35 replies to this topic

[Willy1]

I personally would like to see more public art in our "cowboys and culture" city... Here is a little run down that compares FW to other cities. Granted this is old - and you can tell since at the time FW had 460,000. But it gives you an idea of how FW stacks up against other cities....

*** City: Dallas Population: 1,036,309
Number of public art works: 160
Value: $17 million
How funded: Ordinance requires 0.50 to 0.75 percent of budget to go to arts.
Bond programs.
Private donations.


City: Cincinnati Population: 350,000
Number of public art works: 36 in downtown
Value: no estimate available
How funded: Private donations,
public/private partnerships.


City: Seattle Population: 516,290
Number of public art works: 250
Value: not available
How funded: One percent for art ordinance;
donations.


City: Fort Worth Population: 460,000
Number of public art works: estimated at 16 downtown and at the museums
Value: no estimate
How funded: Private donation,
corporations.


City: Loveland Population: 40,000
Number of public art works: 163 pieces
Value: $2 million
How funded: Annual sculpture show.
Ordinance sets aside 1 percent of new city projects for arts.
Private and corporate donation.


City: Austin Population: 501,637
Number of public art works: 30 sites
Value: $1.5 million
How funded: One percent of budget for new construction to public art;
private donations.

[safly]

Yes! Absolutely YES! I do not mind our city taxes subsidizing our efforts to help better serve our art endeavours of our future.

Keep Fort Worth Artsy!

[Biggins]

City:  Austin      Population:  501,637 
Number of public art works:  30 sites 
Value:  $1.5 million 
How funded: One percent of budget for new construction to public art;
private donations.

I believe that the city of Austin requires 2% of construction budgets dedicated solely for the purpose of public art. It is money well spent, considering that minimalist parking garages don't do much to enliven the urban fabric.

[Willy1]

I just wish we could get Calder's Eagle back where it belongs... FW!

[jenidallas]

I just wish we could get Calder's Eagle back where it belongs... FW!

If we wanted to start a campaign to petition for that, believe me that I would volunteer the time.

[redhead]

City passed an ordinance to require a percentage of each new project to be dedicated to public art---2% I think. Asked at one forum if landscaping was included as "public art" the mayor anwered in the affirmative. However, the arts people seem to feell differently.

[courtnie]

The more art the better... IMHO.... I think it brings something unique to each of our cities to have our residents show off their talents...

[Urbndwlr]

I just wish we could get Calder's Eagle back where it belongs... FW!

If we wanted to start a campaign to petition for that, believe me that I would volunteer the time.

I would contribute to an acquisition fund. This time, let's have an independent, arts organization own it rather than a corporate owner. Wouldn't that be a great piece to place somewhere in the park between the Kimbell and the Carter?

Or maybe another big Calder.

[courtnie]

yes it would be...i think someone should start an organization for art in fort worth..we could call it FWAO or AOFW or Art Fort Worth...what do ya think??

[Mel]

yes it would be...i think someone should start an organization for art in fort worth..we could call it  FWAO or AOFW or Art Fort Worth...what do ya think??

The city does have a 2% for art program, Fort Worth Public Art. The website, under construction, is www.fwpublicart.org. Questions or interest in the program can be directed to talkto@fwpublicart.org.

[courtnie]

Thank you for that info...

Welcome to the forum..

[cglendinning]

Anyone have any experience with how much of the % for art gets spent on art as opposed to the architects fee?

[Urbndwlr]

Anyone have any experience with how much of the % for art gets spent on art as opposed to the architects fee?

I don't know if the fee is set as a % or $ value. The artists or architects apparently do not make a ton of money on these commissions. Typically the public art pieces are quire capital and labor-intensive, and leave little "meat on the bones" remaining for the artist. I believe, however, that such commissions can provide nice opportunities for artists to achieve good exposure for their work, leading to future commissions. However, since their client is the city, neighborhoods, and the public in general, they face the unfortunate risk that their client(s) will reengineer their design and possibly compromise the quality of their piece.

I understand that there is an exhibit at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center (Old Modern Art Museum) that displays the various planned public art projects that are in the works now. I noticed a post card-sized flier in the Four Star Coffee Bar announcing it.

[renamerusk]

 

Related but tied into this project. I found this in the FW public master.plan This is only a recommendation but is listed just below illumination of the Will Rogers Tower which seems to be progressing. 

 

 

Downtown - Terminus of Main Street: Commission an artist to create a large sculptural work for the terminus of Main Street in front of the Convention Center expansion. Recommended budget $2.5 million ($.5M for phase one, design development and $2M for project implementation).

[BlueMound]

The artist, Doug Aitken, could take the words Fort Worth and create something very interesting.

https://www.thebroad...oug-aitken/west
https://www.flickr.c...lita/3000018000

[renamerusk]

What can you get for $2.5m? Can the City be expecting something in the vane of "Man With Briefcase"?

 

For something to be iconic, I think that the budget must be increased.

[Now in Denton]

I forget what the avenue of light cost on Lancaster was by Cliff Garten ? I think budget cost made them a bit shorter than was planned ? I think they are ok looking not as bright as I would like them to be. And I don't think they look good during the day. Too matte finish IMO. So I hope we get something nice and worth while on this project. And if budget cost keep chopping away a certain art project. Why even bother doing it ? 

[renamerusk]

I forget what the avenue of light cost on Lancaster was by Cliff Garten ? I think budget cost made them a bit shorter than was planned ? I think they are ok looking not as bright as I would like them to be. And I don't think they look good during the day.....

 

 I agree. The AOL have been far from being notable.  I feel the reason largely is where they are positioned.

 

Here is a suggestion.  Reposition the AOL to General Worth Square along Main Street and then along the two blocks of 10th Street fronting the Convention Center.  Just a guess, but repositioning them would probably be within the budget being commissioned for a new public art piece for the CC.

 

At GWS, the AOL would add and even bookend in a way the lights at Sundance Square and will gain more appreciation then they garner in the median of Lancaster Avenue.

[txbornviking]

Very excited to see this new pedestrian bridge come to be!

 

http://www.fwtx.com/...d-also-work-art

[John T Roberts]

It's nice to see the city putting some improvements in this part of town.

[Doohickie]

I heard about that bridge on Nextdoor.  Pretty neat.  My dog walks often include the Westcreek walkway.

[John T Roberts]

This is right in your "new" neighborhood.

[Doohickie]

Less than a half mile from my house.

[txbornviking]

How would folks in the neighborhood feel about a bike lane (either painted or dedicated) connecting the "new" paths along Westcreek, past Kellis Park, connecting with the trails at Foster Park?

[Doohickie]

Actually, at the north end of Westcreek, there are Sharrows going along Medina and South Ridge to Kellis Park, where the cyclist is supposed to take the path/sidewalk through the park to Wabash and Trail Lake, ride the sidewalk past the Phillips 66 station, under the rail bridge, to the RJ Gators parking lot.  There's a crosswalk there routing the cyclist into the south end of Foster Park (south of the duck pond).  The trail runs the length of Foster Park, past the duck pond, across South Drive and eventually connects to Overton Park East, crosses the creek, then goes off on the other side of the street into Overton Park.

 

As far as the city is concerned, that path already exists.

 

Myself, I take the bike lanes to the end of Westrcreek, then take the lane on Medina, South Ridge and Trail Lake, turn left on South and then if I'm lazy take the Foster Park trail or if I want the climb with the accompanying WEEEEE at the other end I follow South to Ranier which turns into Overton Park East.  It works fine, thanks.

[John T Roberts]

I agree with Doohickie.  As a cyclist, I have used both the bike lane/sidewalk/trail route and the city streets.

[renamerusk]

Decidedly undecided about this one.

 

Fort Worth Business Press - https://fortworthbus...near-southside/

[elpingüino]

Decidedly undecided about this one.
 
Fort Worth Business Press - https://fortworthbus...near-southside/

Images from Near Southside Inc.:


https://www.nearsout...-art-commission

[Doohickie]

I like it 

[renamerusk]

The artist revealed It is to replicate a cosmic journey; with a nod I assume to the psychodelic 60's. Something I readily  associated with Near South Fort Worth's acclaimed beatnik past. [joke]

 

"Groovy man!"

[Stadtplan]

Keep Fort Worth Groovy!

[Austin55]

Normally not a huge fan of murals (good architecture > bad architecture with a "cover-up") but for a utilitarian structure like this it's interesting. 

[renamerusk]

Power lines and poles; a nondescript building in the foreground; limited or no parking -  all legitimate impediments.  It may have a chance to develop an appreciation, but the location with so much sight litter does not really allow for a full engagement.  I may some day come to understand it and want to show positivity for it; but unfortunately, it is impossible to see it clearly or contemplatively.  I believe art good or bad must be able to be seen.

 

Certainly now , a trip down this stretch of Hemphill followed by a drive through the Lamar Street Connector will be psychoactive.

[John T Roberts]

I'm going to try to put a positive spin on this.  Yes, there are some visual impediments.  However, this is on a street facade, which helps.  Granted, Peter Smith Street is very narrow, but it is a public street.  There are a few power poles, but these are very high voltage lines connecting into the electrical substation, diagonally across Hemphill Street.  The poles and the substation will probably not go away.  The fortunate thing is that the power lines are above the height of the garage.  The lower level poles and cables appear to not carry power.  From what I can tell, those are phone, cable, internet, and other infrastructure.  This line could be easily buried compared to the major power lines above.  Personally, I think this mural has better visibility than some others.

[renamerusk]

I agree with any positive spin for at least it is an attempt.

[rriojas71]

I like it 

I agree... I am a fan of it and love that it's not just an exposed cement parking garage.  I think the way The Phoenix Apartments, which is nearby, handled their parking structure as well.