HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-20-20 Public Comment - K. Helgeson - Percent for Art CommentFrom:Katy Helgeson
To:Agenda
Subject:Percent for Art Comment
Date:Tuesday, October 20, 2020 12:28:06 PM
Hello, my name is Katy Helgeson and I am president of Gallatin Art Crossing
(http://gallatinartcrossing.com/), the organization responsible for all of the public artdowntown, around the library and in the sculpture park. GAC has been working in the realm
of public art (accepting, installing, maintaining, etc) in Bozeman since 2009 so this sort ofthing is right up our alley. In case you are unfamiliar with GAC, here is a brief background
and explanation of what our organization does:
Gallatin Art Crossing was started in 2009 by Tate Chamberlin with the help of the DowntownBozeman Partnership and the Bozeman Public Library. Our mission is to place public art that
enhances the cultural experience for Bozeman area residents and visitors to the GallatinValley. G.A.C. merged with the Bozeman Sculpture Park in 2014 and now manages over 70
pieces of public art including a permanent collection of 13 sculptures. We post a nation-widecall for art every November to gather applications for new pieces to include in the program,
which are voted on by our board. Selected artists receive a stipend and have their workdisplayed for a minimum of one year with the option to keep or remove their piece each
August.
I was taken aback to learn that Mountain Time Arts has played a role in bringing this programto life but GAC was completely left out of the process. I think a percent for art is great idea
but the funds must be managed at the city level and not by a private organization! There is thepotential for quite a bit of money to be generated and having a non-biased committee
responsible for allocating those public funds is essential to making sure all public artsgroups/projects have an equal voice.
Please let me know if there is any way our organization can help get this program off the
ground and make it awesome! Thank you.
Katy HelgesonBelow 32 Design
406-451-6477