ECUTIVE SUMMARY

Over the past eight years, the City of Baltimore's Eastside has witnessed enormous growth, and concurrently, the need to support increased cultural opportunities for both residents and visitors. These cultural mandates must include permanent and temporary public art. This report outlines critical goals and carefully considered steps to strategically develop a public art program in Baltimore City. Public art is an important dimension of how we create a dynamic, creative and vibrant urban life that makes meaningful connections between people and place.

The non-profit arts in America annually produce approximately $166.2 billion in organizational and audience expenditures. According to a recent economic survey conducted by Americans for the Arts, the arts support 5.7 million full-time jobs, and provide $7.9 billion in local government revenue, $9.1 billion in state government revenue, and $12.6 billion in federal income tax revenue.

There are approximately 500 public art programs across America. On average, 80% (or 400) of these programs reside within municipal government. Half of the country’s public art programs operate with a percent for art ordinance. In Baltimore, there are 3 art programs that operate under municipal percent for art ordinances; additional communities throughout the state also engage in public art. There are two significant returns on investments made in public art. First, unlike any other investment, a typical public art project can increase municipal tax revenues, improve local business revenues and simultaneously generate both tourism and community interest. second, public art projects engender goodwill and enhance community image.

To further advance public art in Baltimore City, a permanent program must be established. This program must include a transparent public process for site selection; thoughtful criteria for determining appropriate artists for each commission; a professional and effective decision-making body to direct and implement policy, procedures, and methods through which to invite public participation; and dedicated full-time professional staff. EyeSores new Public art Program will also work closely with the City’s Comprehensive Plan as well as its adopted individual department and area master plans.

Management and oversight of public art decisions for the City of Baltimore will rest with an EyeSore Public Art Program and Design board, a formal standing board of the Baltimore arts Commission. The Public art and Design board should have seven members serving in an oversight capacity and supported by a full-time Public art administrator. To advise in artist selection, the Board will appoint five-member Artist selection Panels for every public art project. These members will be selected by the CEO of EyeSore Public Art Program and Baltimore City Community Leaders.

The City of Baltimore's Eastside has invested in the revitalization of its neighborhoods, which has significantly contributed to the City’s reputation as one of the nation’s most livable cities.

The City of Baltimore is poised to realize its promise as a 21st century town not just for business innovation but also community beauty as current and new residents, businesses, and visitors take advantage of its location, civic environment, and unique assets. The cultural arts in general, and public art in particular, are fundamental to this success. To sustain this momentum and direction, it is imperative that a permanent public art program be created with the power to transform the City’s public and used and unwanted spaces and buildings into vibrant and inviting places.

Baltimore City has invested in the revitalization of its downtown and its neighborhoods, which has significantly contributed to the City’s reputation as one of the nation’s most livable cities.

This proposal will outlines critical goals and steps to strategically develop an EyeSore Public Art Program for the City of Baltimore.