City of Kelowna Public Art Program

The Public Art Program was established by resolution of Council in 1997. Support for public art is also reflected in other official policy documents such as the City of Kelowna Strategic Plan (2004), the Kelowna 2020 Official Community Plan and Arts & Cultural Policy #274.

Funding for the program comes from the Public Art Reserve Fund, allocated by Council on an annual basis, at a minimum of $100,000, and up to a maximum amount equal to one per cent of the City’s annual capital budget from general taxation revenue.

Expenditures from the Public Art Reserve Fund are approved by Council, based on recommendations from the Public Art Committee. For more information about the Public Art Committee, see the Committee page.

Art acquisition methods utilized in the Public Art Program include:

direct purchases from artists;
donations by artists and others. Guidelines for those wishing to donate works of art to the City of Kelowna have been developed by the Public Art Committee and are posted here. Potential donors are encouraged to contact staff for more information prior to preparation of a donation proposal;
Community Public Art project grants. More information about the Community Public Art program appears below and current application deadlines are posted on the Opportunities page;
competitive commissions initiated and monitored by the Public Art Committee and staff. Current opportunities are posted regularly on the Opportunities page;
partnerships with the private sector. Developers of commercial and residential projects are encouraged to consider including public art features to add value to their structures and contribute to the enhancement of the urban environment. Contact Public Art Coordinator Sandra Kochan at 250-469-8935 or skochan@kelowna.ca for more information.

Civic Commissions

Competition calls are generally open to artists from any location. The collection includes many works by British Columbia and local artists, and others by artists from China, the UK and the USA.

Consultations with the public, other interested parties, and with City staff from other departments and divisions such as Civic Properties and Parks are frequently part of developing a public art opportunity and evaluation of artist proposals.

A typical public art commissioning process includes:

The committee defines the project and determines the budget. Project opportunities are occasionally identified by other departments or community groups and developed through consultation.
A competition brief is prepared and reviewed by staff and the Committee.
The competition is advertised and included in the City’s normal tendering process. Artists wishing to be notified of upcoming opportunities can provide their contact information by using the form on the Opportunities page.
Submissions meeting applicable criteria are evaluated by the committee and reviewed by other City staff and interested parties.
A shortlist of submissions is prepared.
Shortlisted artists are invited to provide more detailed concepts, prepare maquettes (scale models) of their work and in some instances, make presentations about their proposals.
The information from shortlisted artists is evaluated and a final selection is made.
A contract is prepared between the City and the artists including provision for payment, progress timelines and other legal considerations.
A report summarizing the Committee’s recommended selection is presented to Council.
Upon Council approval, the contract is finalized and work commences.
Cultural Services staff monitor completion of the project and ensure that proper photo documentation of the installation process is completed.
Upon completion, Cultural Services staff work with the artist and the Mayor’s office staff to plan for a public dedication ceremony.

This process usually requires 6 months’ time between preparation of the brief and signing of the contract. Generally another 3-4 months is then required for completion and installation of the work. Larger, more complex projects require more time for completion.

Community Public Art

This is a recent initiative of the City of Kelowna Public Art Program. The first two Community Public Art Projects were completed in 2007. These projects can be viewed by visiting the following locations:

Reach For The Stars Mural (Artist Scott Tobin, Graffiti Eradication & Prevention Program): rear wall of Dan’s Tire Service, off Spedding Court, facing Springvalley Middle School yard; and
Martin Avenue Mosaics (Artist Holliby Ross, North End Residents’ Assoc.): 3 benches, with trees, at the rear of the Martin Avenue Community Centre, 1434 Graham Street

Community public art is a collaborative, collective creative process between a professional practicing artist and a community. It is as much about process as it is about the artistic product or outcome. It is a way for the community to creatively address and express its needs and aspirations. (Inspired by the Ontario Arts Council, Community Arts Workbook, 1998, p.7)

Some other good examples of successful Community Public Art projects:

Vancouver http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/commsvcs/ oca/PublicArt/community.htm
North Vancouver http://www.northvanarts.com/

Many of these projects use media such as terra cotta, pebbles, tile, glass, fabric, metal and paint. These media make it easy for many people to get involved in the creation of the artwork. We also welcome proposals for projects using innovative new media such as performance (musical/theatrical/dance/other), video and film.

Street or wayfinding signage will not qualify for this program, but banners may be considered. Please contact City Staff for more information.

What are the goals for Community Public Art?

To encourage the creation of publicly accessible, permanent or temporary artworks having artistic merit and community benefit. Community benefits include encouraging or documenting social change and strengthening understanding between diverse communities.
To foster community pride, identity and cohesion through collaborative artistic endeavor and the creation of artwork legacies.
To support local leadership in community art projects while respecting the role of creative artists and other design professionals.
To reflect the diversity, needs and ambitions of the larger community.

How does it work?

Grants are awarded through a competitive process. A total of $10,000 per year from the City of Kelowna Public Art Reserve Fund is available. One or more projects and applications for up to a maximum of $10,000 will be considered. Funding from the City of Kelowna for community public art projects is provided on a matching basis. This means that applicants are expected to match, from other sources (usually a combination of cash and in kind), the funding they are requesting from the City. For example, if you are applying for $2,500, you must demonstrate that you have the equivalent amount arranged from other sources. Matching cannot come from other City of Kelowna programs or sources such as the Kelowna Arts Foundation. Collaboration between organizations and businesses is encouraged.

How to apply:

Visit the Opportunities page and download the Community Public Art guidelines, along with an application form and other instructions. For more information, contact:

Sandra Kochan, Public Art Coordinator Phone 250-469-8935 e-mail skochan@kelowna.ca