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PUBLIC ART POLICY
The mission of the Greater Augusta Arts Council (G.AAC) is to enrich the quality of life for
citizens and visitors in Augusta and the Central Savannah River Area by advancing a vibrant cultural
arts agenda.
Art enhances Augusta's identity as a community that values creative and diverse expressions. It
builds our sense of civic pride and enriches the quality of our lives. Public Art fulfills these purposes in
many ways; it improves our experience of public spaces through artistic design; itt enhances and
preserves our vistas, it can introduce whimsical elements into otherwise ordinary spaces and it engages
us in our community's activities, hopes and history.
In recognition of the importance of integrating public art into the lives of residents of Augusta,
the Greater Augusta Arts Council, as the public art agency of Augusta, supports a strong public art
policy in Augusta, Georgia.
To this end the Greater Augusta Arts Council provides the Augusta, Georgia public art policy
with the following goals in mind:
• To create exciting, appealing and harmonious public spaces by integrating art into
architecture, urban design and the planning of infrastructure at the earliest design stage;
• To enhance Augusta's image locally, regionally and nationally by insuring the creation of
the highest quality public art;
• To foster the public's understanding and enjoyment of public art;
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• To encourage artists to work and live in Augusta and participate in public presentations of
their art in Augusta, Georgia; and
• To encourage federal, state, city and private support for Augusta's public art program.
• To facilitate the creation of a unique community identity in pursuit of transforming the area
into a noted arts destination community.
1) PUBLIC ART COVERED BY THE POLICY:
This policy applies to original works of art that are durable or temporary, and accessible
to the public; reflect an awareness of the site, both physically and socially; and fit the historical
and cultural values and sensibilities of the community. Public art governed by this policy
includes all of the following works of art:
a. Works of art owned or acquired by the consolidated government of Augusta,
Georgia or GAAC
b. Works of art donated or loaned to Augusta, Georgia or GAAC (whether provided by
the artist, a private entity, or a foundation).
c. Works of art that are displayed (or the owner seeks to display) at any public space in
Richmond County, Georgia.
Art, as defined by this policy, encompasses the broadest definition of visual art
including(but not limited to)
• sculpture, painting, drawing, photography, murals, glass or water features,
landscaping,
• uniquely designed or site specific paving,
• furniture and parts of buildings,
• sound and light works,
• organic form,
• works that are designed to be temporary in nature,
• memorabilia or ceremonial objects related to civic activities.
• temporary exhibits, exhibitions, and/or works of art located in public space,
• works of arts produced through involvement of the community,
• integration of art and architecture to enhance the design of urban/public spaces.
• performance works made available and accessible to the general public.
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Public space is defined as a space which is easily accessible and clearly visible for
public view. This includes, but is not limited to, buildings, parks, streets, squares, promenades,
public foyers and plazas.
Works of art selected must comply with constitutionally acceptable principles. For
example, GAAC in its advisory capacity will refuse to display work that is constitutionally
unprotected, such as: libelous or defamatory work, child pornography, or obscenity (i.e.
sexually explicit and "patently offensive" work that lacks artistic value). Let it be noted, nudity
does not automatically suggest that the artwork is obscene in all public space. However, if it is
portrayed in a public space likely to be seen by children, additional consideration will be taken
with respect to such artwork of art.
2) POLICY ADMINISTRATION:
The Greater Augusta Arts Council will have advisory and recommending oversight of
all aspects of this policy, including, but not limited to: program implementation, planning,
commissioning, acquiring, handling, conserving and maintaining of all public art (services)
covered by this policy reporting and coordinating through the Recreation and Parks Department
of Augusta, Georgia.
The GAAC will establish a seven (7)person Panel to perform some or all of the aspects
of this policy as well as to serve in an advisory capacity to the GAAC with respect to the
administration of this policy. The members of the Panel will be appointed by and serve at the
pleasure of the GAAC. The Panel will be chaired by the GAAC Vice President of Public Art.
Members of the Panel may include: GAAC Executive Director, GAAC staff, GAAC board
members; community artists, art professors and educators; local historians, public art
administrators, architects, landscape architects, museum and exhibition curators, and art critics,
a representative from the Augusta Convention and Visitor's Bureau, a representative from the
Augusta Chamber of Commerce, a representative from the Recreation and Parks Department, a
representative from Central Services Department, a representative from Augusta Tomorrow or
any other person deemed appropriate by the GAAC. In order to be a member of the Panel the
individual must be a resident of Richmond County, Georgia. GAAC will meet routinely or as
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called with the Public Art Advisory Panel to hear updates, discuss committee recommendations
and to assist GAAC in finalizing recommendations and advisement regarding Public Art that
will be made to the Recreation and Parks Department of Augusta, Georgia.
All budgetary discretion and allocations required to implement this policy will be
recommended from GAAC to the Recreation and Parks Department. Specific art project
allocations may include: staffing, any project consultant fees, GAAC administrative costs,
programming costs, and project implementation costs.
Conflicts of Interest
Any conduct that creates an appearance of impropriety or may otherwise impair a Panel
member's judgment is prohibited. Anyone in a position to receive financial gain from the
selection of artist(s) will be ineligible to serve on the Panel. Panel members must declare any
conflict of interest and recuse themselves if a conflict of interest arises. Additionally, GAAC
will recognize Augusta Conflict of Interest Ordinance 7427. Specifically exhibits B, D and F
are to be recognized.
Panel Length of Appointment:
Advisory Panel members will serve for a maximum of three (3) years per appointment.
After this time,the GAAC may choose to reappoint the member or to appoint a new member in
his/her place. However, no Panel member may serve more than two (2) consecutive three (3)
year appointments.
Panel Responsibilities:
The Panel will serve as the selection committee for the Public Art to be displayed in the
Greater Augusta area. In addition to ensuring that all public art complies with the requirements
of this policy, the Panel should strive to select art that will enhance the culture of Augusta
while maintaining the vision of the GAAC.
The Panel will be responsible for conducting surveys of existing art exhibits to
determine information including, but not limited to, artist, ownership, liability, maintenance,
funding, etc. The Panel will also be responsible for maintaining a database of all current and
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future Art. The Panel will be in charge of the Call for Artists, Proposal and Art reviews, and
other such items/events.
The Panel will work in partnership with the GAAC, Recreation and Parks Department
and all appropriate Augusta, Georgia departments in the implementation of, planning,
commissioning, acquisition, handling, conservation and maintenance of all public art work
under the jurisdiction of these entities.
3) SITE SELECTION
Sites for Public Art covered by this Policy are locations in Augusta which are identified
as suitable for Public Art Projects and are physically and/or visually accessible to and by the
public. Public art projects covered by this policy for which public money is utilized are to be
located on public property owned by Augusta.
Augusta, Georgia Initiated Projects
GAAC working with the Augusta, Georgia Commission through the Recreation and
Parks Department, will implement the Public Arts Master Plan (Plan), which will identify
appropriate and significant sites for the location of public art. The GAAC and City have
partnered and initiated a comprehensive community planning process in developing this Plan
and shall ensure that any subsequent modifications or plan updates provides appropriate
opportunities for public input into public art projects. The Plan should complement and
supplement Augusta's various other planning documents guiding the growth and development
of Augusta, such as, but not limited to, the 2009 Master Plan for Augusta (Westobou Vision),
the Augusta Sustainable Development Agenda (2010), Augusta Convention and Visitor Bureau
2016 Destination Plan, and Recreation and Parks Department Master Plan.
The initial Plan shall be submitted to the Augusta, Georgia Commission through the
Recreation and Parks Department for their review and approval. The Plan will be reviewed and
updated every five (5) years and may also be revised at such other times as deemed necessary
by the Commission, the Recreation and Parks Department, or GAAC. The GAAC, working
with the Panel, will identify the highest priority projects described in the Plan and recommend
those projects annually to the Recreation and Parks Department for implementation as funding
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allows each budget year. As much as possible, these projects should correspond with new
construction or renovation projects planned by the Augusta, Georgia Commission for that same
budget year.
Criteria will be developed by the GAAC to guide the placement of off-site and on-site
projects in order to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of public art throughout Augusta,
Georgia that enhances, anchors, and activates public spaces. These criteria will ensure artwork
is displayed prominently on the building site, or if it is integrated into the architecture, ensures
that the artwork is recognizable.
Community Initiated Projects
Any Augusta, Georgia resident, community group or neighborhood association may
propose to GAAC a public art project for a site that may or may not be on the Public Art
Master Plan. Additionally, any Augusta, Georgia resident, community group or neighborhood
association may submit an existing work of art, located on private or public property, for
inclusion in the Public Art inventory under the guidance of the GAAC and in full collaboration
with the Recreation and Parks Department.
Sites where public art is to be displayed should:
1) Experience high levels of pedestrian or motor traffic and be part of Augusta, Georgia's
paths of circulation;
2) Be easily visible and accessible to the public;
3) Serve to anchor and activate the site;
4) Enhance the overall public environment;
5) Enhance the streetscape experience for pedestrians;
6) Help to create a place of congregation and activity;
7) Establish landmarks and neighborhood gateways; and
8) Be dispersed throughout Augusta, Georgia.
The following points should be considered in site selection:
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1) Work displayed in interior public spaces will be accessible to the public at least during
normal building operating hours without requiring the public to obtain special passes or
permits to view the work;
2) Work displayed in exterior public spaces should be accessible to the maximum extent
possible. If a work is to be located in a park or similar setting, it should be assessable
during the normal operating hours of that site or facility;
3) Work should not block windows or entranceways or obstruct normal pedestrian circulation
entering or exiting a building (unless it is specifically a part of the experience or design of
the work);
4) Work should not be placed at site if the landscaping and maintenance requirements of that
site cannot be met;
5) Work should be sited for immediate and/or maximum visibility;
6) Work should be sited where it is not overwhelmed by, or competing with, the scale of the
site, adjacent architecture, large retail signage, billboards, etc;
7) Work should be placed at a site where it will enhance the surroundings;
8) Work should not create a blind spot where illegal activity can take place;
9) Work should be sited where it will create a place of congregation or in a location that
experiences high levels of pedestrian traffic and activity and;
10)Work should be sited where it will be effective in enhancing and activating the pedestrian
and streetscape experience.
11)The installation of public artwork should comply with any master plan developed for the
intended site, including any neighborhood or park master plans.
On-site locations for public art projects include, but are not limited to, the following: walls,
ceilings, floors, windows, staircases, escalators, roof tops, and entrances and exits. Works of
Public Art are to be located on-site grounds, or in a facility or other complex of buildings
adjacent to such a project site.
4) ELIGIBLE PUBLIC ART PROJECTS
1. Public Art Projects may include:
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• The commissioning of permanent or temporary works designed for specific public sites
in Augusta;
• The loan,purchase or donation of art works deemed appropriate for public sites;
• Artists contracted to work as integral members of architectural, infrastructure, and
urban design teams; and
• Installations, artist-in-residence programs, and other short-term projects or planning
activities that result in the creation of temporary or permanent public art.
5) COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Each public art project created through this policy shall include an outreach program
created and lead by GAAC and encourage community involvement in the implementation of
the project, as well as inform and educate citizens about the project.
Involvement from citizens within the community is essential to the success of the
program. Citizens may be asked to submit ideas for sites and/or upcoming projects as well as
given the opportunity to sit on citizen selection panels. All citizens with an interest in
improving their community are welcome. Results from such outreach activities will be shared
with the Recreation and Parks Department.
The involvement of the community in public art should:
a) Engage people in meaningful communication over their communities' needs and aspirations for
the future;
b) Involve community members in the process of creating Public Art by appropriate means;
c) Develop local artistic skills and empower local communities to lead on projects;
d) Support Public Art projects that celebrate cultural diversity and help to break down barriers
between people of all ages and backgrounds.
6) ARTIST SELECTION:
The policy encourages the commission of works by artists from the CSRA arts community.
The encouragement of CSRA residents to participate is an integral part of the policy, and will
contribute to the unique identity of Augusta, Georgia as an outstanding city in the state, region,
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and nation. This policy does not preclude consideration given to regional, national and
international artists when appropriate. The Panel will determine the method of soliciting artist
qualifications (open competition, limited competition and specific commission or acquisition)
and the method of selecting the artist (review of qualifications, interview, or competitive
proposal) that best suits a particular project. The Panel and the selected artist will develop a
plan for community engagement that best fits the needs of the project and the community.
• Open call—Publicly advertised calls for entries; any artist may submit proposals and/or
qualifications
• Limited Competition—between invited parties
• Specific Commission — This method would apply where limited or open competition
would be impractical or inappropriate.
The Panel will:
• Review artist qualifications and proposals;
• Make final recommendations to the GAAC regarding artist selection and concept design
approval;
• Advise and assist in community outreach;
• Finalize the vision for each project;
• Coordinate subsequent stages of project development and review, working through the
conventional capital project management process as members of the overall project
design and construction team.
Selection of Artists will be based on the following items:
• The artist's vitae(name, education, professional experience, references, etc.)
• A statement of interest about the project;
• Visual support materials/examples of previous artwork;
• Request for qualifications (RFQ) or requests for proposals (RFP), depending on the
project;
• The proposed maintenance and funding plan.
7) OWNERSHIP/COPYRIGHT:
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The following documentation must be filed with GAAC and the Recreations and Parks
Department at the completion of the public art project:
• Biographical details of the artist(s);
• Artist statement and specifications of the artwork;
• Six good quality slides/digital images and four black and white prints showing the
artwork in context and close-up;
• Other related materials as needed to reveal the artwork and/or artist intentions (e.g. film,
video clips, book works etc.);
• A copy of the artist's maintenance plan.
The artist retains all rights under the Copyright Act of 1976 (17 USC Section 101) as the
sole author of the work for the duration of the copyright. The duration of copyright in the
United States is currently the life of the author plus seventy (70) years. Title to the artwork
passes to the City of Augusta or commissioning agency/organization upon their written
acceptance of and payment for the work; copyright belongs to and remains with the artist.
Rights to Reproduce the Work
The artist and client or commissioning agency must each agree to the right to reproduce
the artwork in any and all forms. Typically, artists grant the client or commissioning
agency/organization license to make two-dimensional reproductions of the work for non-
commercial and educational purposes. The client or commissioning agency/organization in
turns agrees to include a credit to the artist and a notice of copyright on all such reproductions.
Additional Rights
It is standard professional practice that agencies agree not to intentionally alter, modify,
change, destroy, or damage the work of art without first obtaining permission from the artist. If
the artist's work is accidentally damaged, the artist has the right to request that the work not be
attributed to the artist until such time as the work is fully restored.
8) FUNDING:
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Funding options for implementation and support of Augusta, Georgia's Public Art
Master Plan will be defined within the 2016 Augusta Public Master Art Plan and will be
updated with each five (5) year updating of the plan. Commission approval of the plan
and associated funding (including any additional funding sources identified and agreed
upon) will be a collaborative process including GAAC, Recreation and Parks
Department, Commission and/or any private funding sources.
9) MAINTENANCE AND CONSERVATION:
Artwork can be affected by exposure to light (natural and artificial), wind, air-borne
dust, temperature and humidity changes, vibration, precipitation and other conditions. On
occasion, an artwork may also suffer physical damage as a result of accident or vandalism. The
Greater Augusta Arts Council is committed to the ongoing presence and integrity of public art
and the sites for which public art is created, to preserving the vision of the artists who create
public art and to assuring continued access to the artworks in Augusta, Georgia's collection by
the public.
Objectives:
1. To inspect the condition of city-owned public artwork on a regular basis;
2. To assure appropriate cleaning and provision of other appropriate routine maintenance to
public artwork;
3. To insure timely conservation of public artwork;
4. To integrate longevity and maintenance considerations into artist's planning, and city
approval processes for artwork;
5. To assure maintenance of artworks so that they continue to be safe and contribute to the
vitality of communities;
6. To establish a treatment and maintenance program for public art with regular procedures,
agreements and documentation;
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7. To educate public employees about public art and its important role in public infrastructure
and planning;
8. To leverage private and volunteer support for maintenance of public art, whenever possible.
General Policies for Maintenance and Conservation
Works of arts shall be efficiently maintained and preserved in the best possible
condition as understood by the Greater Augusta Arts Council program and consistent with the
artist's original intention. Allowance for the cost of ongoing maintenance of new works will
need to be planned for and may need to be reviewed by a certified conservator for care and
maintenance plan.
Responsibility,Authority and Partners
The Greater Augusta Arts Council shall advise and make recommendation to the
Recreation and Parks Department regarding conservation of public art. The Public Art
Advisory Panel shall oversee any condition assessment, treatment, maintenance, disposition
and relocation of artwork,working in collaboration with the following partners:
1. Artists: Artists shall develop artwork with maintenance requirements that can be
realistically maintained. Artist's specifications may be taken into account in maintaining
artwork along with applicable conservation standards. Artists (if possible) shall be notified
of all repairs and may be involved in conducting treatments and maintenance.
2. Experts: Arts professionals, professional arts conservators, and city staff familiar with art
materials, fabrication methods, and the artistic intent shall inspect and evaluate artwork.
Maintenance Planning and Documentation for Existing Works
Artwork shall receive regular, thorough, condition examinations, which include the
present locations and conditions of artwork, as well as cost estimates for treatment and
maintenance. These thorough examinations shall occur annually, semi-annually, quarterly, or
monthly depending upon the needs of individual works. They shall also occur when required
by reports of damage.
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A maintenance plan shall include detailed specifications for monthly maintenance,
maintenance of plantings (if applicable), annual routine maintenance, other periodic
maintenance and a long-term prognosis.
Maintenance Planning and Documentation for New Works
Artists shall be commissioned to develop sustainable artwork; that is artwork which can
be realistically maintained by Augusta, Georgia as budgeted through or sustained through the
Recreation and Parks Department and within the guidelines described in these policies and
procedures. Artists shall work with the Greater Augusta Arts Council to implement
preventative maintenance strategies as part of the construction and installation of artwork, as
long as those strategies do not interfere with the approved artist's proposal or integrity of the
artwork.
All new artwork must have a treatment and maintenance plan that projects both staff
time and funding needs. Condition assessments and maintenance plans for new works shall
also include an estimated life span for each artwork. As part of their contractual requirements,
commissioned artists shall consult with the Greater Augusta Arts Council on a maintenance
plan for each new artwork. These maintenance plans shall include documentation of materials
used to fabricate the artwork and a reasonable annual budget for maintenance. Maintenance
plans for new works shall be reviewed and approved by the GAAC to ensure there are no major
concerns with materials, safety or maintenance.
Before design approval and prior to final receipt and completion, an art conservator, or
other qualified individual shall review the proposed design for possible flaws in structural
design and fabrication.
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