Where’s the one per cent?

by Rick Dawes

A local artist who attended the City of Windsor’s Cultural Summit at the McKenzie Hall Cultural Centre Feb. 13 is questioning why the city hasn’t set aside one per cent of municipal construction costs to purchase local art for new facilities.

Nearly 80 people attended the summit hosted by the city’s Cultural Affairs Office, to learn about upcoming events, hear community updates and to vocalize their thoughts on the subject.

The opening presentation was followed by a question and answer period. Jim Mroczkowski, a member of Arts Council Windsor & Region, stood up and asked why the idea of reserving money for the purchase of local art is scheduled for consideration in 2014 when Windsor has a multimillion dollar swimming complex under construction right now.

“The Public Art Advisory Council Committee of the City of Windsor has recommended that all new construction of municipal buildings set aside one per cent for the cost of art,” said Mroczkowski. “It’s up to the municipality to set aside a committee of experts to go and specifically send out a call for a proposal for the construction of art deliberately designed for the new buildings.”

Known as Recommendation 11 of the Municipal Cultural Master Plan, the section reads, “For all civic developments, Windsor should officially incorporate a ‘one per cent allocation’ of the budget for construction costs of civic buildings for public art projects into its existing public art policy, likely up to some capped dollar-amount per year (e.g. $300,000). Any acquisition and unveiling of a new public work of art should strive to generate media attention to demonstrate the city’s support for the cultural sector.”

One per cent of the nearly $72 million Family Aquatic Complex would amount to approximately $720,000. Some of that money could have found its way to local artists, said Mroczkowski.

“Waiting until 2014 defeats the point,” he said.

This discussion of local concerns and suggestions was exactly what manager of cultural affairs Cathy Masterson wanted to hear. While Mroczkowski’s question was directed to Masterson, city council will have the final say and the Cultural Affairs Office will follow their instruction said Masterson.

“Council has endorsed the master plan but we still have to work through the recommendations. This idea is still not policy,” she said. “We will research other municipalities and take into account the economy at the time we bring it forward to council. We’ll do what they say.”

Mroczkowski, who is also a painter, said art produced specifically for a new building fits in better than art chosen after construction by design consultants.

“This is not something that would be added on. It’s built into the overall design of the construction,” he said.