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CONTRACT K-1920-53: A CONTRACT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, AND VALERIE THEBERGE IN THE AMOUNT OF $40,000 FOR THE DESIGN, FABRICATION AND INSTALLATION OF PUBLIC ART IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE RUBY GRANT PARK PROJECT.
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BACKGROUND: The City of Norman and the Norman Arts Council (NAC) have partnered in projects to install art in public places within the City of Norman. Through this partnership, the NAC has purchased art pieces, and the City provides a location for the piece(s) within public spaces owned by the City of Norman.
With the adoption of Norman Forward, the City committed to expend an amount not to exceed 1% of the aggregate construction costs of major facilities and community parks improvements costs on public art at those facilities and parks. The City entered into a Services Agreement with NAC in April 2016 that appoints NAC as the administrator for the selection, location, and installation of public art purchased with Norman Forward sales tax funds. The NAC works cooperatively with the City to recommend appropriate works of art for selected facilities and sites paid for with Norman Forward funds.
The NAC administers the selection of public art through a competitive process that includes project announcement and advertising; Selection Panel review of submissions as a blind jury; development of a finalist short list; mandatory site visits for selected finalists; final proposal presentations; selection of artist; and contract negotiation and approval. Once an artist is chosen, the NAC, through the City Attorney’s Office, will negotiate a contract with the chosen artist. City Council then considers the contract for approval, and the artist shall complete the work of art according to the terms of his or her contract.
DISCUSSION: The NAC’s Selection Panel has selected a mosaic art piece (depicted in the attachment) for the Ruby Grant Park Project. Upon approval of this contract, the Artist, Valerie Theberge, will construct and install the work. The piece will be installed on the north side of the park near the planned Ruby Grant Memorial Pavilion no later than December 31, 2020. Ownership of the work will pass to the City upon final acceptance by the City. The Artist is providing a two-year warranty upon final acceptance. Payment is made in two parts - half ($20,000) upon execution of the contract, and half ($20,000) upon final acceptance of the work.
Fund are available in the Public Arts Projects (project NFP100, account 51795500-46101).
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of Contract K-1920-53.