A new policy will help fill in the blanks when it comes to public art in Okotoks.
Council approved a public art policy during its meeting on Sept. 25. The policy lays out a framework for approving and selecting public art and lists criteria for any artwork that is commissioned or obtained under the policy.
Allan Boss, culture and heritage manager, said the starting point for the new policy was a public art policy created in 2005, with several additions based on recommendations made last year.
Boss said recommendations were for “a policy that would focus on works by Alberta artists” and would “create art that would enhance our public realm.”
Coun. Rachel Swendseid said she looks forward to seeing what will come from the policy.
"It helps formalize that process and provides clear guidelines on what we want to see in the future,” she said.
One recommendation is that public art be considered early in the planning of Town projects, and Swendseid said she appreciates that addition to the policy.
“Rather than art being an afterthought, now we've really formalized (what) it's going to look like in the beginning,” she said.
Site selection and art selection will be led by the Town, but public engagement would play a role in proportion to the size and scale of a given project, the Town said.
The policy was approved with an annual budget of $50,000.
"That funding would be then used to leverage community partnerships, sponsorships and public art grants,” Boss said.
