Explanation
BACKGROUND: On July 25, 2011 Columbus City Council passed legislation (Ordinance 1153-2011) authorizing the encumbrance of funds and authorizing the Development Director to enter into contracts as needed to complete an artist selection process for a permanent public art installation at North Bank Park. Inspired by the City's Bicentennial, the Development Department, Columbus Art Commission (CAC) and Columbus Recreation and Parks Department (CRPD), have partnered on this project.
Following passage of Ordinance 1153-2011, the Development Department retained public art consultant Shelly Willis to facilitate the artist selection process. Willis led a curated limited invitational artist selection process, as determined by the CAC, to select an artist. A seven member artist review and design selection panel was seated by the CAC and the Commission approved the North Bank Park Public Art Plan, which guided the artist selection. Sixty-four artists submitted qualifications, out of which 22 were selected by the curatorial team for presentation to the Selection Panel. In February 2012, the Panel unanimously selected artist finalists and one alternate.
On June 1, 2012, the artists presented their design proposals and the panel unanimously selected artist Lawrence Argent to create two steel and granite sculptures. On June 13, 2012, the CAC approved the panel's selection of Argent by voting unanimously to conceptually approve the design and placement of his sculpture proposal.
This ordinance initiates the second phase of the North Bank Public Art Project by using a $206,872 allocation from the Miranova TIF, Riverfront Vision Account and $33,861 allocation from the Ohio Arts Council Percent for Art Program. This allocation will be used for two primary purposes: 1) artwork design, fabrication and installation; and 2) extend the term and amount of public art consultant, Shelly Willis' contract to continue her consultancy through artwork installation. The Dire...
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