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Art committee established to help ‘beautify’ N.B.

Sep 15, 2017 | 5:00 PM

A committee has been assembled to establish a vision for existing and future public art works within North Battleford for the next five years.

Council approved the proposal to establish the Public Art Advisory Committee at their meeting Monday night stating it will help “beautify the city.”

Leah Garven with the City of North Battleford said the committee will be responsible for overseeing public displays of art all over the city.

“Public art should respond to and be a reflection of our community as it becomes the visual culture of our neighbourhoods,” Garven said. “It should be relevant to our own story, what’s important to us, and what brings us joy. It instills civic pride.”

She added a community committee of people who have experience in public art and are interested in the city’s public spaces, should have input on the art chosen to be on display.

Garven felt the committee was also necessariy since the province passed the Public Art Policy in 2009 recognizing the arts sector as a professional industry.

“A public art policy also encourages future opportunities of our local artists to participate and to develop their artistic experience and express our story through public art,” Garven said. “Most cities across Canada have adopted public art policies to ensure that professional practices and management are maintained and to delineate responsibilities.”

The committee will not only be in charge of deciding what and where new permanent are like murals will go, but also where mobile exhibits will be placed in the city.

The committee has asked the city to consider funding it in their next budget, but will look for external sources as well.

 

 greg.higgins@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @realgreghiggins