Meeting_Body
CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 17, 2015
Subject/Action
SUBJECT: MAINTENANCE OF WAY BUILDING ART PROGRAM
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE the Maintenance of Way Building Art Program Outreach and Community Engagement Report in response to the July 23, 2015 Board directive (Attachment A).
Issue
ISSUE
With the approval of the Design/Build contract for the Maintenance of Way Building, the Metro Board directed staff to report on the outreach and engagement process for incorporation of art into the facility including the following elements: (1) forming a selection panel including Downtown-based art professionals to select the artist to work on the Maintenance of Way Facility; (2) soliciting larger Arts District and community feedback for consideration in artist selection from the existing Metro prequalified pool; and (3) coordination with the project’s Design Advisory Group. This report responds to the Board directive.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Background
The Metro Art program was established to improve the customer experience, enhance the visual quality of the transit system and contribute to a sense of community identity. The program seeks to commission a diverse range of contemporary artists to create high quality, site-specific contemporary artworks that connect people, sites, and neighborhoods. Outreach and community engagement are a hallmark of the program.
Selection Panel
Metro Art has assembled an Artist Selection Panel consisting of highly regarded local arts professionals with demonstrated knowledge of contemporary visual art and strong familiarity with the Arts District. The panel includes highly respected visual artists, art curators and art educators that live and/or work downtown in the Arts District. All Metro procurements, including Artist selections, adhere to Metro and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requirements.
Soliciting larger Arts District and community feedback
Metro Art has a strong track record of working with artists and communities. In keeping with this practice, staff will solicit information on the community including cultural context, historical events, archival images, etc. from community representatives. This information will be shared with the panelists and will also be provided to the selected artist for creative inspiration during artwork concept development. Additional community engagement will occur once the artwork has been commissioned and during the fabrication and installation process. Past examples have included artist talks, presentations, workshops, exhibitions, and VIP Behind the Scenes tours. Metro Art will contact Arts District community organizations and educational institutions that may be interested in helping host an event.
Coordination with Project Design Advisory Group
Metro Art staff will work with the Maintenance of Way Project Team and Design Builder to explore how an art opportunity can be integrated into the most impactful exterior areas facing Santa Fe Avenue and the 6th Street Bridge, while taking into account the Arts District stakeholder suggestions for activation of the south and west facades. Metro Art staff will share the feasibility and development of this opportunity with the Design Advisory Group as the project evolves through the Design-Build process.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
The art program will be coordinated with building's design and construction so as not to impact the project schedule and budget. The art program milestones and schedule will align with those of the overall project design team and staff will meet with the project architect as soon as the Design Builder receives notice to proceed, which is currently scheduled for September 30. The Artist Selection Panel will convene this Fall to identify the project artist from the prequalified artist pool. Metro Art will solicit information from the arts community which will inform the Maintenance of Way Building art program and will participate as a member of the Design Advisory Group.
Attachments
ATTACHMENT
Attachment A - July 2015 Board Motion
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Maya Emsden, Deputy Executive Officer, (213) 922-2720
Renee Berlin, Managing Executive Officer, (213) 922-3035
Dennis S. Mori, Executive Officer, (213) 922-7221
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Bryan Pennington, Program Management, (213) 922-7449
Martha Welborne, FAIA, Chief Planning Officer, (213) 922-7267
