The municipality is looking to bring more public art to the city over the next decade, while helping to support local artists and community members in the process.
City politicians endorsed a new art in public places strategic plan, which is set to guide the city’s artistic direction from 2023 to 2033.
The plan, put together by consultant Cobalt Connects, comes on the heels of a $331,700 federal grant secured by the Orillia Museum of Art and History.
The grant also helped fund a new series of public art installations, the first of which was unveiled earlier this week.
After consultation with residents, youth, and local artists, as well as a city policy review and a comparison to similar municipalities, Cobalt Connects presented the strategic plan to council at its Monday meeting.
“We’ve identified 38 sites, both in downtown, West Ridge, waterfront, and a number of other (areas) where there are key opportunities for public art,” said Jeremy Freiburger, executive director at Cobalt Connects.
“Natural spaces, parks, trails, and the waterfront were brought up more in your public art process than in any other I’ve been a part of, so your public really sees an opportunity to bring art and culture into those spaces in a tasteful way.”
The plan aims to not only beautify public spaces in Orillia, but also drive economic growth through tourism and establish a thriving creative economy, city staff noted in a report.
Freiburger said a key component of the plan is ensuring adequate public engagement throughout the process.
“There needs to be multiple opportunities for members of your community to have their voice heard in the process … so that the likelihood of your community embracing and gravitating towards supporting public art is very strong,” he said.
Ensuring local artists and the local arts economy are given opportunities to grow is another cornerstone of the plan, he said.
“We held two sessions with local artists to better understand their skill sets, their interests … in the world of public art so that we could tailor a plan that would actually drive their careers and help local artists be the voice of vision in public art,” he said.
Potential ways of supporting local artists, noted in the plan, include hosting a local artist mural program, learning sessions geared toward drafting successful proposals and budgets, creating artist residency programs, and more.
The plan states years 1 to 3 will require an investment of roughly $37,500 to $65,000 per year, noting a variety of potential funding sources, such as the municipal accommodation tax, funding projects through the capital budget, and allocating a percentage of the construction budget to art, among other options.
The plan seeks to evenly distribute art at sites throughout Orillia that reflect the cultures, landscape, and history of the city, and it also includes plans to consult with the Chippewas of Rama First Nation to create art that explores truth and reconciliation.
Coun. Ralph Cipolla voiced his support for the plan but questioned whether any thought was given to preventing vandalism.
“My only concern is graffiti and damage to it,” he said. “I think Barrie experienced quite a bit of it with their art in public places.”
City staff responded the art it’s commissioning at this time is requested to be “anti-graffiti coated,” which ensures it can be cleaned and repaired.
