Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes applying for a Bloomberg Philanthropies grant for up to $1,000,000 to fund temporary public art projects that address important civic issues. The grant will cover project-related expenditures including development, execution, and marketing, but will not fund 100 percent of project costs. The grant is intended to provide catalytic funds as part of a strong, committed group of supporters for each project. Grant funds will be available for development and execution of the project over a maximum of 24 months following the announcement of final awards. No City appropriation is required for the grant application. City costs associated with the project will be included in future operating budgets subject to Common Council approval.
Title
Authorizing the City of Madison to submit a grant application for up to $1,000,000 to the Bloomberg Philanthropies' Public Art Challenge to fund costs for a Citywide temporary public art project and authorizing the Council President and Vice President to sign a letter of support on behalf of the Common Council to be submitted with the grant application and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a contract with Bloomberg Philanthropies to accept Grant funding if it is awarded.
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WHEREAS, City of Madison staff are preparing an application to Bloomberg Philanthropies as part of a highly competitive nationwide public art challenge to encourage innovative temporary public art projects that enhance the vibrancy of cities; and
WHEREAS, Bloomberg Philanthropies has invited Mayor Soglin to submit a proposal to their 2018 Public Art Challenge that demonstrates the City is partnering with artists to elevate the value of including the creative sector when developing solutions to significant urban issues; and
WHEREAS, based on Architect and Social Practice Artist Michael Ford’s success in developing Hip Hop Architecture Camp, which contributed data to the City’s Comprehensive Plan and became a national model that was replicated in 30 cities around the nation including Los Angeles, Austin, Houston, Atlanta, Detroit, Bronx, Oakland, and Richmond, as well as camps in Canada and Kenya; and
WHEREAS, Michael Ford’s work won a national “Top Innovator” award from the Urban Libraries Council, the Mayor directed staff to invite the artist to collaborate with the City on creating a competitive proposal for the 2018 Public Art Challenge; and
WHEREAS, the City is exploring working with Michael Ford to expand upon the success of Hip Hop Architecture Camp and design a temporary public art project that would broaden citizen engagement and amplify voices of traditionally under-represented individuals, while simultaneously enhancing urban identity and encouraging public-private collaboration within our City; and
WHEREAS, the project he is proposing will create historical data in the form of oral histories, photographs, and other ephemera, as well as citizen future visioning that will be used in City Planning processes such as the Historic Preservation Plan, Cultural Planning, and Neighborhood Plans.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that City staff is authorized to submit a grant application for up to $1,000,000 to the Bloomberg Philanthropies' Public Art Challenge (“Grant”) on behalf of the Mayor and Common Council to work with Michael Ford to create a large-scale temporary public art project across the City of Madison.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President and Vice President are authorized to sign a letter of support on behalf of the members of the Common Council.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that if this Grant is awarded, the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to enter into a contract with Bloomberg Philanthropies to accept the Grant.