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New Arts Organization Idea, Just a Thought

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Started 4 years ago by jpizzow
Latest reply from Manatee

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jpizzow
580 N. Park St.
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Since we've been talking alot about art lately, I kind of came up with an idea, unless I haven't been paying attention and it already exists. The concesus says that this city, especially downtown, needs more public art. Columbus is now one of the top arts destinations in the nation. Why not build on this? I propose getting some sort of organization together to convince the city, downtown organizations and insitutions, businesses, and even the suburbs to buy local art for display. From plazas to coffee shops, murals to sculptures, everything is fair game. The goal is to make the city the canvas or gallery if you will. It would also help to expose new artists. I did a little research to see if any other city, big or small, has a program like this. I found none. Here is a chance to be unique and further our "art destination" status, while at the same time creating eyecandy overload and helping local artists. Let's make this city a canvas and a living, breathing gallery and help further the cause of putting the cbus on the map.
If this program does exist and I just wasted my breath, then it's not a very effective program.

Posted 4 years ago #
artbomb112
The Heights
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The city has a branch that deals with public art... but there is nothing specific.
I'm sure that the GCAC would be a good organization for this kind of thing.... especially now that they are under new direction.
If not... let me know if you start something. I would be glad to support. I can't tell you how much I would love to have a Claus Oldenburg sculpture on our riverfront.

Posted 4 years ago #
jpizzow
580 N. Park St.
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who would we go to in order to start something like this, i mean someone who would actually listen and embrace the idea.

Posted 4 years ago #
mightymighty
North Side
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Does anyone have any idea how much of a budget is set aside for public art in C-bus?
In a quick snoop, Wikipedia says:
Public art is usually installed with the authorization and collaboration of the government or company that owns or administers the space. Some governments actively encourage the creation of public art, for example, budgeting for artworks in new buildings by implementing a Percent for Art policy. 1% for art is an internationally held concept.
And then, there's getting the local government and businesses involved. I get the vague impression that the powers that be don't see public art as something we as a city want, or if there is to be public art it should take the stylings of gigantic adverts. If we could rally support for the creation of public art then perhaps we would see more of it in the city. Competitions and grants for permanent and semi-permanent work for the city would be quite exciting... of course this is a pipe dream right now because where would that money come from?
I like the idea, I think this may require more looking in to.

Posted 4 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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jpizzow wrote who would we go to in order to start something like this, i mean someone who would actually listen and embrace the idea.
The Young Professionals Commission would probably both be a pretty good cheerleader for something like this as well as a good group to act as contact points for who to talk to to make it happen.
Since this commission is somewhat new, they don't really have much under their belts yet, but I'm hoping they will grow into a good resource to help launch ideas like this.

Posted 4 years ago #
artbomb112
The Heights
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Couchfire Collective has made some connections with the city and arts organizations as well.
I think that enough of us teaming up might make something like this fly.

Posted 4 years ago #
mightymighty
North Side
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I think contacting the Young Professionals Commission is a great idea. I've met with a few of their members in the past briefly to talk about curating a show that never panned out (I didn't have the time to commit to it, and there was no venue). My impression was that they may be willing to get involved especially if it can somehow increase their networking abilities. Talking to them can't hurt! :)

Posted 4 years ago #
jpizzow
580 N. Park St.
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i guess it just comes down to the convincing game, although i don't know why you would have to convince anyone, city official or otherwise, why the city needs to be interesting. if money is the issue, i'm sure a small fund could be started somehow with all the money floating around this city. a couple grand is all that's needed to get the ball rolling. once the idea catches on, more funds will be there.
i don't think this could work, i know it could work.
hell, why couldn't this blog's members start some sort of grassroots organization, not just for the arts, but for every issue. i don't think government officials spend too much time reading this stuff. how about we collaborate directly with our city officials. doesn't sound too crazy to me. i thought that's what they wanted anyway. i'm in.

Posted 4 years ago #
mightymighty
North Side
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OK now I am brainstorming, sorry for the multiple posts.
When I was out west I met Steve Wood through a friend of mine who participated in a public art non-profit that he had started. Long story short, they... well I'll just quote them.
Concrete Couch is a community-based organization that facilitates mural, sculpture, performance programs and other creative endeavors, by working collaboratively with a Host Organization. (These organizations include schools, community centers, municipal or governmental groups, and other assemblies of people).
...
Fulfilling our mission is an imperfect processÃ¢â‚¬Â¦much happens through planning, but some happens through luck. We understand that we cannot solve most of societyÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s problems through public art programs. Our goals our more modest: to make a difference in a few lives and the few communities we touch; to connect people in a new and vibrant way to their community, and plant seeds for the future.
A project I saw the tail end of was a mural project in Western Museum of Mining & Industry in Monument. High school kids worked with Steve to create a mural that told the history of mining. This kind of public art helped foster community, local pride and encouraged young people to get involved in art at a time when local funding for art in schools was cut.
This org has been around for a while, at least since.. 03 when I was in that area. It's just an example, & I would love to see a project like this started here. I think the public would get behind it too.
Not that I'm not also for art by individuals, just saying they've done great things out there, and public art is very prevalent in Co Springs partly because of them.

Posted 4 years ago #
swan
London
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can you tell me how you came to develop that piece... or any of the pieces youve been plugging. like inspirations or creative directions or something?

Posted 4 years ago #
columbus native
Columbus the indie art capital of the world
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I like the concept of public art of any medium. Sculpture work surly has it's place in the community, but also murals and instsallations. The topiary garden in downtown is a prime example of this. Evry park has trees and shrubs, but this park stands out and becomes a destination point. As much as I hate the concrete corn out here in dublin it is also art, and just as much so as the mona lisa mural in the short. I would like to see a larger effort where artists have the ability work together and create something unique in the community. This itself will market these artists and also the public perception of art/artists in Columbus. I would stand fully behind this and also say that on a smaller lever the city is accepting this kind of artwork. Streetspace for exapmle brought artists both local and national in an alley that gets public attention and made it a zone for a huge art installation. Much respect to Eddy Monday for that one. ALso the Urban Scrawl in Franklinton is another example of local artists getting a forum to promote their art to the public. Kudos to Nikos R. or this effort. So we do have some little snow balls at the top of the hill we just need to PUSH.

Posted 4 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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mightymighty wrote I think contacting the Young Professionals Commission is a great idea. I've met with a few of their members in the past briefly to talk about curating a show that never panned out (I didn't have the time to commit to it, and there was no venue). My impression was that they may be willing to get involved especially if it can somehow increase their networking abilities. Talking to them can't hurt! :)
Who did you meet with that gave you the impression that their networking was an important part of it? Some of the folks in there are of that mindset, but I know a lot of them (myself included) just want to help make Columbus a better city, and really don't care for the "business networking" side of things.
Anyway, overall I think the problem with public art (as well as other similar topics relating to the arts community) is that there's not enough outreach to make the community aware of what opportunities are available. I want to say that many organizations have just been traditionally run where the artists have to approach the organizations if they're seeking anything, but since other cities have programs that work the other way around, many people are expecting the same out of Columbus, and if they don't get that type of assistance, they may just wind up moving somewhere else.
Am I alone in this thought? This is just my limited perception on the topic...

Posted 4 years ago #
artbomb112
The Heights
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I definitely don't think you are alone Walker.
That is why others flee. That is why we started Couchfire, to help people get connected with organizations... and organizations connected to individuals.
I think that there has been a change in the last year or two (especially with the turning of the guard at both OAL and GCAC), that the organization need to be more active in their approach. Find artists and give them opportunities, not make them scape until they have one. I only wish Couchfire could do more, but again... business and money are a necessity. I don't think it limits artists to think with a business mind at times. I don't think money has to corrupt anything.
Hopefully over the next couple of years, now that awareness is being raised, those organizations will install plans to access artists (and art patrons). I know the OAL has started plans to make art part of everyday life, something people are akin to rather than having to seek it out. I believe I have heard similar things from the GCAC.
And as far as you not being a networking person Walker.... I do believe you run one of the largest message boards in town. Though it may not be business related... you are networking. You put a call out... and 20+ people come running. Just look at the GCAC meeting announcement you put out.... did they not come?

Posted 4 years ago #
Coremodels
Really close to Explorer's Club.
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One thing I'd highly recommend is to continually expand your own networks, speaking of networking. I know of one artist, for example, Bunny Koff. She's considerably older, but sells and is well received (good show at Mahan recently). Now, the thing is...she also has significant resources, heavily involved with the museum, is heavily involved in dozens of civic groups, etc.
I think the first goal should be real networking of artists, including as many people as humanly possible from all backgrounds, ages, styles, etc.
Instead, from what I've seen, the arts community locally can be incredibly cliquish and even divisive with each other between the small groups and leaving a lot of people on the fringe not included at all.
Just my 2 cents.

Posted 4 years ago #
Manatee
The eternal present
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Why don't we get together and do something about this arts thing? We're meeting Wednesday night, we should brainstorm more.
I know I sound like an endless Pollyanna cheerleader, but too bad! Let's put on our Sunday clothes and meet with some city people (you know the ones?) in their Monday-Friday clothes.
To paraphrase Christina Aguilera, "Don't be a Vito in the floorboards, baby!"

Posted 4 years ago #
Brewmaster
Portland, OR
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I know this is a complete rip-off from many other cities, but I think it's a good idea and some people keep trying to derail this thread with personal interests, so here goes...
Why not provide 200 giant, fat ears of corn to artists around town for the bicentennial? This has been rediculously sucessful in Cleveland (guitars), NYC (apples), Chicago (cows), and Cincy (pigs). Companies can sponsor the corn and place them wherever they want.
So there you go...instant installation art all over the city, local artist involvement, corporate involvement ($$$), an identity for the city, and another way to celebrate the Bicentennial.

Posted 4 years ago #
Coremodels
Really close to Explorer's Club.
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LOL!
Anyways, you know Brew, that's actually not a bad idea. In all seriousness, another one would be to do Tomatoes in Reynoldsburg or even Pumpkins in Circleville.

Posted 4 years ago #
artbomb112
The Heights
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Didn't they do the corn thing already...?
Maybe I am losing my mind. This thread is like the story of Sisyphus.

Posted 4 years ago #
Brewmaster
Portland, OR
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artbomb112 wrote Didn't they do the corn thing already...?
Maybe I am losing my mind. This thread is like the story of Sisyphus.
Maybe...I've only lived here 5-ish years. I know there is a field full of big white ears of corn in Dublin. We could do anything though. Cows would be fun and play on the "cow town" rap we always get, but Chicago already did the cows. Any other ideas?

Posted 4 years ago #
vespamary
Short North
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artbomb112 wrote Didn't they do the corn thing already...?
Maybe I am losing my mind. This thread is like the story of Sisyphus.
No AB, you are not losing your mind. It was done years ago. Somebody go take a walk down Lincoln Street and see the one sponsored by Gallery on High. Don't y'all remember the whole Other Paper story when it got "kidnapped" and ended up in Goodale Park or something?!"

Posted 4 years ago #