Bainbridge council reopens public art program

The Bainbridge Island City Council has reopened the city's Public Art Program.

The Bainbridge Island City Council has reopened the city’s Public Art Program.

The program, which has been in hiatus for two years, will be reactivated in time to manage art installations for the Waterfront Park makeover and possibly The Waypoint.

It will also provide maintenance to Bainbridge’s existing public art collection.

“I am very supportive and pleased to see us moving back into our city actively involved in the support of the cultural element in this way,” said Mayor Anne Blair.

The city designated the Bainbridge Island Arts & Humanities Council in 1992 to head the Public Art Program under the cultural element of the comprehensive plan.

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The program offers a public art fund and committee overseen by the arts council.

With the city council’s approval, the committee will soon be reinstated under a professional services contract to initiate at least one public art project this year and in the meantime provide conservation to the city’s existing public art.

Under the contract’s scope of services, the committee will conduct an assessment of the city’s public art through Sept. 3. It will then collaborate with city staff to oversee maintenance and restoration projects.

Starting this month, the committee will also establish goals and refine its responsibilities and processes. This will lay the groundwork for the group to begin prioritizing potential art installations and identifying sites and budgets.

The committee will ask for public input on possible projects, and by Dec. 31, the committee will begin accepting artist proposals.

The city will pay $2,000 per month to the Bainbridge Island Arts & Humanities Council for the services.

At the end of the year, the council will meet with the committee to consider renewing the contract for the year 2015.

The contract renewal will be based on the work that is completed this year.