In its first sitting since returning from the summer break, Olds town council discussed a proposed public art policy at its policies and priorities meeting on Aug. 18.According to the meeting agenda, the policy was born out of a council decision in June to allocate two per cent of the natural gas franchise fee to public art.Town administration will now seek feedback after council had its first chance to ask questions and make suggestions on policy.“We're going to circulate it internally to get some more feedback and we're also going to engage stakeholders in the community,” said Doug Wagstaff, the town's director of community services, after the meeting.“So targeting some of the art groups and some of the music groups and talking to them about what they would like to see from the town as well as talking to the community about their thoughts on an art policy.”In June, there was a feeling amongst council that there was a need to draft such a policy, he said during the meeting.Wagstaff added that the policy would be in place to avoid a situation similar to one that happened in Calgary, where the city erected the contentious Travelling Light — a giant sculpture at the airport overpass shaped as a blue ring with lights on top.There are four key areas the art policy covers.One is to guide town administration in the development, management and maintenance of public art.Another would establish a jury that would provide expert opinion on applying the policy.Thirdly, to maintain freedom of expression in art but ensuring that it meets community standards.Lastly, it would establish a public art reserve for the future acquisition and maintenance of public art.“The key to this policy was, we wanted to ensure that there was a mechanism where there was a balance between public community standard and expectations with that of freedom of expression,” Wagstaff said.During the discussion, Olds mayor Judy Dahl suggested that the policy restrict the design of public art to local artists.“We have extremely talented (people) within the region. That's why I really stress in my opinion that we should state local … and regional artists only that can provide that service,” Dahl said.Some councillors said they did not want the town limiting its selection of artists.“I think we've got to be able to go wide and search out art that suits the purpose for which it's being designed. It may not be an artist in this community that can do that,” said Coun. Harvey Walsh.Another debate revolved around who would have the final decision in selecting the artwork.Wagstaff said the intent of the policy was not to have council act as the jury but to oversee the process of community engagement.However, Coun. Wade Bearchell said council should have a say because it holds the public purse strings and is ultimately accountable.“We're accountable to the citizens for the money portion of it regardless of what gets picked and I think that council needs to have a vote on that,” Bearchell [email protected]
