Largest Public Art Project in Jville History Needs You
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Art/Art-In-Public-Places/Art-In-Public-Places-February/i-tjPf8Tx/0/O/artinpublicplacescourthouse.jpg)
The Duval County Courthouse public art project is set to be one of the City’s most memorable permanent public art commissions in our history – with $866,000 allocated for public art from the construction budget as per the City of Jacksonville Art in Public Places Program ordinance. As the Art in Public Places Committee gears up to begin soliciting RFQs (Request for Qualifications) and the art selection process, the Cultural Council is seeking public input to help inform the process and shape the ultimate selection.
Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2015-jun-largest-public-art-project-in-jville-history-needs-you
With that amount of money, The City of Jacksonville and it's citizen should be able to come up with a great project that not only incorporates a one of a kind art installation, but hopefully a usable public space surrounding the art. At least I can hope. I will also participate in the process, to hopefully help produce something we can all be proud of.
Yes, I'd hate for that much money to spent on a piece of non-interactive art or static sculpture, when the space around it still needs so much work. With that type of money, the project should be one where the entire green space between the courthouse's front doors and Adams Street becomes an interactive piece of art that can be utilized by the public.
This is great! I always thought that lawn was a huge waste of space. If it could become a nice public park with some meaningful art that would be awesome. Part of me hopes it is a little more neo-classical in nature. Sending messages of justice and equality are important for civic spaces like this. Hell, it might even compel some of the people to actually do their job.
Dare we dream we could get something like Chicago's Cloud Gate bean structure?
QuoteThis is great! I always thought that lawn was a huge waste of space.
It's a much better temporary use for the space then a permanent highway:
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-feb-why-monroe-street-should-not-be-rebuilt (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-feb-why-monroe-street-should-not-be-rebuilt)
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-oct-rebuild-monroe-street-why-bother (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-oct-rebuild-monroe-street-why-bother)
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-jul-urban-infill-a-courthouse-square-for-jacksonville (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-jul-urban-infill-a-courthouse-square-for-jacksonville)
This has been going on for almost a decade and there is finally light at the end of the tunnel (an even brighter light now that Kimberly Daniels has been voted out of office, who at the last minute tried to steal away the AIPP monies that would be used to fund the courthouse plaza/art project and redirect those funds to the State Attorneys Office).
^^Yes, yes, very good ideas. Interactive art work project(s) that encourage people to hang around and spend some time in this area. It could be a great place to meet, have lunch, watch live entertainment. A big influence on the surrounding blocks which are much in need of revitalization.
Reinvest that money into DCPS Art programs and have the students create the art...
Quote from: Dapperdan on June 25, 2015, 11:28:26 AM
Dare we dream we could get something like Chicago's Cloud Gate bean structure?
Haha I can see it now. A chrome structure goes in place and causes the remaining historic buildings to go up in flames under the Florida sun.
I do agree though, a few large distinguished pieces of art, some shady trees along the sidewalks and some smaller interactive pieces would be really nice.
What about expanding the size of the park with some of the vacant lots around the courthouse to create a legitimate area for people to use? A nice park could attract some additional investments in the area around LaVilla. Right now, DT Jax has Hemming, but no real park land until you go up to Springfield or over to the stadium.
Quote from: camarocane on June 25, 2015, 02:59:27 PM
Reinvest that money into DCPS Art programs and have the students create the art...
I'm usually in favor of helping arts programs for kids but this is a big opportunity to get something major and iconic for the city. I don't think we should hand it over to children. Though they could, theoretically, be involved on some level.
Quote from: Andy on June 26, 2015, 10:09:40 AM
Quote from: camarocane on June 25, 2015, 02:59:27 PM
Reinvest that money into DCPS Art programs and have the students create the art...
I'm usually in favor of helping arts programs for kids but this is a big opportunity to get something major and iconic for the city. I don't think we should hand it over to children. Though they could, theoretically, be involved on some level.
Yes absolutely. +1000
If there is to be art work between the front of the courthouse and Adams Street, then get rid of those ugly as hell newspaper racks along the entry sidewalk.
I am amazed, or maybe not, that no one questions shelling out just short of $1M of the taxpayers' money for ART. Not a necessary building, or salaries, but ART. This is why many of us have ZERO faith in Government. Because all Big Government knows how to do is spend lots of taxpayer dollars on totally unnecessary things. You are taking money from taxpayers for this? Give the money back and it will be better served.
^haha would you like to receive your 50 cents back in the form of a check or coins? This mentality is why Jax doesn't have nice things. It is part of a city ordinance so if you don't like public art then start a petition to get that 3/4 of 1% requirement removed but good luck with that. The only reason it is so much is because the courthouse was an ungodly sum of money, no argument here that the project itself was a ridiculous waste of cash but in my opinion at least we can maybe get something nice out of it.
Quote from: UNFurbanist on July 05, 2015, 06:52:26 PM
^haha would you like to receive your 50 cents back in the form of a check or coins? This mentality is why Jax doesn't have nice things.
Don't worry, I'll cover his portion.
Quote from: Redbaron616 on July 05, 2015, 12:31:35 AM
I am amazed, or maybe not, that no one questions shelling out just short of $1M of the taxpayers' money for ART. Not a necessary building, or salaries, but ART. This is why many of us have ZERO faith in Government. Because all Big Government knows how to do is spend lots of taxpayer dollars on totally unnecessary things. You are taking money from taxpayers for this? Give the money back and it will be better served.
In terms or ROI, not sure there is any better way to spend the money, actually.
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=545431
QuoteReport says arts bring $2.4B economic impact to area
Wednesday, May 13, 10:57 AM EDT
By Max Marbut, Staff Writer
According to the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, the economic impact of $2.4 million in grants to arts and cultural organizations in 2014 yielded a return on investment of $70 million.
That's a nearly 20 percent increase compared to grants awarded in 2013, the group said.
Each year since 2009, the city has supported arts and culture by providing partial funding to nonprofits through the Cultural Service Grant program. For the past two years, the city has budgeted $2.4 million for that effort.
Tony Allegretti, Cultural Council executive director, said in a news release the $12 million growth in economic impact, even though the 2014 program funding was the same as 2013, proves the city's investment is working.
He also said part of the growth may be attributed to the continuing improvement in the economy, which allows people to have more disposable income.
"I think the major reason is the general economic comeback," Allegretti said.
The Cultural Council also released the results of an analysis of the economic impact of the creative industry in seven North Florida counties.
Combining jobs and sales generated by the creative sector in Duval, Baker, Clay, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties, the analysis concludes there is a $2.4 billion annual economic impact in those counties.
Allegretti said the counties were chosen to mirror the geographical area analyzed by the JAXUSA Partnership, the economic development arm of the JAX Chamber.
The assessment shows nearly 27,000 creative-related jobs and that from 2010 to 2013, industry jobs grew by 6 percent in the region.
The largest job growth — 32.1 percent — was in the sound engineer category.
Photographers represent the most common creative occupation with 3,271 jobs. Other jobs in the top five are singers and musicians, 2,540 jobs; authors and writers, 1,999; graphic designers, 1,638; and advertising sales agents, 1,114.
The Cultural Council administers the city's annual financial contribution to the arts and leads the advocacy effort to demonstrate the impact and value of culture in the community. The nonprofit organization is sponsored in part by the Florida Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture and the city.
mmarbut@jaxdailyrecord.com
QuoteI am amazed, or maybe not, that no one questions shelling out just short of $1M of the taxpayers' money for ART.
That could go a long way to help with the Library budgets, after all, do we want kids reading and using Libraries or do we want the homeless to have a prettier park to sleep in?
Quote from: mtraininjax on July 05, 2015, 09:50:08 PM
QuoteI am amazed, or maybe not, that no one questions shelling out just short of $1M of the taxpayers' money for ART.
That could go a long way to help with the Library budgets, after all, do we want kids reading and using Libraries or do we want the homeless to have a prettier park to sleep in?
N-no! The homeless might benefit, along with everyone else who has to go to the courthouse!?!?!? How fast can this project be shut down?
How will the 7/1/15 filing by Chief Judge Mark Mahon effect the largest Public Art Project in Jville History?
Quote from: mtraininjax on July 05, 2015, 09:50:08 PM
QuoteI am amazed, or maybe not, that no one questions shelling out just short of $1M of the taxpayers' money for ART.
That could go a long way to help with the Library budgets, after all, do we want kids reading and using Libraries or do we want the homeless to have a prettier park to sleep in?
Art increases a city's value, which could lead to help for libraries and the homeless and a dozen other things in the future. Art and culture are a major consideration in what makes people visit, relocate and spend money in a city. It's an investment towards growth. Nobody is moving to a city for it's happenin' Library scene.
Quote from: Andy on July 07, 2015, 10:56:03 AM
Quote from: mtraininjax on July 05, 2015, 09:50:08 PM
QuoteI am amazed, or maybe not, that no one questions shelling out just short of $1M of the taxpayers' money for ART.
That could go a long way to help with the Library budgets, after all, do we want kids reading and using Libraries or do we want the homeless to have a prettier park to sleep in?
Art increases a city's value, which could lead to help for libraries and the homeless and a dozen other things in the future. Art and culture are a major consideration in what makes people visit, relocate and spend money in a city. It's an investment towards growth. Nobody is moving to a city for it's happenin' Library scene.
Exactly, Andy. I am surprised people would have to be convinced of the value of art. Some of its many benefits are economic, visual, intellectual and that it helps define a sense of place.