Programs:
A Percentage for Public Art
Contact Person: Edwin Hamilton:
hstoneworks@sbcglobal.net
Take the Public Art Survey now>
This survey is intended to gather community input about public art financed through Petaluma’s Public Art Fund, which was created
Public Art Ordinancein 2005. Under this ordinance, certain private and public projects may contribute 1% of their projects construction budgets to the Public Art Fund.
The public is invited to give their input about public art. Through this on-line survey the Public Arts Committee hopes to gain an understanding of the kinds of art projects Petaluma residents would like to see throughout the community. Here is the webpage that can be used to access the survey:
The findings of the survey along witha visual presentation of public art and public comments will be presented at the
COMMUNITY MEETING ON PUBLIC ART April 24, 2007, 7PM to 8:30PM at the Lucchesi Community Center in Petaluma.
Petaluma's Public Art Ordinance was passed on March 21, 2005 by the Petaluma City Council 4-3 with Healy, Glass, Nau, and Torliatt supporting and Canavero, O'Brien, and Harris opposing. The ordinance officially became law on May 3, 2005.
This could not have happened without the sustained efforts of the Petaluma Arts Council Board and the Community Development Department of the City of Petaluma. Feedback from developers, the Chamber of Commerce, Visitor's Bureau and Downtown Merchant's Association all played a key role in building a consensus on this issue.
Our thanks to all of you who wrote letters and made phone calls in support of the ordinance. This was truly a grassroots campaign and a successful one. The path ahead is exciting and full of challenges. Our dream of a city defined by its beautiful landscape, distinguished architecture and inspiring art can be achieved. Thank you to all of you who have supported this process in so many different ways over the past year!
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St Vincent's fountain in Petaluma Photo by Scott Hess |
For over a year, The Petaluma Arts Council collaborated with the community and Petaluma city staff to craft a well-written 1% for Public Art Ordinance, based on the best ordinances from around the nation.
You, the citizenry of Petaluma, really came out to show the city you support public art! Three city council meetings were held, all well-attended by a supportive community. A public workshop was held March 2, 2005 and the ordinance was back before the council and PASSED on 3-21-05. Thank you to the large citizen support that helped pass this ordinance!
Take a look at the Public Art Ordinance
and Public Art Resolution:
Public Arts
Ordinance 136K pdf and the Public
Arts Resolution 80K pdf
Read the Argus Courier article Council Receptive to Public Art February 25, 2004
Over 400 cities nationally have adopted Percentage for Public Art programs with much success. These programs earmark a certain percentage of development and redevelopment funds to create public art projects. Let our city’s decision makers know that you support Public Art.
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Sculptural Bench by Edwin Hamilton |
Why Public Art?
• Public art is a civic asset. It creates a positive, memorable image
that defines a city’s identity, boosts civic pride and enhances the
city’s image to the outside world.
• Public art creates a deeper interaction with the place one is visiting,
living or working.
• Public art celebrates the diversity and history of our community
while pointing to the city’s aspiration for the future.
• Public art is an effective economic tool. It encourages cultural
tourism which brings in affluent visitors who spend more money in town.
• Public art expresses corporate pride. Local businesses communicate
the importance of their role in the community and their commitment to
the quality of life through public art.
• Public art makes cities more beautiful and more livable.
• Public art celebrates the fact that a vibrant culture makes a vibrant
city.
Why now?
In spite of current budget woes—development is not affected and
is happening fast. Petaluma is developing and redeveloping a major
portion of our downtown corridor. Water Street, five city blocks in the
Basin Street project, the railroad depot and the riverfront will change
the shape of our urban landscape. The Public Art Ordinance institutes
1% of our above-ground commercial development and redevelopment project
costs for Public Art; we now have the opportunity to define and redefine
our public identity for the future without spending money out of the city’s
existing budget.