Duluth Creates Public Arts Commission

Duluth now has a permanent Public Arts Commission.

The Duluth City Council unanimously voted at its March 11 meeting to create the commission and adopted guidelines for its formation. The council also established a Performing Art and Acquisition Fund (PAAF) that will accept contributions from developers and others.

DPAC’s role will be to support performing arts, promote public art projects, and encourage developers to install public art in the city. The PAAF would be managed by DPAC.

The commission will consist of nine members appointed by the council to four-year staggered terms. Five members will be required to live in the city.

The commission’s first significant task will be to create a public art master plan estimated to cost $75,000. Funding for the plan is expected to be part of the city’s upcoming FY2014 budget discussions.

The guidelines for DPAC were developed by city staff and citizens serving on a DPAC Formation Committee.

The commission will be required to submit an annual report to the council for review. Also, at the suggestion of Councilman Billy Jones, the council added a requirement that a preliminary report be presented in August for use in preparing the city’s budget.

The city will be soliciting and accepting applications for DPAC membership.

See also:

• DPAC Creation Placed on Agenda
• Public Arts Commission Proposed