Public Art Committee Awaits Final Decision From Chancellor

The committee is awaiting Moeser's decision either to accept or reject its budget recommendations for an official public art program at the University.

"My understanding is no decisions have been made regarding this proposal," said Director of News Services Mike McFarland.

As the proposal states, the program would not serve merely as a tool for decoration. Its primary goal would be to enrich campus life.

Besides enlivening the atmosphere of the University, the program's other guiding principles would include supporting high standards for artistic excellence, allowing for a diverse mix of aesthetic styles, promoting a better sense of place on campus and improving the bond between the University and the town.

Don Luse, committee member and Student Union director said the committee is excited about the possibility of a program that can enhance the University's best qualities.

"I think it's very important," he said. "When you leave here, and you close your eyes and you think about the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, certain images pop in your mind -- and that's because of the distinctiveness of this place and the beauty of this place."

The proposal calls for the establishment of a program director and a standing public art advisory committee that would be appointed by the chancellor. Such a group would include representatives from both the faculty and the student body, as well as from the Ackland Art Museum and professional artists. The campus public art program director would have expertise in public art and would report to the vice chancellor for finance and administration.

The director and committee would select artists, approve artwork and sites for public display, control the acquisition of gifts, maintain artwork and oversee the de-accessioning, or withdrawal, of artwork. The planning committee also recommended a payment plan for the new positions.

Luse said that the committee's deliberations helped to open its members' eyes to ways in which they could search for grants and private individual gifts without having to delve into operating funds. Nevertheless, they are looking for a sizable contribution from UNC.

"If the University makes a financial commitment, then those funds can be used to leverage funds from government granting agencies such as the National Endowment for the Arts," said committee member and Arts Carolina Director Amy Brannock.

"So, in essence, this program could potentially bring funds into the University that would not otherwise be available to us."

The committee essentially has asked for a minimum budget of $15 million. In its proposal, it has recommended the identification of a capital program reserve or a pan-University assessment that would amount to $5 million. Private sources would be called upon to contribute $10 million. The Office of Development would have a hand in this fund-raising campaign.

A percentage of this $15 million would go toward paying recurring costs, such as salaries and office expenses. The rest of the money would be used to commission artists, acquire actual artwork and provide for the maintenance of completed public pieces.

There have been a number of public works commissioned since Silent Sam first graced McCorkle Place. Some of them came about as a result of the Art in State Buildings Program, which allocated half of the construction costs for new state buildings for art. The program ended in 1995 due to political conflict over culture. The idea for a new program has been brewing for years.

Brannock would not speculate on Moeser's upcoming decision, but she said that he has been supportive of creating a public art program at the University.

"He spoke to our planning committee in November and made a very strong statement to that effect," she said.

"I expect that we will have a formal response from him soon."

The Arts & Entertainment Editor can be reached at artsdesk@unc.edu.