attracting new residents, tourists, businesses, and Ohio University students. That’s why they came together to discuss how to make Athens a 100% original, ‘uncopyable’ community.
HOW
Community members were asked a simple question: “What is the Essence of Athens?” Their collective answer helped the Designing Athens Committee define specific elements that make Athens an original city. People contributed nearly 500 photos and several essays representing what makes Athens truly special to them. Based on this input, the committee agreed on a framework to guide new civic infrastructure projects, and made suggestions for commercial and residential development.
WHAT
Essence of Athens is a framework for creating Athens-specific civic infrastructure (roads, sidewalks, lights and poles, parking garage, pavers, staircases, community spaces, signs, benches — anything that can be used and seen). The effort has won multiple awards.
COLLABORATORS
MKSK
Duluth Public Art Master Plan
City of Duluth, Georgia
WHY
Duluth, Georgia undertook a journey to announce itself as an arts destination by becoming the first city in the Atlanta region to complete a Public Art Master Planning Process. With an understanding of the competition among Atlanta suburbs for residents and businesses, Duluth forged a new course in defining its character and translating that character into public art.
HOW
With an eye toward inclusive public outreach, the City of Duluth sought extensive public engagement. Designing Local facilitated a series of stakeholder meetings, two rounds of public workshops, and a custom-built online engagement tool that allowed residents to participate in the workshops remotely. Residents were also asked to submit photos using specific hashtags, as a way to encourage participation in the process and support data collection.
WHAT
The Duluth Public Art Master Plan, formally adopted in April 2015, provides an action plan for the city’s public art initiatives, many of which have now been implemented.
