Arts and Culture Commission Meeting Date: May 12, 2025
To: Commission Members
From: Natalie Draper, Director of Library Services
Title
Discussion of Potential Changes to Percent for the Arts Ordinance.
Body
Action Requested:
The Arts and Culture Commission discusses potential changes to the 1% for the Arts program.
Summary Report:
At the request of City Council, staff will present on the Percent for the Arts program and engage in a discussion about potential changes to how much is contributed to the fund. Staff would like to get input on the potential changes from the Arts and Culture Commission before the Council discussion takes place.
One of the key goals laid out in the 2019-2024 Cultural Plan, adopted by City Council in 2019, was to establish a percent for the arts ordinance, which was ultimately adopted by City Council in 2021. The city had been participating in the program voluntarily since 2017, setting aside 1% of all major capital improvement projects into a fund designated for public art. Northfield’s adoption of a 1% for the arts ordinance shows that we recognize the valuable role art plays in shaping a city's identity, enhancing its appeal, and enriching the lives of its residents and visitors.
Northfield is a city known for its rich arts and cultural experiences, and as a place where artists can live and thrive. Public art is one aspect of a local arts ecosystem that can make a significant impact on the perception of a community. Public art enriches public spaces, expresses community values, promotes civic engagement, and enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors by making art accessible and integrated into daily experiences. It also has a significant impact on economic development.
Public Art can:
• Attract tourists and visitors: Public art has the power to draw people in and make them want to explore a city. This can result in increased tourism and economic growth. Detroit Lakes, Minnesota recently added an installation of large-scale troll sculptures by Danish artist Thomas Dambo that have attracted thousands of tourists in the short time that they have had them, generating millions in revenue at local businesses. The Farm/Art DTour in Sauk County, Wisconsin generated tourism in the area with an estimated 4,200 visitors-over 65% of whom traveled over 50 miles to see the installations which helped to increase the revenue of many local businesses; some of whom saw revenue increases as much as 300%.
• Attract businesses and residents: According to a recent survey by Americans for the Arts, half of people with college degrees (49 percent) and a majority of Millennials (52 percent) and Gen Xers (54 percent) say they would strongly consider whether a community is rich in the arts when deciding where to locate for a job.
• Encourage dialogue and interaction: Public art often sparks conversations and allows people to connect in unique ways. It can serve as a catalyst for meaningful discussions about relevant social issues. 73 percent of Americans agree that the arts “helps me understand other cultures better.”
• Encourage social cohesion and mental health: Public art supports communities by providing social cohesion and encouraging civic engagement. Public art has been shown to have clear public health impacts including decreased stress, eliciting awe, developing shared identity, reinforcing self-efficacy, and promoting positive health behaviors. Public art is also noted as slowing pedestrians down to enjoy their space and providing a positive impact on mood.
• Supporting local artists and local economy: Commissioning public art provides a platform for local artists to showcase their talents and contribute to the community’s cultural landscape. In Nashville, projects over $150,000 are estimated to distribute two-thirds to three-quarters of the budget back into the local economy via fabricators, installers, art handlers, electricians, landscape architects, concrete companies, and other locally-based businesses. Survey data from “Why Public Art Matters (2018)” by Americans for the Arts.
The following table shows the past 4 years of Percent for the Arts funding:
The following table shows the anticipated contributions to the arts fund over the next 5 years, assuming no changes:
Options for discussion:
• No change
• Impose overall cap on annual contribution to fund
o Could any “cap” be increased at council discretion?
• Reduce contribution to 0.5%; impose a cap on individual project contributions/annual contribution
• Increase contribution to 2%, impose a cap on individual project contributions/annual contribution
• Raise the threshold for the 1% contribution from $175,000 to $500,000
o Currently funds are attached to any project over 175,000, or the dollar amount which requires projects go out for bids. This floor could be raised to account for the effect of inflation on smaller projects contributing to the fund.
Attached supporting documents:
• Five years of Percent for the Arts annual reports
• 2019-2024 Cultural Plan
• Presentation
Alternative Options:
N/A
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines:
N/A