Full copies of the Public Art Master Plan are available from the Iowa West Foundation or at the Council Bluffs Public Library.
The decision to research and develop a Council Bluffs public art program became a reality when the Foundation engaged the professional services of Public Art & Practice, LLC, a public art consulting firm, to spearhead the effort in tandem with local civic leaders, who formed a group known as the Public Art Stakeholder Steering Committee.
The Steering Committee's charge was to guide the creation of a Public Art Master Plan for Council Bluffs by exploring elements that were common to successful public art programs from other cities and states across the country. Specifically, they were asked to create a vision statement, identify appropriate locations for public art, research and communicate how public art is selected, and contribute their insights toward the creation of a philosophical and procedural guide that would incorporate the unique cultural, historical and geographic characteristics of Council Bluffs. These individuals served as proxies for the community and their participation and guidance were invaluable to the creation of the Public Art Master Plan.
The intent of the Plan is to commission professional artists to become members of future design teams and/or create works of the imagination to complement existing urban structures and spaces. Artists are encouraged to create environments that embody the ideal of "placemaking": the places where residents and visitors alike can congregate en masse to celebrate community events; and places where individuals can enjoy quiet contemplation or families can interact in surroundings that are playful, entertaining, and at the same time, leisurely and relaxing.
The Steering Committee was thorough in discussing and debating priority locations for public works of art. To this end, they identified several locations including the following top five:
- Bayliss Park
- MidAmerica Center
- West Broadway Railroad Viaduct
- West Gateway (green space between Kanesville & Broadway)
- Missouri Riverfront Park
The members of the Committee deliberated the scale and type of art they collectively preferred for each location. Their choices in genre, or type, included, abstract sculpture, environmental art, functional art, representational art, structural and wall art. The choices in scale included small, life-size, large and monumental.
The process for selecting artists and artworks was a primary consideration of the Committee. The Committee decided on a system to select artists and acquire specific works of art. The Committee approved a Public Art Review and Selection Process that included the creation of specific "Artist Selection Panels." The Panels are usually comprised of 5 -7 people who are empowered to 1) determine the scope of the project 2) choose the method(s) for soliciting artists 3)review project criteria 4)adjudicate competitive proposals 5) make critical aesthetic judgments 6)recommend budgets and 7) advise on which artist(s) receive commissions.
