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Policy - Public Art - 20251028 100 John West Way Aurora, Ontario L4G 6J1 (905) 727-3123 aurora.ca Town of Aurora Policy Cultural Services Contact: Manager, Cultural Services Approval Authority: Aurora Town Council Effective: October 28, 2025 ______________________________________________________________________________________ Public Art Purpose As an expression of culture, public art can deepen connections between and within the neighbourhoods where people reside, work and visit. Aligned with the Town of Aurora’s Strategic Plan, and complemented by the Public Art Strategy, the Public Art Policy (P.A.P.) establishes transparent processes for the administration and implementation of public art projects within Aurora’s municipal boundaries that foster strong partnerships, embrace diverse perspectives, showcase artistic creativity, and prioritize accessibility. Scope The P.A.P. establishes transparent processes for: • Acquiring, installing, tracking, maintaining and conserving public artworks in Aurora • Delivering public art programming across the municipality The P.A.P. applies to the acquisition and management of public art by the Corporation of the Town of Aurora (the “Town”) for new municipal construction projects, public art donations, and public art funded by developers or commercial investments in line with the objectives of the Town’s Official Plan. Definitions Accession The procedure of acquiring and recording a public artwork as part of the Town’s public art collection. Acquisition The procuring of public art through commission, purchase, donation, gift, or bequest. Art Selection Panel 2 A group of people composed of art professionals and members of the community selected to serve as members of a jury to evaluate an artist for selection for an art opportunity. Artist-initiated Artwork When an artist proposes their own idea for a public art project or responds to a call for a public art project without a defined site and related parameters. An artist-initiated call could ask artists to respond to a specific topic of community interest or importance. Artist Mentorship When an emerging artist works with an established artist, on a project relevant to their area of work and interest, for which they are compensated for. Mentee artists should be selected by the established artist together with an art professional. The goal is to develop productive matches that help to develop emerging artists’ professional skills and experience. Artist Residency When an artist works closely with a host organisation, often over an extended period, to create artwork. Artists for a residency are typically selected through a credential call and / or interview selection process. Calls for Artists A document that describes a public art opportunity and invites professional artists or artist teams to apply for the project. There are three main types of public art calls: Requests for Qualifications (R.F.Q.), Requests for Proposals (R.F.P.), and Expressions of Interest (E.O.I.). Commemoration A work that is designed to honour a particular idea, individual or event. Community Art An artistic activity that involves community members and is based in a community setting. It is characterized by interaction or dialogue with the community and often involves a professional artist collaborating with people who may not otherwise engage in the arts. Copyright As defined by the Copyright Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42, and applies to original literary, and dramatic, musical, and artistic works that are in a fixed material form. De-accession The procedure of removing an object from its site and from the Town’s public art collection. 3 Digital Public Art Temporary or permanent art that uses digital technology as an essential part of the creation, process, and/or presentation. Equity-deserving (or Equity-seeking) Communities A group of people who, because of systemic discrimination, face barriers that prevent them from having the same access to the resources and opportunities that are available to other members of society, and that are necessary for them to attain just outcomes. Installation A three-dimensional work of art that are site specific and often intended to transform the public’s perception of a space. Integrated Public Art Public art which forms a physical part of a building, structure, or landscape. Land Art (or Earth Art) Art made directly within the landscape, usually using natural materials from the site. These works are often documented through photography. Local Artist An artist who lives or works in the Town of Aurora, or who can demonstrate a strong connection to the Town. Maintenance Plan A plan created by the artist which explains how an artwork accepted into the Town’s public art collection should be cleaned, maintained, and repaired during its lifetime. Mural Any piece of graphic artwork that is painted or applied directly to a wall, ceiling, or other permanent substrate where the primary purpose is to aesthetically enhance the general surroundings as well as the surface it covers. Professional Artist As defined by the Canada Council for the Arts, is “an artist who: has specialized training in the artistic field (not necessarily in academic institutions), is recognized as a professional by their peers (artists working in the same artistic tradition), is committed to devoting more time to artistic activity, if possible financially, and has a history of public presentation or publication.” Public Art Original works of any medium that meet all the following criteria: • Planned in alignment with the Town’s Public Art Vision and Values 4 • Informed through established processes that gain community feedback through a range of online and in-person engagement tools • An original work that is created by one or more professional artists, with priority given to artists with relevant knowledge of the Town, its diverse communities, and its histories • Planned and executed for the specific purpose of being placed and experienced in a public space • Must be relevant to the site or context in which it is placed and experienced by the public • Must be acquired using the Town’s established processes and community engagement channels Public Art Collection Includes works of public art belonging to the Town. The collection will not include unsanctioned public art or public art that does not align with the Town’s definition of public art. Public Art Strategy The Strategy approved by Council that establishes transparent processes for the administration and implementation of public art projects within Aurora’s municipal boundaries. Public Realm As defined by the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI), “is the publicly owned places and spaces that belong to and are accessible by everyone. These can include municipal streets, lanes, squares, plazas, sidewalks, trails, parks, open spaces, waterfronts, public transit systems, conservation areas, and civic buildings and institutions. It can be a passive environment, such as sitting at a café, or an active environment, such as cycling in a bike lane, or a combination of both. It can also be an interior space such as a library or a recreation centre, or an exterior space such as a multipurpose trail or a public square.” Public Realm Elements Artistic elements in the public realm, that may or may not also serve a functional purpose, that are not conceived or created by a professional artist. Stand-alone Public Art A work of public art that is not a physical part of a building, structure, or landscape. Street Art Art developed in public spaces that encompasses different media, techniques, and subject matter. Street art can include, but is not limited to, traditional graffiti, stencil 5 graffiti, sticker art, wheatpasting, video projection, art intervention, flash mobbing, street installations, poster art, L.E.D. art, mosaic tiling, yarn-bombing, and tactical urbanism. Social Practice Art Also referred to as socially engaged art, can include any art form led and conceived by a professional artist that involves people and communities in debate, collaboration, or social interaction. Temporary Public Art Public art which is created for a specific occasion, specific period, or event, and which is situated at a particular site on a temporary basis. Policy Funding • One percent of the capital budget for all major regional and local municipal buildings is to be dedicated to public art • The Town will maintain a Public Art Reserve Fund to receive financial contributions and in-kind gifts from both public and private groups • The fund is to be used to acquire public art in accordance with the Town’s definition of public art • The Public Art Reserve Fund may also be used to establish public art programming and undertake community engagement initiatives related to public art • The Town will also maintain an operating budget to fund the maintenance and conservation of public art Public Art Placement To highlight Aurora’s unique character, eight public art site categories have been identified, however staff retain the authority to determine the applicability, suitability, and ultimate placement of public art within any of the eight categories. The eight categories include: • Key Civic Sites • Gateways into Aurora’s municipal boundary • Heritage Properties, Districts and Areas • Parks and Trails • Major Private Developments • Transit Hubs and Corridors, including Local and Regional Corridors and the Aurora GO Major Transit Station Area as defined by the Town’s Official Plan • Streetscapes within Intensification Areas, such as the Aurora Promenade • Sport and Recreation Facilities and Community Service Facilities 6 Site Evaluation Criteria Public art sites will be recommended by the Cultural Services Division based on the following evaluation criteria: 1. Accessibility: is the site accessible by various modes of transportation within Aurora or does the site present any physical barriers that would prevent persons with disabilities from accessing it? 2. Visibility: is the site easily visible and is it in proximity to high pedestrian activity? 3. Relationship to proposed artwork: does the location possess unique architectural and / or natural features and will the addition of public art enhance the overall environment and public experience of this location? 4. Capacity: does the site possess the physical qualities and prominence that are conducive to hosting public art? Policy Administration The Cultural Services Division is responsible for the administration of the Town’s public art program. The Public Art Strategy (P.A.S.) approved by Council acts as a guideline for the implementation and administration of the P.A.P. by the Cultural Services Division. The practices, standards, administrative processes, objectives and key results of the P.A.P. will be developed in alignment with municipal best practice. Public Art Process The Cultural Services Division will submit an annual public art plan to Council that recommends public art projects, including public art sites, selection panel membership, and funding allocation. In preparing the annual public art plan, a collective approach that relies on the knowledge of key municipal divisions will be used to ensure the necessary expertise informs the entire public art process. Acquisition and Management Original works of public art shall be accessioned, deaccessioned, and managed according to the Town’s Policy – Museums Collection. Gifts of public art may be accepted if they were produced by a recognized professional artist, possess a high level of artistic and technical quality, as well as a connection to Aurora, and are deemed to be in acceptable condition with a sustainable maintenance plan. The Town, in its sole discretion, may decline donations or gifts of public art, regardless of whether the artwork meets the accession criteria. 7 A public art database will be maintained by the Cultural Services Division, which will serve as a centralized resource to document, catalog, and make information about local public artworks accessible. Public Art Ownership Upon final installation and commissioning of a public artwork, an ownership agreement between the Town and artist(s) will be prepared that defines who owns what rights to an artwork commissioned or acquired for public display. The Town is responsible for maintenance, insurance and upholding contractual obligations made with the artist(s) for any artwork that it owns. Insurance and Liability The artist(s) selected for each public art project must provide and maintain property insurance coverage, at their sole cost, throughout the design, fabrication, installation and commissioning period for the total replacement value of the public artwork that they have been contracted to produce. Upon the successful completion of the installation and commissioning period, the finished public artwork will be insured by the Town. Donors of public art shall be responsible for the donated artwork until such time as the Town formally accepts ownership of the artwork. Documentation All public artworks shall be inventoried, documented and added to the Town’s public art database. Maintenance and Conservation During the artwork acquisition process, maintenance and conservation requirements will be evaluated, including structural and surface soundness, risk of theft, vandalism and degradation, as well as potential ongoing maintenance and conservation costs. The artist is responsible for providing information regarding maintenance and conservation requirements for their public artwork. Maintenance and conservation efforts will be funded through the Town’s annual operating budget. Donations and Gifts Staff will review potential public art donations and gifts of artwork based on merit, condition, future conservation considerations, and other key factors, before determining its appropriateness for the Town’s public art collection. 8 Donations and gifts of artworks that meet the necessary criteria will be approved by Town staff, accepted into the public art collection, and added to the public art database. When possible, a financial contribution from the donor will be requested to support maintenance and conservation efforts. Charitable tax receipts may be issued by the Town when applicable and permitted by law. Selection Method Public art projects shall be recommended by an Art Selection Panel established by the Cultural Services Division for a given project. Panels shall serve on projects for which they are established or projects that assigned to it by the Cultural Services Division. The intent is to ensure artists are chosen based on merit through a process informed by expertise and community input. Artist proposals are solicited through an open competition, through invited submission, or through a curatorial process leading to direct commission. Even if a public art project is recommended by the panel, Council has final authority to determine applicability, suitability and placement of public art in any of the eight public art stie categories. Figure 1 - Typical Public Art Selection Process Council approval of annual public art plan Art Selection Panel recruitment Council approval of Selection Panel membership Call to Artists issued Proposals evaluated and successful artwork recommended by Selection Panel Council approval of selected artwork Artwork created and installed Final certification of the artwork by the Town Project completion 9 Art Selection Panel Composition Art selection panel size is dependent on the scope and complexity of the project that the panel is being selected for but will generally consist of five voting members as follows: • Two arts professionals (e.g., visual artists, curators, art educators) • One design professional (e.g., architects, urban designers) • Two community representatives from the Town of Aurora, reflecting the diversity of the neighbourhoods The panel may also include non-voting advisors, such as Town staff. Additional subject- matter experts and Town committees will be consulted as needed. Panelists will be selected through an application process managed by Town staff that assesses their experience, connection to public art and alignment with project goals. The terms of reference for selection panels are set at the project development stage by Cultural Services Division staff and may differ from project to project. Selection Criteria Artists and artist proposals are chosen by majority vote by the Art Selection Panel on the basis of: • Artist qualifications, including previous work experience of similar scope • Artistic merit • Capacity to deliver the project from design to installation • Responsiveness to the site and the neighbourhood within which is situated • Alignment with project terms of reference • Technical feasibility • Accessibility and safety The panel will also consider each proposal’s material durability, construction methods, accessibility, and maintenance requirements. Panel Remuneration Art Selection Panel members are paid an honorarium based on recommended minimum rates set by the Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC). Commissions The Town will consider launching pilot projects and utilizing short-term commissions to stimulate public discourse about a place and lay the groundwork for potentially longer- term public art projects. 10 Project Documentation and Registration Project documentation, including project maintenance and conservation details are registered in the public art database by Cultural Services Division staff. Responsibilities Aurora Town Council • Approve the P.A.S. and P.A.P. • Approve the annual public art plan and adopt the annual budget for the public art program • Receive, consider and approve public art-related recommendations presented by the Cultural Services Division Cultural Services Division • Implement and manage the P.A.P. and P.A.S. • Develop and implement operational procedures in the matter of public art selection, funding, tracking, maintenance and conservation • Recruit members of the Art Selection Panel for each public art project • Advise Council on the management of the public art program and collection • Report to Council on activities within the Public Art Reserve Fund • Supervise public art projects and oversee the status of the public art collection Manager, Cultural Services • Review and recommend updates to the policy as required Community Services Department This policy will be administered by the Cultural Services Division within the Community Services Department. As required, the Cultural Services Division will seek input from various other departments to provide feedback on certain matters related to public art. Cultural Services staff is responsible for the administration of the public art program and implementation of the P.A.S. and related policy. Staff will prepare annual workplans for Council approval with recommendations regarding potential opportunities for public art, including preferred site locations, public engagement strategies, selection panel membership, funding sources, and more. Monitoring and Maintenance C.A.O. / directors / managers / supervisors and employees should work collaboratively to resolve issues related to this policy. Any employee found to be disrespecting the terms of this policy other than under exceptional circumstances, emergencies or operational requirement is subject to an investigation and discipline deemed appropriate by their immediate supervisor, Human Resources, the Town Clerk and / or C.A.O. 11 This policy will be reviewed two years from its effective or revision date, in accordance with the Town of Aurora’s policy maintenance schedule. References • Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42) • Policy – Museums Collection • Town of Aurora Public Art Strategy • Town of Aurora Official Plan • Town of Aurora Strategic Plan