Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes a contract with artist Jennifer Bastian to provide up to $7,500 annually to offset expenses related to the residency as the third Thurber Park Artist-in-Residence. Funding for the contract will come from the Planning Division’s Municipal Art Fund (Munis project 65001). No additional City appropriation is required.
Title
Approving the Madison Arts Commission’s selection of Jennifer Bastian as the next Thurber Park Artist-in-Residence, and approving Lisa Lang and Karolina Romanowska as alternates.
Body
WHEREAS, on January 16, 2018, a lease with the Town of Blooming Grove was approved by Resolution No. RES-18-00069, File No. 49683, which will allow for the City to use the space located at 3325 Thurber Avenue as an artist studio; and
WHEREAS, using the Thurber Park facility for an art studio fulfills Darbo-Worthington-Starkweather Neighborhood Plan recommendations adopted by the Common Council on September 19, 2017, Resolution Enactment Number RES-15-00436, File ID No. 47509; and
WHEREAS, over the last seven years the Madison Arts Commission, the Madison Arts Program and Madison Public Library’s Bubbler, have worked to shape an equitable and inclusive residency program that will have positive impact on the surrounding community and the professional advancement of the participating artists; and
WHEREAS, Madison Arts Program staff issued and widely publicized an open call for artists for the Thurber Park Artist-in-Residence opportunity on February 1, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the Madison Arts Commission Public Art Committee reviewed and scored 6 applications at their March 11, 2024 meeting and ranked the application of Jennifer Bastian the highest, with artist team Lisa Lang and Karolina Romanowska the second highest; and
WHEREAS, at their March 12, 2024 meeting, the full body of the Madison Arts Commission reviewed and approved the Public Art Committee’s recommendation to name Jennifer Bastian as the next Thurber Park Artist-in-Residence, and Lisa Lang and Karolina Romanowska as alternates; and
WHEREAS, Jennifer Bastian’s application showed the ability to work with the community and to create a work of permanent public art; and
WHEREAS, the Madison Arts Commission recommends Jennifer Bastian be provided $7,500 annually, for the duration of the residency, to offset expenses related to the residency; and
WHEREAS, the Madison Arts Commission will seek an appropriate opportunity for the selected artist to create a proposal for a permanent public art piece for the City’s collection, for which, if approved by the Madison Arts Commission and the Common Council, the artist may receive further compensation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Madison Common Council approves of the selection of Jennifer Bastian to be the next artist-in-residence at Thurber Park, and Lisa Lang and Karolina Romanowska as alternates.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Common Council authorizes the Planning Division Director to sign a contract on behalf of the City with artist Jennifer Bastian, or alternates if necessary, setting forth the terms of their occupancy of the studio space as Artist-in-Residence and providing a fee not to exceed $7,500 annually for their services and expenses related to occupancy of the studio space, open studios, workshops, supplies, and initial design of a public art work for Madison’s public art collection. The contract shall be in a form approved by the City Attorney and Risk Manager and counter-signed by the Finance Director.