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PUBLIC ART DONATION PROGRAM

The City of Sarasota welcomes and encourages the donation of works of art to be displayed in public places within the City.To further that end, the City Commission, upon recommendation of its Public Art Committee, has established the Public Art Donation Program.

1. PURPOSE:The purpose of the Public Art Donation Program is to increase the visual and artistic quality of the City by facilitating the donation of works of art to the City for placement in public places.

2. GENERAL CRITERIA FOR DONATION OF ART WORKS:

A. Works of Art:Works of art which are proposed to be donated to the City and placed in public places must:

1) Meet the definition of public art as set forth in Section II-201 of the City’s Land Development Regulations;

2) Be appropriate for viewing by all citizens and visitors of the City;

3) Increase the visual and artistic quality of the area in which they are placed;

4) Not impose unreasonable risks in regard to City liability; and

5) Not require significant periodic maintenance or repair.

B. Balance of Work in Public Spaces:In the long term, the City will strive to maintain a collection of public art which reflects a balance between traditional works and contemporary works; works by regional and national artists; and works which reflect the cultural diversity of the community.

C. Conditions of Donations:The owner of the work of art will be required to transfer all right, title and interest to the art work to the City.As the owner of the art work the City will have the right to locate, relocate, store, or sell the art work without condition.

D. Visual Arts Rights Act:The City acknowledges the enactment of the Visual Artists Right Act (VARA) by the Congress of the United States.The stated purpose of VARA is to protect and preserve works of art and protect artists moral rights pertaining to the integrity of a work of art and the attribution of the work of art to the artist.In furtherance of this commitment the City Commission affirms:

1) that the City will not knowingly or willingly permit the alteration of any work of art in its public art collection other than those alterations undertaken or agreed to by the artist;

2) that the City will not knowingly or willingly permit the mutilation or destruction of any work of art acquired under the public art program;

3.REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCESS:

A. Application:Persons wishing to donate art to the City should contact Public Art Committee staff located in the City’s Department of Planning and Development, 303 A City Hall or at (941) 954-4195.Staff will assist the proposed donor with the completion of documentation and the review and approval process.

B. Administrative Review:Planning Department staff will coordinate an administrative review by the Risk Management Office, the Engineering Department, and the Department of Public Works.

C. Public Art Committee Review and Approval:The City’s Public Art Committee consider the administrative assessment, review the work of art as to its appropriateness for inclusion in the City’s art collection, and make a recommendation to the City Manager or the City Commission, as is deemed appropriate, regarding the acceptance of the proposed donation.

D. Final Action:Upon receipt of the Public Art Committee’s recommendation the City Manager or the City Commission will decide to accept or reject the proposed donation.