For City Council Meeting [April 10, 2018]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Robb R. Steel, Interim City Administrator
FROM: Perry Brents, Director of Community Services
Title
Request City Council to Approve the Designation of an Art Park and the installation of art along Willow Avenue South of First Street for the National Endowment for the Arts Grant and Adopt Budget Resolution No. 7317 Authorizing expenditures of program grant funds.
Body
BACKGROUND:
On January 23, 2018, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 7275 Accepting the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant for $20,000 with local in-kind contributions for $20,000, for a total of $40,000.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
In coordination with Eisenhower High School, the City received an art piece designed by students to display in a future art park in the City. This agenda item seeks to have City Council consider acceptance of the proposed Art Park Designation along with installation of subject art piece. Approval of the art park and art piece is critical to meet adherence of the NEA grant, and provide the necessary reporting to the National Endowment for the Arts to complete the process. A site plan depicting the proposed art park location along with a photo of the art piece is included as Attachment 1.
A creative arts and culture program, the Art for LIFE Project supports the design of a public art piece depicting the cultural history of the City. The grant proposal called for an art park with paths and performing art spaces that are wheelchair-accessible, braille interpretive plaques throughout the sculptural park (as well as artworks that allow tactile interaction) and attentiveness to visibility of sign-language interpreters in the space. The project is principally provided to educate, engage and promote livability among disadvantaged and commonly underserved populations through community engagement, meaningful dialogue and purposeful design of open space (universal and landsca...
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