Recommendation
Based on the recommendation of the Artist Nomination Committee and the Cultural Arts Commission, staff recommends that the Mayor and Council approve the award to Bonnie Fitzgerald of Vienna, Virginia and Ali Mirsky of Ashton, Maryland in the amount of $75,000 for their mosaic sculpture and wall treatment

Discussion
In February 2009, a call for entries was distributed to local, regional and national artists for this public art project. Twenty-nine artists submitted digital images and biographical information for consideration by the Artist Nomination Committee in June 2009. On June 15, 2009, the Artist Nomination Committee selected four finalists to create site-specific art proposals. The Artist Nomination Committee consisted of George Northway, Shari Bergel and Teresa Harn, Cultural Arts Commissioners; Kate Savage, Recreation and Park Advisory Board Chairperson; Sarah Medearis, Planning Commission Chairperson, Adria Borakove, Sesquicentennial Committee representative; and June Linowitz, an art expert.

The finalists presented their site-specific art proposals to the Artist Nomination Committee on September 17, 2009. The Artist Nomination Committee unanimously recommended that Bonnie Fitzgerald and Ali Mirsky be awarded the $75,000 art commission for their mosaic sculpture and wall treatment. The Cultural Arts Commission reviewed the finalists' art proposals and unanimously concurred with the Artist Nomination Committee's recommendation at their November 4, 2009 meeting.

The art proposals have been on display on the third floor of Rockville City Hall since December 16, 2009.

Mayor and Council History
The Mayor and Council approved the appropriation of funds and implementation of the project as part of the FY 2010 operating budget.

Public Notification and Engagement
The Artist Nomination Committee includes members of the Cultural Arts Commission, Recreation and Park Advisory Board, Planning Commission and Sesquicentennial Committee. The call for entries was posted on the City's website.

Boards and Commissions Review
The Cultural Arts Commission has been involved throughout the selection process.

Fiscal Impact
The budget for the Arts and Innovation Center Art Project is $75,000. The art project will be funded from the Art in Public Architecture program (AIPA)* (350-900-7601-0323) in the amount of $38,984 and the Art in Public Places project (350-900-7701-0323) in the amount of $36,016. The current fund balance for the Art in Public Architecture project is $187,034 (prior to this award). The current fund balance for the Art in Public Places Program** is $565,179 (prior to this award).

*The purpose of the Art in Public Architecture ordinance is to promote the quality of life for the residents by requiring the incorporation of works of art in public architecture. The ordinance requires that an amount equal to one percent of the City's costs for capital projects involving the construction of, or major improvements to, buildings, parks and other public structure be reserved for the procurement and installation of permanent artwork. Expenditures from this fund are restricted to the AIPA program.

**Expenditures in the Art in Public Places program are spent under essentially the same policies as the Incorporation of Works of Art in Public Architecture program.

Next Steps
Upon approval of this recommendation, contract negotiations will begin between the City and Bonnie Fitzgerald and Ali Mirsky.

Department Head:



Burt Hall, Director of Recreation and Parks
Approved on: 12/22/2009

City Manager:

Scott Ullery, City Manager
Approved on: 01/04/2010