Public Art Policy

Op11.06 Public Art Policy

The Public Art Committee sets standards and criteria for artwork donated to or commissioned by the university; nurtures the development and implementation of a percent for art program for the university; and recommends campus policy on the display of public artwork on university property.

For the purposes of this policy, artwork is defined as any art or artifact that is independent of the brand, legacy and history of the university. Artwork can be acquired in a number of ways: through loan, by gift, by commission, through bequest, purchase or any other method which would transfer ownership to the university. University students and employees are welcome to submit their artwork to the Public Art Committee for consideration.

The Public Art Committee will consider and recommend the most appropriate acquisition method for a particular piece of artwork. Prior to any acceptance of artwork by the university, all monies related to acquisition and installation costs will be identified and included in the Public Art Committee's recommendation. The Public Art Committee will make recommendations to the Vice President for Administration and Finance, who in turn will make recommendations to administrative council. The administrative council is the only body which can accept donations of artwork on behalf of the university.

The Public Art Committee will consist of:

Dean, Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (Chair)

Head, Department of Art and Design

Dean, Library

Vice President, Marketing and Communications

Faculty Member, Department of Art and Design (appointed by Chair)

Faculty Member, Department of Art and Design (appointed by Chair)

Student Government Association member (appointed by President of SGA)

University Architect and Director of Planning, Design & Construction

Director, Springfield Art Museum

Criteria for acceptance and acquisition of public art

The following are the criteria for the acceptance and acquisition of public artwork at the university, whether on a permanent basis or for temporary load.

  1. Only artwork intended for retention and maintenance into the long-range future of the university should be accessioned permanently on behalf of the university. For artwork recommended for permanent accession, the Public Art Committee will recommend an appropriate place on campus for the location of the proposed artwork.
  2. The work should be of high quality and be able to be presented to its best possible advantage as determined by the Public Art Committee in conjunction with appropriate stakeholders.
  3. The artwork should be of a durable quality for sufficient on-campus exhibition.
  4. The university must be able to provide the artwork with the proper care and maintenance (while it is on display or in storage). The university must have the resources to maintain the artwork properly and, if necessary, to store the work.
  5. The artwork should be a useful teaching tool in support of the educational objectives of the university.
  6. The artwork should serve as an object that positively augments the university community, campus environment and serves the public affairs mission of the university.
  7. The artwork must come to the university with clear documentation of current ownership and provenance, and any restrictions as to displaying the artwork must be known and agreed to by the university before acquiring the artwork for any duration.
  8. The artwork must come to the university with no restrictions as to ownership unless a prior written agreement has been entered into by the university and the prospective donor.
  9. The ownership of the artwork prior to acquisition by the university must be consistent with the UNESCO Convention regarding the illicit import, export, and transfer of ownership of cultural property and complies with the most recent regulations regarding human remains and ceremonial objects of Native Peoples.