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POLICY
1. Introduction
Visually beautiful towns stimulate a sense of pride and commitment. Through its Public Art Policy, the
Town of Shelburne strives to create vibrant public spaces that reflect the diversity of our community,
and engage its residents and visitors with quality works of public art. The intent of the Public Art Policy
is to guide the development of a public art program in the Town of Shelburne, to make public art a
priority in the Town's continued growth and development, and to maintain public art as a valuable asset
to the community.
The Public Art Policy encourages the Town to increase public awareness of Public Art and provide
opportunities for the public to engage in the public art process. Public Art is associated with place-
making, community building and economic development. Public Art adds to the identity and quality of
the civic landscape; enriches our experience of public spaces; pays tribute to particular sites, individuals
and events; builds civic pride; fosters community and enhances the Town's cultural heritage.
2. Purpose
This policy articulates the planning, funding, selection, care and maintenance of Public Art.
The intent of this policy is to:
Create vibrant public spaces for residents and visitors
Enhance the Town's appeal and attractiveness
Reflect the diversity of our community
Celebrate our shared cultural heritage
Strengthen neighbourhood and community ties
Provide opportunities for local artists
3. Definitions
Artist: refers to the designer/creator of a piece of artwork and can include, but is not limited to,
professional artists, graphic designers, collaborative teams, community groups, architects, landscape
designers, or individuals.
De-accessioning: refers to the process of permanently removing a piece of Public Art from a site or from
the Town's permanent art collection
Professional Artist: an artist defined as "any person, who by virtue of professional training, exhibition
history and/or critical review is recognized as skilled in making works of art." (UNESCO)
TOWN OF SHELBURNE
Public Art Policy
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Public Art: works that are created by artists and acquired by/donated to the Town with the specific
intention of being situated in a public space. Works of public art may be permanent acquisitions and
may be characterized as aesthetic, functional, interactive, or any combination thereof, and created using
any material or any combination of media, including but not limited to sculptures, water features,
paintings, drawings, textiles, furnishings, installations, and kinetic works.
Public Space: refers to the space that is available and frequently used by the public within the public
domain and can include, but is not limited to Community-Use Facilities, Memorials and Cemeteries,
Parks & Recreational Properties, Tenant-Occupied Properties, Streets and street right-of-ways, Town
Facilities, and Undeveloped Lots.
4. Roles
Town Staff will assist in policy development, research, community development, tourism, fundraising,
work planning, circulating information, and overall guidance. Staff will work to liaise with various
community organizations and artists, investigate sources of funding, maintain Public Art, and provide
the public with notification of installations or de-accessioning of Art.
Town Council will promote public art throughout the community, approve policy related to Public Art
and make any warranted changes. Council will consider recommendations for proposed Public Art
projects from the Community Participation & Volunteerism Committee and budget funds in support of
Public Art in accordance with this policy.
Community Participation & Volunteerism Committee (CP & V) will assist in the jurying process for
Public Art proposals, discuss ideas for Public Art and Community involvement in the Public Art process,
and make recommendations to Council.
5. Funding Strategy
Funding to support the Public Art Policy will be provided through the establishment of a Public Art
Reserve Fund. Town Council will commit $7,500 annually to the Public Art Reserve Fund from
operations and this funding model will be re-evaluated at the end of the initial four year period (2017-
2021).
Funds allocated to the Public Art Reserve Fund will be used for the design, fabrication, installation,
maintenance, and de-accessioning of public artworks. These artworks will be chosen through an
objective jurying process by the CP & V Committee and can incorporate public input. The Public Art
Reserve Fund will also be used to leverage funding from other governmental and private sources.
6. Submission and Selection Process
The Town of Shelburne has the options of publishing a Call for Proposals or contracting known artists for
Public Art projects. Proposals may be accepted through Open Competition, Limited Competition, or
Invitation. When a call for proposals is issued, or in consideration of unsolicited proposals from artists,
artists will be selected based on their qualifications as demonstrated by past work, appropriateness of
their proposal to the particular project, maintenance plans, and probability of successful completion.
Proposals will be brought to the CP & V Committee for consideration. The CP & V Committee may
choose to seek public opinion on proposed Public Art projects prior to forwarding their
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recommendations to Council. Exclusions to the above may include: Student Artwork, group art projects,
community art projects, or beautification.
Selection Criteria may include, but is not limited to, the following:
Relevance
Harmony with the Town's natural and/or built environment, and/or heritage
Craftsmanship
Appropriate Materials
Artistic Merit
Sustainability and Maintenance for display in a public place
Use of land/location
Upon Council's approval of a Public Art proposal, the successful artist will enter into a written
agreement that will address the artist's obligations including, but not limited to:
The scope of the work
Materials
Timeline
Installation
Maintenance or Conservation Plans
Warranty
Copyright
Payments to sub-contractors (if applicable)
Ethical and legal consideration regarding ownership
This written agreement will also provide the Town's obligations such as:
o Payment
o Community Notification
o Artist Recognition
The Town of Shelburne reserves the right to decline any gift, bequest or donation of Art at its sole
discretion.
7. Site Selection Considerations
The Town of Shelburne will coordinate the site selection of appropriate locations for the installation of
public art on municipally owned public space. Site selection will consider relevance to the Town of
Shelburne's natural and built environment, cultural Heritage, and/or history. The Town of Shelburne
will take into consideration heritage and historic issues when reviewing proposed artworks. The
purpose of public art installations would to better the enjoyment of the Town by residents and visitors
while moving forward in development.
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8. Ongoing Care and Responsibilities
Maintenance
All acquisitions will be accompanied by a maintenance plan that is supplied by the Artist/Donor. The
management of the collection will be the responsibility of the Town of Shelburne with the professional
practice of Public Works and/or specialists as required. An inventory of art will be created and
maintained by the Town Clerk which states materials, construction, location, site conditions, and other
information about the artwork and artist.
Insurance
Insurance of Public Art pieces will be at the discretion of the Town of Shelburne.
De-Accessioning
An assessment will be made and reviewed by the CP & V Committee which will in turn justify a
recommendation to Council regarding the de-accessioning of a piece of art.
Public Art can be de-accessioned under any of the following conditions:
o The work of art is deteriorating and restoration is not feasible
o Town property is undergoing a change in use or construction/renovation
o The work of art is discovered to be stolen, or was offered to the Town for acquisition
using fraudulent means
September 6th, 2017
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Approved By Council
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Julie Ferguson, Town Clerk