The Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission (UMVRDC) has created a regional public art plan for our 5-county region of Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Swift and Yellow Medicine counties. Forecast Public Art and the Southwest Minnesota and Arts Humanities Council (SMAHC) teamed up to offer $2000 planning grants for public art projects in our region. The UMVRDC received one of these grants to begin the process of drafting a regional public art plan.
In early 2012 Kristi Fernholz, UMVRDC Senior Planner, convened a group of interested people to discuss issues and questions around creating more public art in Region 6W. From these meetings and research with Forecast Public Art, a short document was created for artists, community members, government entities or arts organizations to utilize to when starting a public art project.
“Great public art will be created throughout our five-county region that will engage the residents of our communities.”
Included in the document is an outline of the process:
- Engage the public with art;
- Connect a project with city needs; and
- Involve great artists.
The plan also includes ideas for communication with the public and city government, a list of common city needs, ideas for funding, and project ideas to help your community start brainstorming.
Public art can have a very positive effect on communities. With the Legacy funds that are currently available, opportunities exist to identify and implement some exciting projects. You can view the Public Art Plan by clicking here.
After viewing the plan, please take a few minutes and answer the four questions at the bottom of the page. Your answers are confidential and will be used for future planning efforts.
Looking for more information?
- Your public art ideas can be sent to Kristi Fernholz at kristi.fernholz@umvrdc.org or posted on the Public Art in Western Minnesota Facebook page.
- For more information on Forecast Public Art, please visit their website at www.ForecastPublicArt.org.
- SMAHC has grants to support public art projects. Go to www.smahc.org and check out Art Project and Arts Legacy Project Grants and Arts Legacy Planning Grants.
Public Art Survey
We would love to hear your ideas about public art! Your ideas will be forwarded on to Kristi Fernholz, UMVRDC Senior Planner. All information is confidential and will not be given or sold to third parties.
