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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTAgenda Item _ 8 AGENDA REPORT Reviewed: City ager Finance Director N/A MEETING DATE: MARCH 20, 2020 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: MATTHEW S. WEST, CITY MANAGER SUBJECT: PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT SUMMARY: Mayor Bernstein appointed an ad hoc committee consisting of Mayor Pro Tem Clark and Councilmember Cooper to interview the Public Art Committee candidates and make a recommendation to the full City Council. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council appoint Janet Lomax to serve a four-year term on the Public Art Committee. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this item. BACKGROUND: On January 9, 2020, Bonny Hsu submitted her letter of resignation, effective immediately, due to a change in residency outside the city's jurisdiction. Mayor Bernstein appointed an ad hoc committee consisting of Mayor Pro Tem Clark and Council Member Cooper to interview the candidates. On March 10, 2020, Mayor Pro Tem Clark and Councilmember Cooper interviewed the following five candidates for the Public Art Committee: Erin Bruner, Matt Linton, Janet Lomax, Julie Diebolt Price and Linda Rife. Mayor Pro Tem Clark and Councilmember Cooper are recommending the following applicant for Council's consideration: Janet Lomax. 2020 Public Art Committee Appointment Page 2 of 3 Below is an excerpt from the candidate's application responding to What qualifies you to serve on this committee? Janet Lomax: As a resident of Orange County for nearly 20 years (more than half of that time as a homeowner in Tustin), my entire career has been centered in the field of contemporary art where I have worked in and for the region's most prestigious museums, with curators and artists engaged in Southern California's art scene. An early position in the Curatorial department at Orange County Museum of Art supported the activities of the Collections Committee and exposed me to the acquisitions process. As a Development professional, I've helped curators fund exhibitions of today's most important artists; biennials have been milestone learning experiences, as they offer the opportunity to discover the perspectives and practices of emerging innovators. As an independent contractor, I have gained a special appreciation for public art, as I've worked with nonprofits that have an established public art program. LAXART has been installing temporary works in various media in the public realm for over a decade. Desert X is a biennial that invites artists from all over the world to create ambitious new works in response to the unique conditions of the California Desert. The inaugural 2017 exhibition featured 15 indoor and outdoor installations across the Coachella Valley, and the next iteration launches in February 2019. An arts education organization, artworxLA has given high-risk students the chance to collaborate with working artists to paint murals in Los Angeles. I'm very happy to be closely involved in the inter -workings of entities that share my belief that art can make a difference in people's lives. Through this specialized work experience, I have gained a knowledge of contemporary art that continues to grow with each new exhibition or art project. But even more importantly, I understand the way that art defines a community and the impact of engagement with it. Public art has a presence in open space. It beckons for interaction and leaves a lasting impression. Much of my time is spent on grants that are focused on making the arts accessible to everyone, regardless of socio-economic background. I work alongside the staff to conceptualize and fund a new initiative or help an artist have the resources to realize a long overdue project. I am a strategic thinker and valuable team member. My passion for art overflows from my career to my personal life, as I seek out museums and cultural sites in my travels to New York, Boston, Washington D.C., San Francisco and Seattle, among other destinations. One of my favorite memories is attending the opening week for the Seattle Art Museum's new Olympic Sculpture Park. A recent visit to Tennessee included an afternoon exploring the museum galleries. I love it when I come across a public art piece on 2020 Public Art Committee Appointment Page 3 of 3 a work day in downtown Los Angeles. I would be delighted to put my expertise to work on a special committee that makes art a part of my own city environment.