Transmission of Art on the River 2022-23 Theme and Call for Art AnnouncementCopyrighted
March 7, 2022
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 5.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Transmission of Art on the River 2022-23 Theme and Call for Art
Announcement
SUMMARY: City Manager transmitting information on the chosen theme for the 2022-
23 Art on the River exhibition while acknowledging the community -
informed planning process and sharing the call for art process and
forthcoming events.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Transmission of 2022-23 Art on the River Theme and City Manager Memo
Schedule-MVM Memo
Memo to MVM re Transmission of Art on the River Staff Memo
2022-23 Theme and Call for Art Announcemement
THE C
DUjIBQTE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Dubuque
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2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
SUBJECT: Transmission of Art on the River 2022-23 Theme and Call for Art
Announcement
DATE: March 1, 2022
Art & Cultural Affairs Coordinator Jenni Petersen -Brant is informing City Council the
chosen theme for the 2022-23 Art on the River exhibition while acknowledging the
community -informed planning process and sharing the call for art process and
forthcoming events.
I respectfully request Mayor and City Council receive and file this information.
v
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Jill Connors, Economic Development Director
Jenni Petersen -Brant, Arts & Cultural Affairs Coordinator
Dubuque
THE CITY OF
DUB TE
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Jenni Petersen -Brant, Arts & Cultural Affairs Coordinator
Economic Development Department
Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs
1300 Main St
Dubuque, IA 52001
Office (563) 589-4393
TTY (563) 690-6678
http://www.cityofdubuque.org
SUBJECT: Transmission of Art on the River 2022-23 Theme and Call for Art
Announcement
DATE: February 28, 2022
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to inform City leadership of the chosen theme for
the 2022-23 Art on the River exhibition while acknowledging the community -informed
planning process and sharing the call for art process and forthcoming events.
BACKGROUND
The 2022-23 Art on the River (AOTR) exhibition will be the City's 16t" edition of this
popular rotating public sculpture program along the Mississippi Riverwalk in the Port of
Dubuque.
Since 2018, a timely and socially -relevant theme has been identified each year and
applied to the call for art and engagement activities for the annual exhibit. The process
for arriving at that theme involves a Planning Committee made up of City staff, limited
representation from the Arts & Cultural Affairs Commission, and 2-3 additional
community members. The Planning Committee currently includes myself along with:
• Kelli Buchaneu, Communications Specialist, Public Information Office
• Mike Williams, Arts & Culture Intern, Economic Development
• Ryan Decker, Commissioner / Recorder, Arts & Cultural Affairs Commission
• Tom Robbins, Commissioner, Arts & Cultural Affairs Commission
• Gina Siegert, Publisher, Julien's Journal / Board Member, Dubuque Arts Council
• Mary Armstrong, Retired, Local Arts Advocate
This Planning Committee meets monthly to steward the program throughout the year,
providing feedback on Staff's recommendations regarding timeline, budget, marketing,
and outreach activities. This committee also advises on broadening program reach and
assists in cultivating community partnerships that expand engagement opportunities.
DISCUSSION
The theme identified for the 2022-23 AOTR exhibit is `Crossing Bridges' and is
described as follows:
"Connected to neighboring states of Wisconsin and Illinois by three distinct
bridges, Dubuque, Iowa is a community historically defined by embracing
and relying upon the crossing of bridges to thrive and prosper.
In modern society, building and maintaining both physical and metaphorical
bridges serve to connect us across divides, help us overcome barriers, and
are essential to economic growth and community prosperity.
Whether it be bridges that offer a safe passage between previously
separated places or the interpersonal collaborations that foster new
understandings across cultures and ideas, a `bridge' provides the means to
move smoothly from one place to another towards a connected space.
However, it is only in the willingness to actively cross those bridges that we
can acknowledge shared experiences, embrace inclusion, and cultivate an
ecosystem where we live, work, and grow together."
The above theme and description were reviewed and accepted by the Arts & Cultural
Affairs Advisory Commission at their Tuesday, February 22, 2022 meeting. After review
by the City's Public Information Manager, Staff released a call for art on Friday,
February 25, 2022 that incorporates said theme. The online application can be
accessed at www.cityofdubugue.org/AOTRapply.
To maximize opportunity access, there is no cost to the artist to apply; artist(s) can
submit multiple applications including concepts for work to be created which supports
both underrepresented and emerging public art creators. Selected artists receive
taxable stipends of $1,800 for 12-month display of their work to support the creation,
transport, and lease of the work. Works are available for purchase through the City with
a 25% commission retained for future programming.
We anticipate recommending 10 sculptural works for the 2022-23 AOTR exhibition. A 3-
person panel of diverse arts professionals curated by the Planning Committee will
provide a recommendation for Commission and Council consideration in May 2022.
Additional dates of interest in2022 at this time include:
• Informational Webinar for Artists: Thurs, Mar. 10, 4 p.m.
• Applications Due: Fri, Apr. 1, 11:59 p.m.
• Community Panel Review: Apr. 6-20
• Review of Recommendations by Public Works: Apr. 25-29
• Recommendation to Arts Commission and City Council: May 2022
• De -install of 2021-22 Exhibit: July 25-29, 2022
• Install of 2022-23 Exhibit: Aug. 1-5, 2022
• Reception for 2022-23 Exhibition: Fri, Aug. 5-7, p.m.
BUDGETIMPACT
There is no budget impact at this time. Expenses for the 2022-23 AOTR exhibit are
accounted for and currently recommended within the City's FY23 operating budget for
Arts & Culture activity within the Economic Development Department.
RECOMMENDATION/ACTION STEP
I respectfully request that the information provided by received and filed.
Cc: Jill Connors, Economic Development Director