The City of Cambridge is turning 50 this year and is considering buying itself a nice anniversary present; a $250,000 public art installation.
The city has taken a look at its inventory of public art and has found it is lacking compared to other municipalities. Staff is now accepting submissions for the art installation that can celebrate the legacy of Cambridge and its 50th anniversary.
"The public art reserve fund has sufficient budget to commission a piece of art," reads a report headed to next week's budget and audit committee meeting. "This will provide a legacy piece to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the amalgamation of the City of Cambridge."
Public art is defined by the city as "art that makes a significant positive contribution to the urban landscape, quality of life and is accessible." The piece can include sculptures, carvings, metal works, special architectural, digital technologies or landscape features.
Some examples of public art in the city are Indigena Domain, a large granite sculpture installed in front of city hall and the Cambridge Sculpture Garden on Grand Avenue South, which is managed by volunteers and funded by individual and private sector donations and government grants, including the city.
"Proposals are invited for a work, works or program of work that celebrates the one or more of the creative spirit, tradition of invention and industry, natural beauty and cultural heritage of the City of Cambridge," reads the report to council.
There is one main element that must be included in any submitted work– the rivers that connect the three main downtown cores. This will be a legacy piece that will live on forever in the city.
The city receives an annual contribution of $25,000 provided from the Capital Works Reserve Fund to the Public Art Reserve Fund, bringing the current balance to $305,866.
The city looks at this balance as a sufficient budget to cover the request for the $250,000 anniversary project.
The competition is open to anyone in Canada and will happen in two stages. First, artists will be called to submit their interest and a general outline of their proposal, including a suggested site. Any site that is being suggested must be on city owned property.
Second, up to five proposals will be short listed and these artists will receive an honorarium towards producing their proposals of $2,000. The city will then gather all the short-listed artists in Cambridge to present their idea to the arts committee and the winner will be presented to city council.
The winning artist will be notified of the anticipated installation and public unveiling ceremony and celebration when the date is established.
More information and requirements can be found on the city's website.
