Public Art Program
The Public Art Committee works to humanize and animate the urban environment, increase the livability and artistic richness of the community and stimulate the growth of arts and arts-related businesses through the provision of public art.
The Public Art Committee advises Council on the expenditure of the Public Art Reserve Fund. The Fund is set at a minimum of $100,000.00 per year (a sum equal to 1% of the City’s annual capital budget from general taxation revenue).
Commissions in the downtown and throughout the city, both indoors and out, now enliven the urban landscape. For more information see Collection and Public Art Map.
Future Initiatives
With a mandate to focus on urban centres and gateways, priorities for future public art commissions include:
- Rutland Town Centre
- Parkinson Recreation Centre
The Committee also plans to increase its activities in the following areas:
- Encourage participation in joint projects through private sector partners;
- Work with School District 23, Okanagan College and UBC Okanagan on student involvement in public art projects;
- Solicit corporate involvement and partnership on projects;
- Liase more closely with KADAC (Kelowna and District Arts Council) through the participation of a member of the PAC on the KADAC board.
The Committee looks forward to working on other local art initiatives with groups such as the Kelowna Art Gallery, the Alternator Gallery and KADAC.
The City’s website will be used to communicate upcoming commissions, see Competitions.
The Public Art Committee is a diverse group; volunteer members have a variety of backgrounds yet all have an interest in the arts, and public art in particular.
Current membership of the committee is as follows:
Judy Burns (Chairperson)
Peter Werner (Vice-Chairperson)
Paul Skutshek
Larry Foster
Gordon Hartley
Don McIntosh
Dona Moore
Barbara Rhodes
City Council established the Public Art Fund and the Public Art Committee in 1997.