CHAPTER 8
RENTON MUNICIPAL ARTS COMMISSION1
SECTION:
2-8-1: Creation Of The Renton Municipal Arts Commission
2-8-5: Arts And Culture Master Plan
2-8-1 CREATION OF THE RENTON MUNICIPAL ARTS COMMISSION:
There is hereby created the Renton Municipal Arts Commission (“Commission”). (Ord. 5155, 9-26-05; Ord. 5838, 6-12-17)
2-8-2 PURPOSE:
A. The City of Renton recognizes and acknowledges the importance of and benefit to the public in providing visual art and performance in its public works and facilities and in the community as a whole. The City encourages and promotes such art and the work of artists, particularly as this work may reflect the diverse cultures inherent in Renton. It shall therefore be the policy of the City, unless otherwise prohibited or limited by law, to direct and further the inclusion of art in its public projects.
B. In addition, the City encourages and supports the inclusion of art, especially as it may be accessible to the public, in private development projects.
C. The term “art” shall be liberally construed and includes the conscious production or arrangement of sounds, colors, forms, movements or other elements in a manner that affects the sense of beauty and is of aesthetic value. (Ord. 5155, 9-26-05; Ord. 5365, 3-24-08; Ord. 5838, 6-12-17)
2-8-3 MEMBERS:
A. The Renton Municipal Arts Commission (“Commission”) shall consist of thirteen (13) members appointed by the Mayor or designee and subject to confirmation by a majority of the members of the City Council. Of those thirteen (13) members, at least four (4) members shall be residents of the City, and at least one (1) member shall be between 15 and 21 years of age.
B. Membership on the Commission shall, whenever possible, include members from a variety of art fields and related professions. The Commission shall elect a chair, vice-chair, and secretary on an annual basis.
C. Each Commissioner appointed to serve on the Commission shall be entitled to serve a three (3) year term. No fewer than three (3) of the terms shall expire each year. Members of the Commission may be removed at any time for any reason by the appointing authority. Vacancies for the remainder of unexpired terms shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
D. All members of the Commission shall serve without compensation for such service. (Ord. 5155, 9-26-05; Ord. 5684, 3-25-13; Ord. 5838, 6-12-17. Formerly 2-8-4, 2-8-5, 2-8-6)
2-8-4 FUNCTION:
A. In addition to the requirements imposed by this Chapter, the Commission shall adhere to the bylaws of the Renton Municipal Arts Commission, as approved by the City Council and adopted by the Commission, a copy of which shall be filed with the City Clerk.
B. The Commission shall advise the Mayor or designee and City Council on matters relating to the artistic and cultural development of the City, particularly as they may implement the City of Renton Art and Culture Plan and the One Percent for Art Program. The Commission shall also act as the conservator and curator of the City Art Collection.
C. The Commission shall be responsible for reviewing the design, execution, and acceptance of works of art funded or otherwise offered to or acquired by the City. The Commission shall be responsible for disbursing money budgeted to it for cultural arts performances and other events, arts-related programs and activities, and support of artists and arts and cultural organizations, as resources allow. Any such funded performance must be held in Renton, primarily benefit Renton residents and, to the greatest extent possible, be offered free of charge or at reduced rates.
D. The Commission shall seek, whenever appropriate, alternative sources of funding for furthering visual, performing, and cultural arts in Renton. (Ord. 5155, 9-26-05; Ord. 5365, 3-24-08; Ord. 5684, 3-25-13; Ord. 5838, 6-12-17. Formerly 2-8-3)
2-8-5 ARTS AND CULTURE MASTER PLAN:
A. The Commission shall implement and periodically update the Arts and Culture Master Plan. The Commission shall consult with the Mayor or designee, elected and appointed officials, staff of various City departments, and other stakeholders during any update of the Plan to ensure inclusion of the City’s vision and goals as they relate to arts and culture in the Plan.
B. The Commission’s implementation of the Arts and Culture Master Plan shall be subject to oversight by the Mayor or designee and City Council. (Ord. 5838, 6-12-17)
2-8-6 CITY ART COLLECTION:
A. The Commission shall serve as steward of the City Art Collection (“Collection”). The Community and Economic Development Department may manage the Collection by maintaining an inventory of works. (Ord. 5962, 2-24-20)
B. The Commission shall have authority to rotate, re-site, and display works from the Collection at its discretion, subject to the requirements of this chapter. Meaningful access by the public, security of the Collection, and appropriateness of the location shall be primary considerations of the Commission. Works from the Collection shall not be located in private offices or other locations not accessible to the public.
C. Items in the Collection may be loaned to nonprofit or public cultural organizations or agencies for exhibition purposes when the exhibition will share the work with new audiences, promote scholarship, or offer new consideration of the work or art or artist. Loans shall not be made for commercial purposes. The Commission shall consider each loan request and prepare a recommendation to the City Council. No loan shall be made unless the City Council has approved the loan request.
D. The Commission shall, in coordination with the appropriate departments, maintain a conservation policy from which it shall prepare specifications for a maintenance plan for the Collection. Funds deposited into the Municipal Art Fund established in RMC 2-8-6.B shall not be used for maintenance of the Collection. Artwork maintenance and restoration of the Collection shall be performed and prioritized with other City maintenance projects by the appropriate departments, including when maintenance or restoration is contracted out to a third party.
E. For purposes of this Section, the “appropriate department” is determined by the location of the art. For art located in City-owned parks, trails and natural areas, and City buildings, Parks and Recreation shall be the appropriate department. For art located in rights-of-way, Public Works shall be the appropriate department. For art located on private property, CED shall be the appropriate department.
F. The purpose of the Commission is to serve as steward of and advisor regarding the Collection; however, the City Council makes all final decisions regarding funds expended on acquisitions to the Collection. Works of art under consideration to be added to the Collection, whether by purchase, creation, gift, or other means of acquisition, shall be evaluated by the Commission as to appropriateness prior to acceptance. Such consideration shall be guided by acquisition policies as delineated in the Commission bylaws. If the Commission determines that acquisition is appropriate, it shall prepare a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council shall have the only authority to approve or reject the recommended acquisition.
G. The Commission may occasionally find it necessary to deaccession work or works from the Collection, which finding shall be made in accordance with Deaccession Policies in the Commission’s bylaws. When the Commission makes a finding that deaccession is appropriate, it shall prepare a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council shall have the only authority to approve or reject the recommended deaccession according to City surplusing policies and processes. (Ord. 5838, 6-12-17; Ord. 5948, 11-18-19. Formerly 2-8-6)
2-8-7 FUNDING FOR THE ARTS:
A. Policy: The City finds that the public experience is enhanced through the visual arts. Such works of art create a more visually pleasing and humane environment and add to the overall beautification and cultural climate of the City and the quality of life of its residents. A policy is therefore established that anticipates City funding for works of art in places publicly viewable in the City. Works of art acquired with these funds will become part of the City Art Collection.
B. Municipal Art Fund: There is hereby created and established a special purpose interest-bearing fund designated the “Municipal Art Fund” into which shall be deposited moneys as the City Council shall designate for works of art. Moneys so budgeted and deposited shall be expended for:
1. The selection, acquisition, and/or display of works of art in the City Art Collection as approved by the City Council. Such works of art shall be placed and retained in locations where they are readily accessible for public viewing.
2. Operational and incidental expenditures for the Commission.
3. Grants awarded to local artists and community events to support local arts. (Ord. 5948, 11-18-19)
Prior legislation: Ords. 2969, 10-6-75; 3563, 7-27-81; 3678, 11-15-82; 3749, 9-26-83; 4380, 12-7-92 and 4838, 5-8-2000.