01.31.24 BAC Presentation 3Public Art Action Items
January 31, 2024
•Review (and approval) of the 202 Public Art
Implementation Plan
•Approval of new Standing Selection Panel Member,
Howard Rubin
2024
Public Art Implementation Plan
Mission: The City of Boulder Public Art Program and its relating
policy support the commissioning of a wide variety of artworks
representing the most innovative approaches to contemporary
practice in the arts, works of enduring value, and projects that
cultivate a diversity of artists and arts experiences within the city of
Boulder.
Vision: The city will acquire works of art that encourage creativity,
contribute to a sense of place, spark conversation, tell our shared
stories and capture our moment in time, foster the enjoyment of
diverse works of art, and are thoughtfully designed contributions to
the urban environment of our vibrant city.
Acquisition Criteria
The following criteria shall be used by all review bodies when considering the acquisition of artwork by purchase, commission , or
donation. Additional criteria may be established at the discretion of the Office of Arts and Culture to meet the needs of ind ividual
projects. The criteria include:
1. Inherent Artistic Quality – The assessed aesthetic merit of the piece as an artwork, independent of other considerations.
2. Context – The compatibility of the artwork in scale, material, form, and content with its surroundings. Consideration should be given
to the architectural, historical, geographical, and social/cultural context of the site.
3. Ability to Install and Maintain – The anticipated ability of the artist to complete the artwork and considerations towards the city’s
ability to provide maintenance and conservation to maintain the asset over time. Considerations shall also apply to temporary projects.
4. Time Horizon of Artwork – The anticipated lifespan of the project and/or its host site.
5. Diversity – The city is committed to commissioning and acquiring artworks that reflect diverse perspectives and approaches to art. To
that end, the city shall seek opportunities accessible to a broad audience. The city shall seek artwork from artists of diverse racial,
gender, and cultural identities, and strive for diversity of experiences through a variety of styles, scales, narratives, and media. The city
shall also encourage both experimental and established art forms.
6. Uniqueness – To ensure that artwork will not be duplicated, the city shall require the artist to warrant that the work is unique and
limited to an edition of one unless stated to the contrary in a contract.
7. Collection – The proposed artwork shall be reviewed regarding how it fits into the collection and the program’s mission (above).
Arts Commission: The Arts Commission plays an active role in the public art process.
The Arts Commission initially will review and recommend Public Art Implementation Plans to the City
Manager. This serves as the work plan for Public Art Program staff.
Next, the Arts Commission will review individual city-initiated projects, donations, and non-temporary
community-initiated projects to ensure the Public Art Policy and process was followed appropriately. This
includes reviewing which artist(s) the project selection panel recommend and advancing that
recommendation to the city manager.
The Arts Commission reviews recommendations from the Standing Selection Panel concerning maintenance
and conservation projects which may include recommendations of either removal (deaccession) or
relocation. The Standing Selection Panel also reviews temporary art and donations before sending
recommendations to the Arts Commission.
At times, public art items may appear for discussion only on Arts Commission meeting agendas. Staff will also
provide non-agenda updates in the Arts Commission packet, such as information on project initiation,
confirmation of selection panel participants, project development and timelines, and budget tracking. Staff
will email updates of Standing Selection Panel reports to the Arts Commission. If Arts Commissioners have
questions, they should email staff in advance of the meeting.
Program Project Types
Percent for Art Commissions: Percent for art projects are funded through a percentage of the overall construction
budget of a qualifying city capital improvement program project, or parent project. Percent for art commissions are
permanent acquisitions for the city and are commonly tied to a particular location and have a narrative specific to the
site and criteria that can be accomplished entirely through a work of art. Each percent for art project will have a
community selection panel unique to that project in addition to the TRC.
Staff is responsible for confirming budgets, collaborating with departments on project overview, initiating and managing
the selection process, and leading community engagement as identified in the Public Art Policy, as well as project
management from contracting to installation.
Urban Design Commissions: Urban design commissions are slightly different from percent for art projects: These are
projects hosted and funded by the city through a parent project construction budget, as an enhancement to base
infrastructure with the goal of better addressing the criteria of the parent project through the tools of design and
aesthetics. Each urban design commission will include a community selection panel unique to that project, or in some
cases will utilize the Standing Selection Panel.
Similar to percent for art commissions, staff is responsible for confirming budgets and initiating and managing the
selection process and community engagement, but responsibilities for project management, from contracting to
installation, typically remain with the parent project.
Experiments in Public Art - Temporary Commissions: Experiments in Public Art is the umbrella name for city-
initiated temporary projects, commissions, and/or the loan of existing artworks. This program helps support
art forms that are temporary in nature and presented as public art experiences. The Standing Selection Panel
may be deployed for individual opportunities and for a program of multiple commissions.
Staff is responsible for confirming budgets, initiating and managing the selection process, leading community
engagement, as well as project management from contracting to installation to removal.
Murals: Murals are often 2D or relief artworks and quick to deploy. Murals may be either city-initiated or
community-initiated, and funding sources vary with each project. Murals are considered temporary, typically
with two-to-five-year duration agreements. Any murals that are hosted on city-maintained property or
involve city funding will be reviewed by the Standing Selection Panel.
Staff is responsible for confirming city funding, initiating and managing community engagement and assisting
with the selection process, as well as some project management and project agreements. Staff must also
notify mural artists of vandalism or mural removal.
Community-Initiated Projects: A successful Public Art Program requires an investment from the city and the
community. Projects initiated by the community include temporary art in public places, donations, murals, and other
concepts. The Office of Arts and Culture supports community-initiated projects that ultimately involve city property
and/or city funding. For an overview of the community-initiated donation process, please visit the Donations Policy at:
download (bouldercolorado.gov)
Most temporary community-initiated projects are reviewed by the Standing Selection Panel. In 2017, the Arts
Commission granted this authority to expedite goodwill and community spirit. This decision was reapproved by the Arts
Commission in 2020 and 2023.
Donations: Donations are existing works of art that are offered to the city by donors, with logistics such as location,
maintenance and appropriateness to be determined by the Standing Selection Panel and host department within the
city. Please visit the Donations Policy above.
Most temporary community-initiated projects are reviewed by the Standing Selection Panel. In 2017, the Arts
Commission granted this authority to expedite goodwill and community spirit. This decision was reapproved by the Arts
Commission in 2020 and 2023.
Staff is responsible for confirming project feasibility, providing updates to donors and impacted departments, supporting
donors with installation project management, and completing donation contracts.
Program Funding
Percent for Art (%4A)
In 2018, the Public Art Policy was updated to include Percent for Art allocations. One (1) percent of construction budgets
of qualifying new CIP, or capital improvement projects including new projects and enhancements, are allocated for the
express purpose of commissioning works of art. Funds are commonly tied to a particular location and a particular
timeline and cannot be reallocated without the consent of the parent department, the city’s finance department, and
the city manager. Projects are often multi-year, and their schedules (and public art’s share of the funding) are dependent
on many factors, including the city budget from year to year and master planning for collaborating city departments
(Transportation, Parks and Recreation, Facilities and Fleet), and thus do not offer a consistent or reliable source of funds.
CIP projects typically emerge annually, and a more advanced understanding of the master plans and wish lists from each
collaborating department would help the Public Art program schedule projects, anticipate budgets, and build
sustainability.
General Fund (GF)
General Fund allocations support strategy programming and temporary programs like Experiments in Public Art and the
Creative Neighborhoods Program. These funds are most suitable for temporary projects, and they must be used or
“encumbered” within the year they are allocated.
Program Funding
Central Access General Improvement District (CAGID)
CAGID fund allocations support projects and programming within the district boundaries, or in and adjacent to the city’s
parking garages. These funds could be suitable for temporary or permanent projects. Staff must go before the CAGID
Board to request funding and they must be used or “encumbered” within the year they are allocated.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal funding will support recovery from COVID -19 and could support restoring
funding to the following programs: Maintenance, Temporary/Experiments in Public Art, and Creative Neighborhoods:
COVID-19 Work Projects. We currently have $10,000 left in this fund to continue Experiments in Public Art projects in
conjunction with Farm to Spaceship. These remaining funds must be spent in 2024.
Community, Culture, Safety Tax (CCS)
Boulder's Community, Culture, Resilience & Safety (CCRS) Tax supports citywide capital infrastructure investments as well
as dedicates 10% of revenues for community non-profit grants. Council approved $1.9 million mid-year in 2022 to kick-
start capital projects such as multimodal transportation projects and the enterprise data platform and, with adoption of
the 2023 Budget, Council approved $29.6 million in 2023 for several key CCRS infrastructure projects. The public art
program would receive 1% of these funds that can be added to other percent for art funds.
Future Funding Opportunities – The following areas have been identified as areas to explore for future funding:
* 2A Funding (to begin in 2025)
* Public Art in Private Development
* Donations
Recent Accomplishments
* Implementation of Percent for Art policy (2018). Staff is considering reviewing and redrafting portions of the policy in
2024-2025 to better streamline and enforce the intent of the policy.
* Five permanent installations completed, including:
Mural at George Reynolds Branch Library, Marco Garcia
30th and Colorado Underpass Urban Design, Rose Fivian
55 Degrees, permanent public artwork in Civic Area, Adam Kuby
(George Reynolds Library Mural by Marco Garcia)
Recent Accomplishments
* 10 completed temporary art installations in 2023:
Experiments in Public Art: nine Farm to Spaceship projects, one Social Streets project
* Six active, “in-process” permanent public art projects underway: 19th and Upland Urban Design, Fire Station 3,
North Boulder Branch Library, North Boulder Corridor Project, and Valmont Rain Garden; and the Alpine -
Balsam *Western City Campus is kicking off in March 2024.
* One community-initiated project completed, 2023: Temple of Tranquility
* Two community-initiated/donated projects are in process: Los Seis de Boulder Memorial and the Boulder Strong
Memorial.
(Temple of Tranquility, Community Initiated project at Harlow Platts Community Park in Boulder,
October 14 – November 4, 2023)
Recent Accomplishments
* Ongoing public art and permitting process review with the city’s departments of Planning and Development,
Attorneys Office, and Finance.
*Two new members added to the Standing Selection Panel.
*Deaccession of the artistic bike rack at 12th and Walnut.
* Hiring of a Public Art Program Coordinator.
* Hiring of Collection Auditor to assist with the auditing, organization, and preparation of the collection for a city
database management tool, and the Public Art Archive. This work will lead to the implementation of the Accessible
Signage Plan.
* Relocation of over 100 artworks from the City’s Atrium Building to the Community Vitality Building.
* Assisting with the Design Guidelines for the Civic Area Historic District.
* Assisting other City departments with ad-hoc urban design, public art, and community engagement projects,
including the Social Streets Initiative, Open Space signage and trailhead initiatives and design elements within the Civic
Area.
Anticipated Timelines
The following is an anticipated timeline for known projects for 2024-2026, including projects tracking for completion in 2024.
2024 2025 2026
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
CCS: Civic Area Phase II
%4A: Fire Station 2
%4A: Fire Station 4
%4A: Pearl Street Mall Refresh
%4A: Violet Park
CCS: North Boulder (NoBo) Library
CCS: North Boulder Corridor
GF: Los Seis de Boulder Community Project
CCS: Creative Neighborhoods: Murals
GF: Creative Neighborhoods Murals
GF: Creative Neighborhoods COVID
%4A: Alpine-Balsam W. City Campus
CCSv2: Fire Station 3
%4A: 19th and Upland
GF: Experiments in Public Art
CAGID: 11th and Spruce Garage
CAGID: Art in Garages Program
GF: Maintenance and Conservation
Planning
Selection
Design
Fabrication
Install
Study/Review
(Donation/Maintenance)
In Process Public Art Projects
The following projects are “in-process,” and several are tracking to be
completed this year.
19th and Upland Underpass
Artwork Location(s) –Underpass at 19th and Upland
Project Budget - $51,700 (all inclusive)
Selected Artist: Anthony Garcia Jr., Birdseed Collective (Denver, CO)
Project Status
Parent Project Design Process, art
project is currently on hold until the
parent project design is complete.
North Boulder Corridor
Project Budget - Project Budget – $175,000 total (all-inclusive)
Selected Artist: Sharon Dowell (Charlotte, NC)
Project Status – Preliminary Design
Preliminary Design: 2018 - 2023
Project was on hold intermittently to sync
with North Boulder area construction
delays and approvals.
Next phase, engineering and then
fabrication and installation, hopefully by
end of 2024.
(Images: Artist Sharon Dowell’s proposed renderings for NoBo bridge and bus shelters)
North Boulder Branch Library
Project Budget – $260,000 total (all-inclusive)
Selected Artist – Daily tous les jours (Montreal, Quebec)
Project Status – Fabrication, Installation
anticipated by summer of 2024.
Fire Station 3
Project Budget –$65,000 (all inclusive)
Budget Source: Community, Culture, and Safety Tax
Selected Artist –
Mike Clapper (Denver, CO)
Project Status:
Project is anticipated to be completed by the
end of 2024.
11th and Spruce Parking Garage
Project Budget - $122,500 (all inclusive)
Budget Source: CAGID funding
Selected Artists –
David Franklin (Indianola, WA)
Project Status
Assessing engineering of walls and windows in garage to
ensure feasibility and safety of art installation.
Valmont Rain Garden
Project Budget – $18,750 (all-inclusive)
Selected Artists –
Gregory Fields (Lafayette, CO)
Project Status
Engineering
Upcoming Public Art Projects
The following project is set to begin this year.
Alpine-Balsam Western City Campus
Boulder City Council adopted the Alpine-Balsam Area Plan in the fall of 2019. The plan’s intent is to renovate the
Medical Office Pavilion for city services and redevelop the eastern portion of the site as a new consolidated Western
City Campus. Design work began in 2022 (delayed by pandemic) to advance development of the site for this purpose
and to provide a mix of housing types from affordable to market rate. The redevelopment of the 8.8-acre site is being
completed in collaboration with Boulder Housing Partners and includes a new greenway, new streets and pedestrian
connection infrastructure, renovations to the existing parking structure in addition to work on the Pavilion building.
Alpine-Balsam Western City Campus
Project Budget – Commission Budget: ~$1,200,000* (all-inclusive) | Budget Source: Government Capital
Fund/Facilities Renovation and Replacement; Project Type: CIP-CAPITAL ENHANCEMENT
*Hard costs based on schematic costs estimates and may vary slightly from final costs which will be determined in
2024
-Potential to open several different calls for different types of art with a variety of budgets ranging from $25,000 to
$500,000 per artwork.
-Honorarium budgets: Up to $1,500 for each proposal; Potential to spend ~$18,000 on honorariums.
-Contingency: Approximately 10- 20% of final budget
Selection Participants – In Q1 of 2024, staff will finish assembling a community
selection panel and a technical review committee. This work is almost
complete.
The Community Selection Panel will consist of:
> Maria Cole, Arts Commissioner
> Helen Masvikeni, Artist
> Leah Brenner Clack, Arts Professional
> Liz Compos, Community Member
> Ian Swallow, Community Member
Creative Neighborhoods and Other
Programs and Projects
Creative Neighborhoods: Murals
Project Introduction – Murals and street art are incredible tools to
communicate the personality and pulse of a community. These
artworks bring together an array of communities, are quick to deploy,
and have lasting impact with minimal upkeep. The updated mural
roster will be key to kicking-off the Creative Neighborhoods Mural
Program in 2024. This program, in addition to the artist roster, will
match private residential property owners and local community
groups with muralists and potential supporting funds.
Artwork Location(s) – Future locations to be determined.
Project Budget – Staff is identifying funds for 2024 to 2027, including
the new 2A funding set to start in 2025.
Anticipated Timeline – Murals are considered ad hoc and
temporary artworks. The mural roster open call will be published in
January 2024, with applications accepted into February 224.
Selection Process– The Standing Selection Panel and/or Technical
Review Committee will select and/or approve artists for projects.
Image: Creative Neighborhoods community event
Experiments in Public Art
The Public Art Program manages an ongoing series of temporary artworks through the Experiments in Public Art
program, which serves as a citywide laboratory to expand the potential of public art. Unlike a traditional public art
commission, Experiments in Public Art projects are as much an experiment for the community as they are
opportunities for artists to work within unconventional parameters. Participating artists are selected, in part, by
incorporating concepts and materials that extend beyond the notion of traditional public art.
This is the most diverse program within the Public Art Program. It is designed to have layers of outcomes built into its
framework and emphasize collaborations across communities and disciplines. This program creates a tool for artists
and the community to respond to challenging community events and can be linked to other arts and culture events.
Experiments in Public Art also can provide opportunities to explore and inform race equity, all ages and abilities
access, and climate justice and resilience goals, as well as the Cultural Plan, Percent for Art projects, and the existing
collection.
We have $10,400 still remaining to spend from ARPA funds in 2024. The Farm to Spaceship Accelerator is working
with local firm Berger & Fohr on a potential project for this summer, and an additional $50,000 might be requested
from CAGID Board to realize this idea. The Standing Selection Panel has also been considering an artist residency
program using General Fund monies. This residency would invite local, national and even international artists to
come to Boulder to share the work they are making around social issues such as climate change, immigration, and
the unhoused populations.
Community Initiated Projects
Community-initiated concept proposals and/or works of art may be presented to the
City of Boulder. All proposals and/or donations must be submitted to the Office of Arts
and Culture by the proposing party. Any works proposed for exhibition exceeding two
years will be considered a donation and will adhere to the donation process identified in
the Public Art Policy.
Community-initiated concept proposals shall contain all aspects of a project abstract:
Project Introduction, Preferred Location, Anticipated Budget and Funding Strategy,
Anticipated Timeline, Community Feedback, and Context and Themes. In addition,
project concepts must be reviewed and endorsed by all affected departments and/or
site/facility owners before inclusion in the final Public Art Implementation Plan. The
inclusion of a community-initiated concept in the draft or final implementation plan
does not guarantee that a project will be funded or proceed to the selection phase.
Boulder Strong Memorial Project
Project Introduction – The Boulder Strong Memorial is a proposed landmark artwork to
honor those affected by the King Soopers shooting. Funding has yet to be identified,
either in the city or through private donation. The Boulder String Community
Stakeholder Team has been meeting for the past two years. The team hopes to build out
the project timeline and budget after a site has been approved by the city.
Proposed Artwork Location – None identified.
Proposed Project Budget – The budget will be determined as contextually appropriate;
some private contributions may be available.
Anticipated Timeline – The timeline has yet to be determined.
Project Status – Community outreach and planning.
Los Seis de Boulder Memorial Project/Donation by
Jasmine Baetz
Project Introduction – Los Seis de Boulder sculpture will be installed at
17th and Pearl and commemorates the Chicano student activists who
were killed in a car bomb at 28th and Canyon in 1974.
Proposed Artwork Location – Southeast corner of 17th and Pearl.
Previous work to site the work at 28th and Canyon was unsuccessful.
Project Budget – The project budget is currently utilizing maintenance
funds and CAGID District Improvement funds. Currently staff is
spending $20,000 for a site plan, permitting, installation of the footer
and installation of the sculpture.
Selected Artist – Jasmine Baetz
Anticipated Timeline – Installation in spring 2024.
Project Status – Permitting by project team and staff is
underway.
Art in Garages Program
Introduction – The Central Area General Improvement District (CAGID) Art in Garages Program is an initiative to redefine
the art that addresses the moment of entry through compelling temporary and permanent creative commissions across
Boulder’s publicly-accessible parking garages. This program takes into account the Community Priorities for Culture and
other recommendations for public art found in the Community Cultural Plan. This program was put on hold during the
COVID pandemic and only one permanent project was commissioned as part of the program, the 11 th and Spruce parking
garage public art, noted above in this plan. The current plan is to relaunch this program in 2024 with involvement from the
Standing Selection Panel and the Boulder Arts Commission, as well as the CAGID Board and Community Vitality staff.
Selected Artist – To be determined
Context and Theme – This program has a unique opportunity to enhance and support the overall economy of Boulder’s
downtown. Additional community comments include:
•Place artwork where it can be enjoyed by the most viewers/participants.
•Help garages to feel safer; introduce creative experiences while keeping flow through garage spaces.
•Ensuring safety is the top priority.
•Projects that are compelling from different users and vantage points that do not compete with the functionality of the
structures, instead engage with the whole site including integrated transit stops and pedestrian access points.
2024 Public Art Maintenance
and Conservation
* 2019 Condition Survey complete and will
inform projects for 2024-2027
* 2D collection condition reporting and
relocation (Ongoing)
* Approximately $30,000 annually is invested in
maintaining the public art collection. This figure will
hopefully rise with the addition of 2A funding next
year.
What to Watch for in 2024
1. Kick-off of the Alpine-Balsam Western City Campus Project, which will
likely include 3-5 distinct projects.
2. Free, summer public art tours along Pearl St. Mall and in Civic Area.
3. More presence in Arts + Culture e-newsletter.
4. Audit of Collection and uploaded to City asset management tool and
Public Art Archive by end of year.
5. Revisions to the Public Art Policy and signed by current City Manager.
6. Four projects completed by end of year; Valmont Rain Garden, NoBo
Branch Library, North Broadway Corridor, and Fire Station 3.
7. New Mural Roster completed ready for potential Creative
Neighborhoods projects.
8. Installation of “Los Seis” along Pearl St.
QUESTIONS/COMMENTS?
Recommended Motion:
“I move that the Public Art Implementation Plan be
recommended to the City Manager for approval”.
New Standing Selection Panel
Member
Howard Rubin, of Boulder, CO is excited to join the
Standing Selection Panel to replace Gabrielle
Schuller.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, CU Boulder, 1998
•Howard Rubin is an award-winning marketing executive with more than 20 years of
experience on the front lines of brand building for some of the most important
consumer brands in the world.
•From 1999 through 2018, Rubin ascended through Action Marketing Group to become
President, followed by a Partner role at Match Marketing.
•Rubin is best known for his oversight and activation of strategy and creativity coupled
with consumer insights–from event development and management, to mass media
activations, to guerilla activations, to retail marketing and promotions, to mobile tours,
and PR events and stunts for well known brands including adidas, Nike, Stella
McCartney, Diageo, Levi’s, Microsoft Xbox, LG, ESPN, Ford, Toyota, Pepsi, The Climate
Reality Project, Comcast, TBS, Cartoon Network, Heineken and for several years both
the National Basketball Association and Major League Soccer.
Proposed Motion:
“I move that we approve Howard Rubin
to join the Standing Selection Panel, bringing
the membership number up to five.”