Hi Jeff and PA Colleagues,

As a former public art collection manager and current art consultant, I have worked for several cities with military partners, including Norfolk, San Diego and Houston. The armed forces and veterans groups are generous community members, but rarely commission art for the long term. Youth artwork is rarely done with acid free paper, 316 stainless or high fired clay, standard for permanent interior display.

I strongly recommend municipal clients never accept a donation without 1) proof of ownership and authorship; 2) physical condition reports; 3) funding for artwork/collection maintenance for a minimum of five years and 4) a release allowing the municipality to rehang, remove and/or deaccession after a specified period (one to ten years).

If you decide to move forward with the display, hire a consultant to create a digital and/or print catalog which will provide context including background on the artworks, the communities' perspectives, and the generative issue/event (in this order).

Good luck,

Helen Lessick

HelenLessick.net

On 27 April 2018 at 17:02, Jeff <jdacosta@artsfoundtucson.org> wrote:

Hello all,

I have a situation where there is an existing collection of military themed artwork created by youth sponsored by a local veterans organization from the 1980s in a city owned building. There is current interest by a community member in updating the exhibit to include themes surrounding the armistice. What thoughts does anyone have on the following:

A retroactive process for accepting interior artwork in to a formal city collection.
Negotiating sensitive subject matter and content in the public realm.

Suggestions welcome!

Jeff

JEFF DACOSTA | MANAGER OF PUBLIC ART

33 SOUTH 5TH AVENUE | TUCSON AZ 85701

(520) 342-9558 | JDACOSTA@ARTSFOUNDTUCSON.ORG

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