Art Commission NEWS
Public Art E-Newsletter
The Public Art Commission will be e-mailing our first e-newsletter later this month. The e-newsletter will feature updates on current public art projects and provide subscribers other information related to the city’s public art program. Please send your email address to aseagraves@a2gov.org with “Public Art E-Newsletter” in the subject line and you will be included in the mailing list.
Fairy door art by Jonathan Wright
ABOUT US
The Ann Arbor Public Art Commission
The Commission (AAPAC) is the oversight body for public art in the city and the city’s funding of public art. They determine what public art projects to pursue, establish public art project budgets, and select artists to create public art. The Commission is composed of nine members appointed by the Mayor for 3-year terms.
The mission of the Ann Arbor Public Art Commission (AAPAC) is to create public art in Ann Arbor that improves the aesthetic quality of public spaces and structures, provides for cultural and recreational opportunities, contributes to local heritage, stimulates economic activity, and promotes the general welfare of the community.
AAPAC monthly meeting are open to the public and held the fourth Wednesday of every month, 4:30 p.m. Location: 301 East Huron St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Agendas and minutes the Ann Arbor Public Art Commission meetings are stored on the Legistar Calendar.
- AAPAC Commissioners
- Connie Brown, Designer
- Marsha Chamberlin, Arts Professional (Chair)
- Tony Derezinski, City Council Liaison
- Cathy Gendron, Artist/Illustrator
- John Kotarski, Educator
- Bob Miller, Realtor & Builder
- Wiltrud Simbuerger, Architectural Designer
- Malverne Winborne, Educator
- Theresa Reid, U-M ArtsEngine, Executive Director
AAPAC Administrator
Aaron Seagraves, Public Art Administrator
Phone: 734.794.6310 x 43730
E-mail: aseagraves@a2gov.org
What is Ann Arbor’s Percent for Art Ordinance?
In 2007, Ann Arbor’s City Council unanimously passed an ordinance stipulating that all capital improvement projects funded wholly or partly by the City will include funds for public art equal to one percent of the project construction costs, to a maximum of $250,000 per capital improvement project. Public art may be located at the capital improvement site, or can be installed at other locations. Public art must relate to the funding source of the capital improvement.
Project Planning, Selection and Design Process
- Each year in April AAPAC creates a Public Art Plan setting priorities for how public funds are used. The plan is forwarded to City Council for acceptance. In setting those priorities, AAPAC takes into consideration its own overarching public art goals, City planning priorities and community input. AAPAC works with City staff to determine funding sources, project management approach and to receive feedback on the appropriateness of the project. If AAPAC votes to support the project, at a preliminary level, a task force (for larger projects) or a champion (for smaller projects) is formed. With City staff and task force approval, AAPAC then develops the RFQ/RFP. The task force and the AAPAC administrator identify and coordinate a selection committee. AAPAC will be asked to approve the recommendation of the selection committee and, for projects over $25,000, City Council support is needed.
GET INVOLVED
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Support local art projects with a donation, help to organize a neighborhood public art project, volunteer to serve on an AAPAC sub-committee or offer suggestions for public art themes and locations. If you'd like to suggest ideas for public art projects--you may submit to us this Project Intake Form (PDF). We'd love to hear from you.
For more information or to send us your thoughts you can email Aaron Seagraves at aseagraves@a2gov.org or write to us at:
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Ann Arbor Public Art Commission (AAPAC)
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c/o Public Services Administration
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301 E Huron St, PO Box 8647
- Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8647
Ann Arbor Justice Center Interior Artwork
This interior installation is in the proposal stage and calls for a suspended piece to hang in the south west corner of the Justice Center Lobby. In January, the Ann Arbor Public Art Commission selected artist Ed Carpenter, of Portland, Oregon, and his proposed artwork design, for the art project (the selection is subject to City Council approval).
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Mural Project
- The City of Ann Arbor Public Art Commission (AAPAC) has proposed Pilot Mural Program. The location for the first mural of the program is Allmendinger Park.
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- Allmendinger Park is an 8-acre park located on Pauline Boulevard between Hutchins and Edgewood. The park contains softball fields, a restroom facility and water fountain, a play area nestled in an Oak and Hickory grove, picnic tables, a tennis court, grass volleyball court, and basketball court. The park is a frequently used neighborhood asset and is a location for a variety of leisure activities. A park shelter will be the surface on which the mural will be placed. The shelter houses a small all-purpose room and restrooms.
The Ann Arbor Public Art Commission selected artist Mary Thiefels, and her proposed artwork design, for the art project.
Stadium Bridges
Public art plans have begun for the location of the bridge replacements on East Stadium Street, over South State Street and the Ann Arbor Railroad. A Project Development Task Force has begun the planning and development of the public art project.
Kingsley and First, rain garden
A city project is underway to design and install a rain garden on the corner of West Kingsley Street and First Street. At the November meeting, AAPAC approved the planning and development of a public art project within the rain garden.
Argo Cascades
The recently completed Argo Cascades is being considered as a site for public art. The Public Art Commission approved the project at the April meeting. A Project Development Task Force is drafting a Statement of Qualifications document for release later this year.
Title: TreeFORMS
- Artist: Travis Pelletier
- Location: West Park
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- Title: Untitled
- Artist: Herbert Dreiseitl
- Location: Municipal Center Plaza
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- Ann Arbor on the CultureNOW website
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CultureNOW-Museum Without Walls is an interactive map of public art located across the country. http://www.culturenow.org/
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Go to the top
ARTIST RESOURCES
- Go to the top
Golden Paintbrush Awards
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MISSION AND CRITERIA
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AAPAC presents the Golden Paintbrush Awards to citizens, businesses, and organizations that have encouraged art in public places in Ann Arbor. Special awards have been given to artists or community members who have given much of their life to the visual arts in Ann Arbor. The awards are presented annually in June. Nominations are accepted all year and may be sent to AAPAC c/o Aaron Seagraves, Public Art Administrator. There is no limit to how many can be given each year. They were begun by CAPP in 2000.
Golden Paintbrush Nomination Form (pdf)
2011 Winners
Mary Thiefels, Treetown Murals...................................Peacework Mural, Main & Ashley
Peter & Doug Allen, Peter Allen & Associates..............stone formations on North Main
John Magner............................................................. Blimpy Burger snowbears
2010 Winners
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Rotations, Doug Hollis................................................... UM Hospital Systems
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Building Facade............................................................ Abracadabra
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Citizen’s Award............................................................. Tamara Real
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2009 Winners
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- Great Lakes Ecosystems Mosaic Murals ........................ Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Modern Translations Historic Inspirations Mural ............... Ann Arbor Art Center
Mastodon Mural project.................................................. Slauson Middle School
Urban Forest Project ..................................................... Detroit Chapter AIGA
Community Award ......................................................... Shary Brown