Placement: New Business
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Selection of Utility Box Wrap Artwork
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Submitted By: Bethany Grubbs, AICP, Senior Planner/Public Art Program
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal to enjoy culture, nature and fun activities.
Executive Summary (General Business): Due to the depletion of available images, a new call to artists was issued to replenish the collection and support upcoming utility box wrap installations as well as refresh existing ones. Submissions have been received and compiled for review by the Public Art Advisory Board.
Presentation Information: Staff will provide a presentation.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Board recommend that the Board approve the utility box wrap submissions that receive a simple majority of affirmative votes by the Public Art Advisory Board, without assigning order or priority.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Board amend the recommendation and approve submissions by simple majority vote but limit the total number of designs approved in this round to a defined number (e.g., 10 artworks).
2. Move that the Board reject the current batch of utility box wrap submissions, provide staff direction, and reopen the call to artists with revised guidelines.
Background: The first call for submissions, open from February 21 to April 7, 2025, welcomed all styles of artwork without restriction, including drawings, paintings, and photographs. A second call was later issued, extending the submission period through April 30, 2025, but limited eligibility to photographic works only. Our experience has been that the photographs work the best when utilized in this application, so we are focusing on those images initially.
Artists were encouraged to submit artwork that celebrates Florida’s natural beauty,
including but not limited to:
• Local flora and fauna
• Landscapes and natural environments
• Endangered species and conservation
• Unique neighborhood characteristics
Issues/Analysis: To facilitate the selection of new utility box wrap designs by the Public Art Advisory Board through a streamlined, majority-vote approval process.
Proposed Process:
• Each submission will be considered individually.
• Board members will vote Yes, No, or Abstain for each design.
• Submissions receiving a majority of Yes votes (excluding abstentions) will be approved for inclusion in the program.
• Approved designs will be added to a pool of eligible artworks for installation, with final placement and scheduling determined separately based on logistical considerations.
Financial Information: Artists are not compensated for their submissions; however, selected works may include the artist's signature as a form of public recognition.
Special Consideration: Installation timing, locations, or rotation order will be determined later by staff, not by the board’s voting outcome
Location of Project: Citywide
Attachments:
1. Presentation: Photograph Submissions
2. Call to Artists
3. Call to Artists - Extended
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: N/A