Operational Policy 5 — Public Art

Queens, Nova Scotia

This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document. Snapshot 5558101f03a9 · verified 2026-06-05 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

Approved by Council: December 13, 2022 1 Region of Queens Municipality Policy 5 - Public Art Policy Statement Region of Queens Municipality recognizes that public art in a municipal setting helps create thought-provoking, culturally vibrant spaces that celebrate and express the diversity of our communities and cultures while promoting social connectivity and cohesion. Public art also enhances how people experience a place, contributing to its mood, safety, and accessibility. By encouraging public art, Region of Queens Municipality is supporting the local arts community and contributing to Queens County being a destination for visitors and new residents. Policy Objective To establish parameters around the selection, purchase, maintenance, and official removal of public art. Policy Details Funding 1. Municipal Departments with their own budget may opt to use a portion of their budget for the procurement of public art with the approval of the Chief Administrative Officer. 2. Should Municipal Council wish to purchase public art under this policy, funding for the installation must be determined during the operating budget development process establishing the purchase. 3. Maintenance costs for public art will be incorporated into each department's annual operating budget that has public art. Purchased Art Selection Process 4. Region of Queens Municipality may purchase public art by publishing a Call for Proposals, or contracting an artist directly, if the budget for the public art creation and installation is designated with the Municipality's budget for that year or a future year. Approved by Council: December 13, 2022 2 5. Final selection of public art shall be done by the Chief Administrative Officer with input from the applicable Municipal Department and the Diversity and Inclusion Action Team when deemed necessary. 6. Artists will be selected on the following criteria: a. Qualifications as demonstrated on past work b. Appropriateness of the proposal in relation to the project c. Monetary/appraised value d. Timeline and probability of successful completion e. Suitability of the artistic work for display in a public space f. Relevance to Queens County's landscape, cultural heritage, and/or history g. Input from Queens County residents in purchases being done via a Call for Proposals Donated Art 7. Region of Queens Municipality may accept donations of art or donations of funds intended for public art installations. 8. Should one be necessary, any donation shall be accompanied by a maintenance plan supplied by the artist or donor. 9. All donations must be unencumbered and the location of the installation is at the discretion of the Municipality. 10. All donations that receive tax receipts must meet Canadian Revenue Agency requirements and any appraisals are to be done at the donor's expense and shall be reviewed by the Director of Corporate Services. 11. Region of Queens Municipality reserves the right to decline to consider or accept any gift, bequest, or donation of art. Borrowed Art 12. Region of Queens Municipality will not borrow temporary public art. Agreements and Maintenance 13. Following the approval of the purchase of public art, the artist and Region of Queens Municipality will enter into a written agreement outlining the obligations of both parties during the lifespan of the art work, which may include, but are not limited to: a. Scope of work b. Materials c. Timelines Approved by Council: December 13, 2022 3 d. Installation e. Maintenance f. Warranty g. Copyright and moral rights h. Payment and sub-contracting i. Insurance j. Unveiling k. Artist recognition 14. Region of Queens Municipality is responsible for coordinating the installation of all owned public art. 15. All artistic works owned by Region of Queens Municipality may be insured under the Region of Queens Municipality's insurance policy. Removal of Public Art 16. Region of Queens Municipality may remove and dispose of public art whenever necessary.