Arts and Culture Commission Meeting Date: July 14, 2025
To: Commission Members
From: Natalie Draper, Library Director
Title
Update on Art in Public Places Projects.
Body
Action Requested:
The ACC receives an update on current and planned Art in Public Places projects.
Summary Report:
• KCI Conservation did a beautiful job restoring Ray Jacobson’s fountain sculpture in Bridge Square. Conservation work is an allowable expense for percent funds and the fountain was in urgent need of more intensive conservation work than a routine cleaning so rather than wait for a future budget year, staff decided to move forward with the work this summer and save a treasured cultural asset.
• The call to artists for the downtown murals has been posted. You can view it here: northfieldartsguild.org/call-for-murals/
o This call to artists is the first opportunity we have had to work with an outside organization (Northfield Arts Guild) to manage a project.
The City of Northfield is seeking artists to design and paint murals this summer. Please read more about both projects via these applications:
Loon Liquor Mural (English <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1LNneiWw_O5nv5lkUkysJFfX0sTvSYF1s-SDGjktH1ak/preview?fbclid=IwY2xjawLY8YtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFaZ0NTMjFSc01DdzQ1ZWEwAR4Uf_xFToCRvvr8McjiP5QHlCsMuH_l6okSSp2PsnmtMK3NqLLJpZ6lQBLZ-w_aem_a8AgoUJ7h-Chq2BAQsWgWA>, Espanol) <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1XUpm6yzipKYUFp1xv3_WyLlGKB77d44V1xL_XxXeQc0/preview?fbclid=IwY2xjawLY8thleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFaZ0NTMjFSc01DdzQ1ZWEwAR4Uf_xFToCRvvr8McjiP5QHlCsMuH_l6okSSp2PsnmtMK3NqLLJpZ6lQBLZ-w_aem_a8AgoUJ7h-Chq2BAQsWgWA>
Cannon River Mural (English <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/17Ob8v1rHl16JLVs2Yljt5-1nKBguQ67SdW_XWsFxODU/preview?fbclid=IwY2xjawLY8lJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFaZ0NTMjFSc01DdzQ1ZWEwAR4nMjfLkNmsOATeaXSpSjAuu9wePr6Dgc6tMRQcxy2R6ne1R26i0KKA6yZrUg_aem_jQ4CkZhUDodNlk8xKqN55g>, Espanol <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1RIuhLnMe08ce41LNIfhL94Z0ZPANP8Tj9KI8yaR2jks/preview?fbclid=IwY2xjawLY8qVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFaZ0NTMjFSc01DdzQ1ZWEwAR4aAVnN6tMehtZcmu-58seAvZ5NP7KQMh52-1v_LCnYDycFh4Ro930f1k0gbA_aem_rUGv_dZvJwsYAgj9123QGQ>)
Anyone can apply!
The applications are due July 20, 2025, and the applicants will be notified by July 29th. The mural should be finished by early September 2025.
The total compensation is $20,000 (river location) $25,000 (Loon Liquor Co.) and should be used by the artist to cover equipment, travel, food, assistance.
For questions and more information, please email Rayvin@northfieldartsguild.org <mailto:Rayvin@northfieldartsguild.org> or Michael@northfieldartsguild.org <mailto:Michael@northfieldartsguild.org>.
• The PARC for the murals will meet on the 28th of July to review and select artists. ACC members who have volunteered on the PARC should confirm they are available at 5 pm on 7/28.
• We are working on the agreement with the Arts Guild to manage the call to artists for the Ice Arena installation next. The budget is set at $150,000 for a large mosaic installation in the arena.
• With plans for Bridge Square improvements scrapped, the Commission should discuss potential alternative locations if we are intent on moving forward with Marlena Myle’s and John Sterner’s joint concept for a large sculpture installation. The estimated budget is $200,000. Start date would be dependent on site availability, suitability, and availability of funds.
Alternative Options:
N/A
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines: