AUTHORIZATION TO ACCEPT AN OUTDOOR SCULPTURE AS GIFT TO THE CITY OF GLENDALE
Staff Contact: Erik Strunk, Director, Community Services
Purpose and Recommended Action
This is a request for City Council to authorize the acceptance of an outdoor sculpture, a private gift to the City of Glendale by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Whitney.
Background
In 1983, City Council established an ordinance designed to facilitate the inclusion of works of art in public areas. The ordinance directs one percent of the total cost of eligible Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) to be deposited into the Municipal Arts Fund. The general policy states, “The creation of works of art for public places should be encouraged. A policy is therefore established to direct the inclusion of works of art in city facilities.”
Earlier this year, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Whitney, contacted the City to express their desire to donate an outdoor sculpture to the City of Glendale in honor of Mr. Whitney’s grandparents, who settled in the West Valley in the early 1900s. According to Mr. Whitney,
“Maude and Clarence Whitney arrived in the Valley in 1910 from Michigan to exchange dry farming for irrigation farming. They, along with eight children, settled at Northern Avenue and Lateral Nineteen. All the children graduated from Glendale Union High School and most remained in Glendale where they were owners of various businesses until they retired or passed away. Unfortunately, no Whitney family members are now living in Glendale and most would be pleasantly surprised at its growth and prominence as a fine place to live, work and play.”
Since the inception of the Arts Ordinance, the city has commissioned/acquired over 30 major works of public art, concurrent with development of capital projects throughout the city. In fact, the sculpture “Ascendant” commissioned in 2002 for $53,000 and installed at the Glendale Municipal Airport is by the same artist, Michael Anderson, who created the proposed gift sculpture.
Analysis
The sculpture by artist Michael Anderson (1976) is made of Corten Steel, 7’x3’. Upon staff request, Mr. Whitney obtained an official Fair Market Value Report for the sculpture. Allison Gee, Accredited Senior Fine Arts Appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers, conducted the appraisal. The fair market value of the artwork is $18,000 as of the effective date of valuation, December 31, 2015. The artwork is in good condition. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney are the 100-percent owners of the artwork and the property on which the artwork is currently located.
Community Benefit/Public Involvement
One of the main goals of the Public Art Program is to distribute arts and culture throughout the city, accessible to all residents. Art is a form of communication that can serve as a connection between citizens and the city in which they live. Thus, public art has the potential of fostering a sense of community identity, instilling a citywide sense of pride and vitality. Adding quality works of art in high traffic public spaces reaffirms the city’s commitment to enhancing citizens' experiences of the arts.
On March 24, 2016, the Arts Commission voted to recommend acceptance of the private gift of the Michael Anderson sculpture to the City Council. The Commission and staff recommend installation of the sculpture at the front Xeriscape Garden entry to the Glendale Main Library, with the addition of a dedication plaque.
Budget and Financial Impacts
The costs related to this project will cover the professional removal of the sculpture from the Whitney residence; transportation; installation of a new concrete foundation; installation of the sculpture onto the new foundation and a dedication plaque. The recommended expenditure is from the Arts Fund with no impact to the General Fund.
|
Cost |
Fund-Department-Account |
|
$2,500 |
1220-15310-518200, Professional Contractual |
Capital Expense? No
Budgeted? Yes
Requesting Budget or Appropriation Transfer? No
If yes, where will the transfer be taken from?