HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-12-017 - 2011 Artist-In-Residence Commission Agreement1
Staff Re,~ort
KIT(;x~l\`~.R tammunity Services Department www.kitthenerca
REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: January 30, 2012
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs and
Services 741-2687
PREPARED BY: Cheryl York, Arts/Culture Co-ordinator 741-3400 Ext 3381
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: January 13, 2012
REPORT NO.: CSD-12-017
SUBJECT: Commission Agreement, 2011 Artist-in-Residence Sean
Puckett
RECOMMENDATION:
That the commissioning and installation of art work by the City's 2011 Artist-in-
residence, Sean Puckett, be approved; and further,
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the Artist-in-Residence 2011
Commission Agreement with Sean Puckett in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor,
such agreement encompassing the terms set out in Report CSD-12-017.
BACKGROUND:
Since 1995, the artist-in-residence has customarily developed a proposal for a commissioned
art work to be added to the City's "Artist-in-Residence Collection" (See
http://www.ktchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/Artist in Residence Program.asp).
These art works are installed in the public areas of city hall and in various city-owned facilities
such as Centre in the Square and community centres. The works reflect the creative work done
by the artist during his or her term of appointment. The majority are two-dimensional works of
painting, photography or prints. There are a few sculptural works as well. The commissions are
$5,000 each, funded from the Public Arts Trust Fund established by the Lions Club of Kitchener.
They are permanent assets of the City of Kitchener.
As part of the annual program, the appointee serves for a year as a member of the Public Art
Working Group (PAWL). Each year, the artist submits the commission proposal to PAWL for
review.
Sean Puckett was appointed by Council to be the 2011 Artist-in-residence (Report CSD-09-
062). His year-long program was titled "Portrait of Kitchener".
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REPORT:
For his "Portrait of Kitchener" program, the artist attended many festivals and events throughout
the year, setting up a photography studio where he invited the public to sit for their portraits. His
goal was to have 1,000 portraits by the end of 2011. He achieved his goal and tabulated the
final number of portraits at 1,050. The collection of photographs is a record of Kitchener's many
faces: old and young, poor and affluent, of all ethnic backgrounds and personality dispositions.
Mr. Puckett proposes that the photos be accessible to the public at city hall starting in 2012 for
Kitchener's 100 year celebration of cityhood. The photos would be mounted in a large album
with metal framed pages and mounted on a wooden book podium with lighting. All components
would be custom-made. The photos are also available for viewing on the Internet at
http://portraitofkitchener.tumblr.com/. This website will be maintained for at least five years.
The Public Art Working Group supported the acquisition of this commissioned work at its
meeting held December 12, 2011. PAWG's motion was forwarded to the Arts and Culture
Advisory Committee (ACAC) for further support which it received on December 20, 2011:
"That 2011 Artist in Residence Sean M Puckett's commission proposal for a publicly accessible
photo album of 1,050 photos that comprise his "Portrait of Kitchener" project be accepted."
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The artist-in-residence program and the work of its appointees support the Quality of Life and
Community Engagement strategies.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The commission fee is $5,000, funded by the Public Arts Trust Fund.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
The Artist-in-Residence program requires successful candidates for the appointments to offer a
program with an outreach component. This is often achieved with free public lectures and work
shops. In 2011, Mr Puckett conducted a series of work shops and three exhibitions of work-in-
progress. His unique travelling portrait studio enabled direct engagement with citizens at various
festivals and events throughout the year.
PAWL and ACAC provide oversight of the Artist-in-Residence program.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Deputy CAO, Community and Infrastructure Services
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