Recommendation
Based on the recommendations of the Artist Nomination Committee and the Cultural Arts Commission, staff recommends that the Mayor and Council approve the award to Cecilia Lueza and Rick Munne of St. Petersburg, Florida in the amount of $35,000 for their wall sculpture.

Discussion
In February 2009, a call for entries was distributed to local, regional and national artists for this public art project. Twenty-two artists submitted digital images and biographical information for consideration by the Artist Nomination Committee in June 2009. On June 11, 2009, the Artist Nomination Committee selected three finalists to create site-specific art proposals. The Artist Nomination Committee consisted of John Moser, Rose Garvin-Aquilino, and Sezin Williams, Cultural Arts Commissioners; Debra Moser, former VisArts Executive Director; Neil Burka, Federal Reality Investment Trust representative; and June Linowitz, an art expert.

The finalists presented their site-specific art proposals to the Artist Nomination Committee on September 16, 2009. The Committee unanimously recommended that Cecilia Lueza and Rick Munne be awarded the $35,000 art commission for their urethane plastic and epoxy resin wall sculpture with a multicolor sound activated fiber optic system. The Cultural Arts Commission reviewed the finalists' proposals and unanimously concurred with the Artist Nomination Committee's recommendation at their November 4 meeting.

The art proposals have been on display in the main lobby of Rockville City Hall since December 16, 2009.

Mayor and Council History
The Mayor and Council approved funding and implementation of this project as part of the Art and Public Places program in the FY 2010 operating budget.

Public Notification and Engagement
The Artist Nomination Committee included members of the Cultural Arts Commission, a user group representative and a Rockville Town Square partner. The call for entries was posted on the City's website. The art proposals have been on display in the main lobby of Rockville City Hall since December 16, 2009.

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

Fiscal Impact
The budget for the Arts and Innovation Center Art Project is $35,000. The art project will be funded from the Art in Public Architecture (AIPA) program in the Operating Budget's Special Activities Fund. The purpose of the "Incorporation of Works of 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.

The fund balance for the Art in Public Architecture project is $187,034 (prior to this award). Expenditures from this fund are restricted to the AIPA program.

Next Steps
Upon approval of this recommendation, contract negotiations will begin between the City and Cecilia Lueza and Rick Munne.

Department Head:



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

City Manager:

Scott Ullery, City Manager
Approved on: 12/31/2009