Meeting_Body
SYSTEM SAFETY, SECURITY AND OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
MAY 17, 2018
Subject
SUBJECT: PUBLIC ART STATE OF GOOD REPAIR UPDATE
Action
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE Annual Report on the Phased Art Asset Management Program.
Issue
ISSUE
At its May 2017 meeting, the Board directed staff to initiate a phased approach to Art Asset Management for existing and new lines. This report provides the requested annual report on these activities.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
There are currently 168 permanent artworks integrated into the design and infrastructure of operating Metro stations and facilities throughout the Los Angeles County. These artworks were commissioned and developed through a community based process and are an important part of the customer experience. Like other assets in the Metro system, integrated artworks are subject to wear and tear of time and use and require special attention and care to ensure their state of good repair and aesthetic integrity. To address this need, and as outlined in the May 2017 Board adopted action, staff is focusing on the oldest artworks in the system first and is applying lessons learned to new lines.
Blue Line
Metro initiated art asset management on the 25+ year old Blue Line and prioritized available resources to address the line’s backlog of deferred artwork maintenance and repairs, and capital funds have been secured for several refurbishments and replacements. The Blue Line now has a dedicated staff person assigned to art asset management and annual artwork inspections and professional condition assessments of each of the artworks have been completed. Seven artwork repairs have been completed, capital artwork refurbishment projects have been initiated, and regular ongoing care and maintenance is now underway (Attachment B). Consultants, including artists, conservators, fabricators and other specialized technicians, assist with this work to ensure these unique assets achieve and retain a state of good repair moving forward. Metro Art staff is also working closely with Construction on capital improvement projects along the line.
Metro collaborates with artists and community members for the engagement as part of the Blue Line art asset management process. These community partners have been included in discussions regarding art refurbishments, removals and new commissions. Staff recently arranged a special artist-led Blue Line tour for Cal State Dominguez Hills students and is working with UCLA Design Thinking students on potential new ways to provide information on the unique stories behind the artworks along the line. Staff has also met with the Citizens Advisory Council regarding art asset management activities to ensure their involvement and feedback.
Red Line
The next line to be phased into regular ongoing art asset management is the Red Line, which reached a 25-year mark earlier this year. There are a significant number of artworks that are in need of assessment and repair. Additional staff resources to begin to address deferred artwork detailed inspections, condition assessments, and minor repairs are included in the FY19 proposed budget.
Next_steps
NEXT STEPS
Staff will continue to pursue the adopted phased art asset management program and will work to ensure their state of good repair and aesthetic integrity of the systems art assets as resourced. Staff will work cross-departmentally to apply lessons learned and to ensure that professional care and management of artworks is included in future operational plans and will continue to provide an annual report on the phased art asset management program implementation as directed by the Board.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Annual Report on Phased Art Asset Management
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Maya Emsden, Deputy Executive Officer (213) 922-2720
Reviewed_by
Reviewed by: Pauletta Tonilas, Chief Communications Officer, (213) 922-3777