[Res. No. 2021-R-23, passed 4-13-2021]
(A)
The City of Watertown has established a Public Arts Master Plan that was created through the efforts of a steering committee that included a number of representatives of stakeholder organizations in the community that deal with arts and culture, as well as City departments and the City's consultant, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council.
(B)
Said Plan includes a number of implementation strategies, including Implementation Item 1A, a recommendation for the creation of an appointed Public Arts and Culture Committee (PACC) that acts as a permanent, standing advisory body to the City of Watertown, to make recommendations over two core program areas:
(1)
Art in public places: permanent, semi-permanent, temporary, and ephemeral artworks and activations that create a vibrant, welcoming, inclusive, and connected public realm. This may include semi-permanent projects as well as temporary artworks and installations funded through a variety of funding sources.
(2)
Cultural and community life: programming that enhances the public realm, engages Watertown's community life and cultural diversity, and fosters social cohesion.
(C)
The Plan further provides that the PACC be staffed by staff members from the Department of Planning and Community Development.
(D)
The PACC will make final recommendations regarding various forms of public art and culture to the City Manager and City Council for final approval.
(E)
The PACC may convene working groups to attend to business such as evaluation, fundraising, and community partnerships and outreach as needed.