HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-02-18 Public Art Commission Agenda Packet IS POSTED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION
54954.2(a) OR SECTION 54956
PUBLIC ART COMMISSION
Ben Miyaji, Chair
Ian Klaus, Member Loren Gordon, Vice-Chair Nia Taylor, Member
Hsinya Shen, Member
City Council Liaison: Mayor Tom DuBois
Elise DeMarzo: Public Art Program Director Nadya Chuprina: Public Art Program Coordinator
Kristen O’Kane: Director of Community Services Department
http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/publicart
Thursday, February 18, 2021
7:00 pm
Pursuant to the provisions of California Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20, issued on March 17, 2020,
to prevent the spread of Covid-19, this meeting will be held by virtual teleconference only, with no physical
location. The meeting will be broadcast on Midpen Media Center at https://midpenmedia.org. Members of
the public who wish to participate by computer or phone can find the instructions at the end of this agenda.
To ensure participation in a particular item, we suggest calling in or connecting online 15 minutes before
the item you wish to speak on.
https://zoom.us/join Meeting ID: 972 2539 1247 Phone: +1 669 900 6833
AGENDA
ROLL CALL
AGENDA CHANGES, REQUESTS, DELETIONS
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Members of the public may address the Commission on any subject not on the agenda. A reasonable time
restriction may be imposed at the discretion of the Chair. The Commission reserves the right to limit oral
communications period to 3 minutes.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: PAC Meeting January 21, 2021 ATTACHMENT
STAFF COMMENTS
ACTION:
1. Temporary Artwork – Staff recommends that the Public Art Commission approve funds
in the amount of $53,000 to commission four artists to create original designs that will
be produced as temporary murals around the construction site of the Public Safety
Building for construction mitigation.
NON-ACTION:
2. Potential Joint Meeting with Human Relations Commission – Commissioners discuss
the framework for a potential joint meeting with the Human Relations Commission to
inform the outreach and public engagement for artwork on King Plaza recognizing the
City’s priorities on race and equity.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PUBLIC LETTERS: ATTACHMENT
FOR YOUR CALENDAR:
Next PAC regular meeting – Thursday, March 18, 2021
MINUTES
PUBLIC ART COMMISSION
MEETING
Thursday, January 21, 2020
Virtual teleconference via Zoom
7:00 p.m.
Commissioners Present: Ben Miyaji, Loren Gordon, Nia Taylor, Hsinya Shen
Commissioners Absent: Ian Klaus
Staff Present: Elise DeMarzo, Public Art Program Director
Nadya Chuprina, Public Art Program Coordinator
Kristen O’Kane, CSD Director
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Miyaji called the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m.
AGENDA CHANGES, REQUESTS, DELETIONS – Non-Action Item 2 was tabled till the February 18
PAC meeting.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS – None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 19, 2020 PAC Meeting Minutes Moved: Vice Chair Gordon
Second: Commissioner Shen. All in Favor.
STAFF COMMENTS: Staff updated the Commissioners on the application and selection process for the
ArtLift Microgrant project. Staff shared visuals and descriptions of the project proposals were approved
for funding and announced a deadline for the next application round. Staff also reported on the
development of the Temporary Murals Pilot Project and shared images of original digital artworks by 8
selected artists. The murals printed on adhesive aluminum material are scheduled for installation in mid-
February.
NON-ACTION:
1. California Avenue Master Plan discussion –Staff provided a summary of the California Ave
District Public Art planning process and asked the commissioners to share any comments and
feedback for the earlier distributed draft copy of the Master Plan. Commissioners’ offered some
feedback for the overall scope, findings, and recommendations articulated in the draft that will be
incorporated in the final plan. The final draft will be ready for review and discussion and
approval at the March PAC meeting when the consultants will be presenting the finalized plan.
2. Race and Equity Public Art – Commissioners continued the discussion of the City Council
referral to the PAC to develop a permanent artwork on King Plaza to recognize the City’s
priorities to advance cultural, racial and social equity. Staff provided a summary of the site
layout, its opportunities and challenges, and talked the Commissioners through limitations and
prospects of incorporating temporary or permanent installations. Commissioners led a discussion
and considered various aspects of commissioning permanent and temporary rotating artwork.
Commissioners voiced that a permanent monumental artwork to address racial equity did not
seem as the appropriate approach and expressed collective support of offering a rotating
programming with a banner option to engage diverse artists on an ongoing basis, however not
making that a primary or dedicated platform for the racial equity artwork. Commissioners also
supported the idea of having a residency program to allow community participation and inform
development of the artwork. Commissioners appealed to City Council to support the PAC and its
work in bringing meaningful, impactful, and appropriate artworks to address the issues around
racial justice. Commissioners requested that staff explores further AIR models and associated
costs to inform future recommendations for race and equity public art.
ANNOUNCEMENTS – None
CALENDAR: Next PAC Regular Meeting – February 18, 2021 at 7 pm via Zoom.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 8:27 pm by Chair Miyaji.