Arts and Culture Commission Meeting Date: November 10, 2025
To: Commission Members
From: Natalie Draper, Library Director
Michael Johnson, Arts Guild Director
Title
Update on Art in Public Places Program.
Body
Action Requested:
The ACC receives an update on the Art in Public Places Program.
Summary Report:
Related to budget discussions which took place over the summer and fall, council made the decision to streamline boards and commissions, which included eliminating the ACC and PRAB. Staff revised the Art in Public Places policy to reflect the change and to provide an alternative pathway via a formal partnership with the Northfield Arts Guild. In 2024, staff worked with the Guild on a case-by-case basis to manage public art projects beyond staff capacity, and, given the success of that trial, are confident proceeding with a year-to-year agreement to designate the Arts Guild a Local Arts Agency (LAA).
Summary of 2024 projects:
• The Arts Guild issued a call to artists and coordinated with artists, city staff, and the public art review committee to complete two new large-scale murals downtown: one on the new Loon Liquors building and one under the pedestrian bridge behind the Arts Guild building.
• The Arts Guild issued a call to artists and coordinated with staff and the public art review committee to select an artist to design, fabricate and install an approximately 1200 sq foot mosaic mural in the new ice arena. The arena is currently under construction with installation anticipated in the summer.
• Detailed summary by Director Johnson and photos of completed murals attached.
Images are attached.
Alternative Options:
N/A
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines: