HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/17/2000, C15 - GRANT APPLICATION FOR IRON ROAD PIONEERS SCULPTURE FUNDINGI�
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CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISP.O
FROM: Ken Hampian, Assistant City Administrative Officer41
Prepared By: Wendy George, Assistant to the City Administrative Officer
SUBJECT: GRANT APPLICATION FOR "IRON ROAD PIONEERS" SCULPTURE
FUNDING
CAO RECOMMENDATIONS:
Authorize staff to apply for a grant from the Gunk Foundation for funding toward the Iron Road
Pioneers sculpture project.
DISCUSSION
Background
In 1994, the City was approached by a well -known local sculptor, Elizabeth MaQQueen, about the
possibility of installing a bronze sculpture of her creation at Railroad Square to honor the Chinese
who worked on the railroad in San Luis Obispo County. A clay maquette, which was later cast in
bronze, was developed and reviewed by the Cultural Heritage Committee and the Architectural
Review Committee. Both approved the work for placement at the proposed site in Railroad Square.
Initial efforts for private fundraising were unsuccessful and the project languished for several years.
Eventually, a new committee, The Committee for the Sculpture at Railroad Square, was formed.
City staff met with this committee to explore ways that the City could assist in the process of the
sculpture's creation. As a result, at its October 21, 1997, meeting the Council approved a matching
grant of up to $50,000 to be used to partially defray the anticipated $115,000 cost of the sculpture.
A contract between Ms. McQueen, the Committee and the City was approved in October, 1998, and
fundraising has been underway since then. To date, the Committee has raised close to $50,000.
Gunk Foundation Grant
Recently, staff discovered a grant offered by the Gunk Foundation of New York for public art
projects. The Foundation is looking for projects that bring art out of the galleries and into the
spaces of public life, like transportation sites and city streets, to be seen by people outside the art
and academic worlds. The grant criteria also stress that the project should broach historical,
social or cultural issues that are relevant to the situation in which the artwork will be seen.
Normal grants range in value from $1,000 to $5,000.
Staff believes that the Iron Road Pioneers sculpture is an excellent match for the intent of the
Foundation's grant. On behalf of the Committee, we are seeking the Council's approval for the
City to submit an application for funding. The Committee still needs to raise about $25,000 to
fulfill the contract with the sculptor and off -set the cost of their fundraising expenses
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Couticil Agqhda Report — Giant Funding for Iron.-Fload Pioneers ScUlpture
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FISCAL IMPACT
There is• no cost to the City in applying for this giant, other than a minimum amount of staff time
to complete a rather simple application form.
ATTACHMENTS
Grant information and guidelines
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Gunk Foundation Grants for Public Art
T H E 6 U N K
> Grant Guidelines 1>, Selection criteria p application Form
http: / /www.gunk.org /info/
Attachment
Page 1
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The Grants for Public Art Projects intend to challenge the current
I N " G
market- dominated system of art production and to move art out of the
market and into the "public realm. "Given the lack of funding for art and
creciat
artists in our country, art production is often geared towards what sells and
PROJECTS
not what provokes thought.
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For the most part, people who go to galleries or museums or even
alternative spaces are people who are "in the know" in the art and
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academic worlds. The Gunk Foundation is interested in supporting
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projects that make it out of the museum, gallery, and alternative spaces
,
and into the spaces of daily life. For example, work that is shown in the
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spaces of public transportation, city streets, or work places and is seen by
people 'outside" of the art and academic worlds. We are also interested in
work that catches one by surprise- -the audience may not plan to be an
audience (like planning to go see a movie) but is one inadvertantly (the
movie is projected on a building that they pass by). It is our belief that
work that is site specific and that cuts into the space of everyday life will
have the most profound effect on politicizing the public realm.
At the present, the grant committee has decided that the internet is not a
"public" domain given the prohibitive costs of accessing it, and the limited
scope of its audience. However, this decision may change in the future.
The committee is also hesitant to fund production of video or film unless it
has been specifically earmarked for a public space (such as public access
television or outdoor screenings).
Api lication Form
I Grant Info l special Proiects l Crltical Press l Grant Archive l Home 1
01999, The Gunk Foundation.infoOeunk.ore
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Gunk Foundation Grants for Public Art
TMEGUNI[
> Grant Guidelines P> Selection criteria tr Application Form
http://www.gunk.org/info/gtudel.html
Attachment
Page 2
The Foundation assumes no responsibility for submitted materials.
If return of materials is desired, please include a self - addressed
stamped envelope.
Postmark Deadlines: April 30 and October 31
The amount and quantity of grants will depend on the quality and quantity
of applicants. They will most likely range between $1,000 and $5,000.
Please send grant applications to:
The Gunk Foundation
P.O. Box 333 Gardiner, NY 12525
Fax/Phone:(914) 255 -8252
E -Mail: info @gunk.org
[ Grant Info I Special Projects I Critical Press i Grant Archive I Nome 1
01999, The Gunk Foundation.info�ciguntora
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Grant Guidelines
16 RANT
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Grant proposals must include the following:
SPECIAL
Completed Application Form..(Please print out and fill in.)
PROJECTS
Resume(s) of the project participant(s)
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Example of previous work done (slides, video, or short written pieces.
No original work please!)
One page summary of the proposed project (this can be more detailed
than what is on the application form).
7- Budget and time line (predicted costs, source of other funds if needed,
and when the project will be presented).
The Foundation assumes no responsibility for submitted materials.
If return of materials is desired, please include a self - addressed
stamped envelope.
Postmark Deadlines: April 30 and October 31
The amount and quantity of grants will depend on the quality and quantity
of applicants. They will most likely range between $1,000 and $5,000.
Please send grant applications to:
The Gunk Foundation
P.O. Box 333 Gardiner, NY 12525
Fax/Phone:(914) 255 -8252
E -Mail: info @gunk.org
[ Grant Info I Special Projects I Critical Press i Grant Archive I Nome 1
01999, The Gunk Foundation.info�ciguntora
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