HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-14-022 - Public Art Conservation Planning Staff Report
1TcHENER CAM'S Office www.kitchener ca
REPORT TO: CISC
DATE OF MEETING: June 9, 2014
SUBMITTED BY: Rod Regier, Executive Director of Economic Development
(519) 741-2200 ext. 7506
PREPARED BY: Silvia Di Donato, Manager, Arts & Culture (519) 741-2200 x 7392
Emily Robson, Coordinator, Arts & Culture (519) 741-2200 x 7084
WARD (S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: May 26, 2014
REPORT NO.: CAO-14-022
SUBJECT: PUBLIC ART CONSERVATION PLANNING
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Public Art and Industrial Artifact Conservation Planning for restoration and ongoing
maintenance be approved.
BACKGROUND:
This report describes the conservation assessment priorities and cost estimate for a comprehensive
plan to restore and maintain the current public art and industrial artifacts collections. The need for a
systematic conservation plan was identified as a priority in 2013 and capital fund allocations were
identified in issue paper BD22 — Public Art Fund Balances. This report responds to Council's request on
January 30, 2014 to bring a report forward describing a plan for public art maintenance.
REPORT:
A plan for conservation and maintenance of the City of Kitchener's public art and industrial artifacts
collections is critical to the preservation of these valuable assets which can increase in value over time.
Without a plan for maintenance, artworks can deteriorate to a point where they reflect negatively on the
City's image, lead to the de-accessioning of the item or even pose a safety concern for the public. As
stated in the public art policy, I-816, The City of Kitchener will ensure "the public art collection is
documented and maintained to the highest standards." The industrial artifacts collection requires the
same duty of care.
The planning process has resulted in a very detailed work plan to guide staff with:
• Assessment of the collection by priority;
• Phased, priority restoration requirements; and
• Ongoing annual inspection and maintenance guidelines.
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Assessment Process
To develop a comprehensive plan for conservation, staff engaged the expert services of George
Prytulak, Conservator, Public Art & Industrial Collections, to undertake a technical review and report
starting in November 2013, consisting of a comprehensive on-site examination and photography of 30
works of public art (including two Artist In Residence works) and 22 industrial artifacts. Due to weather
conditions and inaccessibility, two items will be reviewed later in 2014 ("Sweet Pea" and
"Enlightenment.)
The fifty-two works were examined and photographed to diagnose any problems involving design,
materials and location. In addition, staff identified a number of immediate concerns about each work.
The result is a very detailed work plan for staff, included a summary of enhanced descriptions, an
extensive digital photographic library, material details, specialty skills if required, restoration process
and cost estimates. All documentation has been enhanced with an extensive photography to create a
base line index of the current condition of the collection.
Phased Priority Restoration and Cost Estimates
The restoration recommendations for many of the artworks and artifacts include a number of options
ranging from on-site, superficial paint touch-ups to thorough abrasive blasting (either on- or off-site)
followed by priming and painting. Less than thorough treatments could reduce the final cost of the
project but also may increase the risk recurring maintenance costs in the future. Each of the works
examined has been prioritized according to the urgency of need for recommended work in order to
prevent further deterioration and to avoid costly restorative work.
Where possible, city staff will endeavour to complete restoration and maintenance of the collection(s).
A detailed list of materials and recommended process will guide the conservation activities. Some of
the work plan will include contracted services depending on priority of repairs, available staff resources
and special skills required. Some of the collection will require a conservator or a conservation
technician because they involve the careful infilling and leveling of easily-damaged surfaces, etc.
The materials requiring physical intervention are predominantly metal (stainless steel, cast iron/steel,
bronze), glass, stone and concrete. Many of the materials required for the restoration and maintenance
work described in this report can be purchased in bulk and used in a substantial number of treatments.
Estimated costs for restoration labour and materials vary from $120 for a small repair to $15,000 for a
large installation such as "Horsepower" outside of City Hall.
The program will be implemented in stages, beginning with the most urgent repairs, with a view to
maximize cost efficiencies. Staff will use this plan to guide decisions for contract services, in house
resource availability and priority work schedules. If all priority restoration (high, medium, low) is phased
over the 2014-2015, the entire collection restoration (Public art and Industrial Artifacts) is estimated at
approximately $77,000, available as part of the Public Art Consolidated Fund. The collection will then
be restored to a point where ongoing inspections and maintenance can be scheduled.
Ongoing Maintenance and Cost Estimates
After completing initial restoration (Public Art and Industrial Artifacts,) ongoing inspections and
maintenance can be scheduled, estimated at current levels of approximately $26,000 per year for
Public Art and Industrial Artifacts. It is expected that this level of investment will ensure a well
preserved collection that maintains its value over time, allows for careful budgeting of future acquisition
and continues to add cultural vitality to the community.
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ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The public art conservation plan supports the "Quality of Life" community priority in that the city
establish greater public appreciation and understanding of our cultural heritage resources; and
highlights arts and culture as a factor critical to the health of the community. As a significant driver for
"Development" priorities in the city, a well-maintained public art collection provides a sense of place for
"creative people living in creative communities," linked to "community pride and economic opportunity,"
as stated in the Kitchener Strategic Plan.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Funding for the restoration and first year of maintenance will be provided by the Consolidated Public Art
capital account (as noted in the 2014 budget issue paper, BD22 — Public Art Fund Balances) and the
Industrial Artifacts capital account. Ongoing maintenance requirements of $26,000 per year will be
funded from Public Art Maintenance, which receives approximately $15,000 per year in capital funding,
and Industrial Artifacts, which receives approximately $13,000 per year in capital funding.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
The Public Art Working Group (PAWL) motion for the restoration and maintenance of the City's public
art and industrial artifacts collections was considered and supported by Arts and Culture Advisory
Committee on May 20, 2014. PAWG will review progress as the work plan continues.
CONCLUSION:
The Public Art and Industrial Artifact Conservation planning should be implemented in a phased cost
effective approach based on priority of condition assessment. Once completed, this plan will be used
for staff to monitor and maintain on an ongoing basis.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, CAO
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