HomeMy WebLinkAboutWaterloo Center for the Arts-Grant Proposal-06.23.2008 AA
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June 2, 2008
Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area
209 W 5th St
Waterloo, IA 50701
Dear Grant Review Committee:
Please let this letter serve as a cover letter to the enclosed grant proposal as well as a
letter to document match funding for this project.
As explained in the grant proposal,the project is a continuation and expansion on the
"Outside Museum Without Walls"project that Silos and Smokestacks funded in 2002.
To create a memorable and welcoming visitor experience in downtown Waterloo, eight
large-scale public art banners will be recreated and installed in the Washington Street
corridor between West 5th Street &West Park Avenue. This project has a direct
correlation with The Fertile Land and The Changing Farm themes in SSNHA
Interpretive Plan.
The matching funds for this project will be from business/corporate/private donors,
Friends of the Art Center, and the Waterloo Center for the Arts who will provide staff
and resources for the project. Thank you for your consideration. We hope that we may
count on you as a partner in a very exciting community project.
Sincerely,
C
Cammie Scully
Executive Director
2008 SSNHA GENERAL GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION FORM
Project Name Outdoor Museum Without Walls: Phase II
Project Description(Please describe your project in one sentence):
To create a memorable and welcoming visitor experience, eight large-scale public art banners will be created and
installed in downtown Waterloo as a continuation of a similar project underwritten by Silos and Smokestacks in 2002.
Applicant Name (Name of non-profit organization,local government,etc.) Waterloo Center for the Arts
Applicant's Federal I.D. Number 42-6005327
Applicant's Contact Person Shannon Farlow
Applicant's Mailing Address 225 Commercial Street
Applicant's Phone 319-291-4490
Applicant's Fax 319-291-4270
Applicant's Email Shannon.Far r
Street Address of Project Location Washington Street corridor between West 5th Street &West Park Ave.
County Name of Project Location Black Hawk
What is the budget for the proposed project?
(Please provide a breakdown in detail of figures entered below,using separate sheet if necessary.)
$10,000 Grant Amount Requested
$6,875 Amount of Cash Match
$3,500 Value of In-Kind Support
$20,375 Total Project Budget
Project funds will be used for the following type of activity:
(Number in order of priority that applies to your grant project.)
Technical Assistance Interpretive Signage 3 Marketing
Educational Programs 1 Interpretation Event Programming
2 Other (please specify) Artist fees to create the mural artwork
Application Checklist— a complete proposal includes:
x Completed Application Foiiii x Support for the Project
x Completed Budget Form/Explanation x Letter documenting Applicant's match funding (one
copy)
x 1 original and 10 completed copies x Attach, where available &when applicable, plan
documents, conceptual drawings, exhibit and interpretive
(60-.4t
desiggn plans, and/or sign design. (one copy)
C .9//,(E (E 61 C1
ApplAnt's Signc n Print Name C2t4 (2., ( 6 8
Organization and Title / Date
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2008 SSNHA GENERAL GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION FORM
Answer the following questions in the space provided.
1. Specifically describe the project you are requesting to complete with this grant.
This Public Art project will celebrate the diversity and cultural heritage of our community, enhance the site's
agricultural connection, promote and develop positive visitor experiences,make art more accessible to the
general public, and preserve and interpret America's agricultural stories and significance, as noted in the
SSNHA Interpretive Plan.
Specifically,this project is Phase II of the Silos and Smokestacks project started in 2002,featuring an eight-
panel banner exhibit in downtown Waterloo. Phase I of this project included a juried competitive public art
project based on The Fertile Land(theme 1 of the SSNHA interpretive plan),where artists Chawne Paige and
Osie Johnson were selected to create large-scale banner murals on two buildings located in the Washington
Street corridor between West 5th Street and West Park Avenue. This location is the trailhead of Prairie
Pathways in downtown Waterloo, a highly visible site that can be viewed from Washington Street,the highway
overpass, bike trails,nearby businesses and sidewalks.
To ensure continuity and cohesiveness between Phase I and II,the Center will enlist the expertise of artist
Chawne Paige to update and re-imagine the murals to complete Phase II of this project. Having been involved
in Phase I of the project, Chawne's previous research and understanding of the Silos mission and interpretive
plan will enable him to appropriately carry out the relationship between the quality of the attraction and the
capacity to further develop and sustain agricultural and heritage tourism through this enhanced attraction. He
previously researched background information on Silos and Smokestacks' mission to recognize,preserve,
promote, and celebrate the area's agricultural and industrial heritage and northeastern Iowa's contributions to
world agriculture and will utilize The Fertile Land and The Changing Farm themes to provide context for the
Phase II mural project.
The site for this mural project is in the Washington Street corridor on two adjacent buildings. Both building's
owners, Laura and Carlos Gomez and Rich Penn,have given their enthusiastic permission for this project, as it
enhances their building as much as it enhances the downtown area.Replacing the current display will be eight
new murals, six 8'x20' banner panels and two 8'x30' banners, each having a unique design and each
representing a visual personification of the Silos themes mentioned above. Utilizing the foundation of his
original 2002 murals,Chawne will incorporate the Silos themes of The Fertile Land and The Changing Farm to
infuse more color,vibrant rural imagery, and agricultural integrity into recognizable yet unique murals.
These large-scale murals will depict the relationship between animals,agriculture and landscape and how each
of these elements continually change in today's society. Our landscape doesn't look like it did twenty-five years
ago or even five years ago, and these murals will show how the city and farm landscape connect, interrelate and
work together to bridge the past, present and future. They will illustrate agricultural symbols of old versus new
technology using visual structure and visual symbolization, and visitors will subtly see the shapes and profiles of
animals being melded into the landscape of today's farm and fertile land. The artwork will reflect on how
advances in technology have caused some uses of the fertile land to be reused for recreation in nature(i.e.bike
trails)and that despite the change in use,the appreciation for the land still remains.
2. Number in order of priority those interpretive themes that relate to this grant project as
applicable.
1 The Fertile Land Higher Yields: The Science and Technology of Agriculture
Farmers and Families Farm to Factory: Agribusiness in Iowa
2 The Changing Farm Organizing for Agriculture: Policies and Politics
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Describe and/or attach examples of how your theme(s)will be preserved or interpreted through
the proposed project. Include references to subcategories from the Silos & Smokestacks
Interpretive Plan. When applicable and where available, attach an interpretive plan, exhibit design,
sign design, or other documents to illustrate your project. (one copy)
The artist will be challenged to uniquely and vibrantly interpret the area's agricultural industrial stories using the
themes of The Fertile Land and The Changing Farm as outlined in Silos and Smokestacks Interpretive Plan.
Research by the artist will be an important part of this project and will provide community and thematic
relevance to his murals. An extensive education program will provide further interpretation and will include
gallery talks, school programs,tours, a map and interpretive materials.
The murals will showcase the working lands of our area and how the effects of climate, water,plants,
technology, and human habitation are forever changing and developing a rich and productive agricultural
landscape. It will illustrate the changing landforms and grid, and the effect these changes are having and will
continue to have on nearby farms and communities. Additionally,the artwork will characterize the evolving
changes in farming technology and technique and the transformational relationships and innovation between
farmers, farm products, livestock,farmsteads and the farm labor it takes to be successful.
Please see the attached prototype design for two of the panels from the artist. The entire eight-panel mural will
uniquely highlight the agricultural story of our fertile land and changing farms and give visitors a new
perspective and interest in learning more.
3. Describe the timeline of the project. Outline key threshold tasks including beginning and
ending dates for each task.
The project goals will be planned and implemented by the Public Art Committee which includes representation
from Waterloo Main Street,Waterloo Center for the Arts, Grout Museum, Convention&Visitors Bureau,city
planners, artists, architects, Leisure Services, INRCOG, and many community volunteers. The timeline for the
project is from September 2008—May 2009.
Confirmation of Artist/Project Parameters September 2008
Proposed Designs Due to Public Art Committee November 2008
Design Review and Revisions December 2008—February 2009
Production of Murals February—March 2009
Installation of Murals April—May 2009
Opening/Unveiling of Exhibition May 2009
4. How will the proposed project develop positive visitor experiences consistent with the SSNHA
Interpretation Plan?
The dynamic,eye-catching, and casual setting of an"Outdoor Museum Without Walls"will invite families,
children and visitors to the community to observe and interact with the various art forms exhibited around
downtown, all while contributing to economic development/tourism and the quality of the agricultural
connections presented to passersby.
Public art like the murals in this project will not only make the downtown Cultural District a destination for
visitors, it will compliment and be integrated with the city's historical architecture and landscaping. In addition
to being engaged by these exhibitions,the public will have access to an extensive education program that will
provide interpretation of the works such as an opening/unveiling ceremony, gallery talks,tours, school
programs, and an interpretive map. This mural project, coupled with other public art components,will greatly
enhance the downtown landscape and will be enjoyed by thousands of visitors to our community. Public art
greatly contributes to Waterloo's cultural environment,raises public awareness,reinforces local identity,
stimulates civic pride and celebrates the true heritage of our community. It is an important element to the
cultural mix that will attract heritage tourism to our community and will link today's the downtown business
area with the rural imagery that is the backdrop of our Midwestern community. With the great number of events
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that draw visitors to downtown Waterloo,these murals and other public works of art will help create a
welcoming, positive visitor experience.
There has been a recent trend for people to visit communities offering public art exhibitions. Chicago,New
York,Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and dozens of others all have offered such projects and have successfully
drawn thousands of new visitors to their communities. This mural project will have tourist appeal, but will also
tie into and interpret our community's agricultural and industrial heritage. Because of their heritage theme,the
murals will also provide educational opportunities not available with other cities' public art projects. The
murals will chronicle stories and provide links to Waterloo's past and these community stories can be celebrated
through these narrative artworks of civic identity. The project is planned with longevity in mind -with a goal
towards building a community public art collection that will continue to grow while enhancing downtown
Waterloo and the Cultural Crossroads.
5. How does the project contribute to development of the Heritage Area region?
The murals will chronicle stories and provide links from Iowa's agricultural past to the present. The murals and
visual stories will stimulate visitors' imaginations, invite dialogue and challenge them to look at the changing
face of our farms and land. The murals will also enhance visitors' understanding of the area's cultural heritage
and will encourage residents and tourists to frequent the downtown area while giving them access to other
nearby heritage sites,thereby increasing heritage tourism.
Developing public works of art to enhance both the Center for the Arts and the greater community is one of the
long-range goals of the Art Center. This mural project would help provide a link between various cultural
facilities located downtown, and would also improve the environment and building facades,raise public
consciousness, and reinforce the local identity of our heritage. It will also enhance many important heritage
tourism projects underway downtown such as Prairie Pathways Bike Trails, Grout Museum expansion,Phelps
Youth Pavilion,Riverfront Renaissance developments, among others. The project will build upon and
strengthen existing partnerships and help create new ones.
6. How will you evaluate the project after completion? What are your intentions on maintaining
and sustaining this project after grant funding?
The overall success of this project will be based on the number of visitors to the community,number of
participants in project-related programs, community and visitor response gathered from partner organizations
such as the Waterloo Convention and Visitors Bureau and Main Street Waterloo, and direct feedback from those
attending tours, talks and related events. The Public Art Committee encourages and facilitates public art that
celebrates the diversity and heritage of Waterloo, enhances quality of life and community image,promotes
tourism and makes art more accessible to the general public. Its vision is to enhance the aesthetic environment,
celebrate our community's unique cultural heritage, and create educational and tourism opportunities through
public art. So,the project's success will also be based on how well it fulfills the connection between Silos'
Interpretive Plan and the goals and vision of the Center's Public Art Committee.
As intended when this project was started in 2002,the"Outdoor Museum Without Walls" concept was planned
with longevity in mind, and with a goal towards building a community public art collection that will continue to
grow while enhancing downtown Waterloo and the Cultural Crossroads. Additional mural and public artworks
will be continually added to downtown Waterloo and will expose visitors attending downtown events to the
power of art and connect them with their heritage. In 5-8 years,the Center plans to re-innovate these murals in
Phase III of this ongoing project. The Waterloo Center for the Arts would be honored to continue its partnership
with Silos and Smokestacks to showcase and integrate the impressive agricultural heritage of this area in public
art forums such as this project.
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7. What is the affiliation/designation of the grant applicant to SSNHA?
Strategic Investment Partner x Affiliate Site Point of Interest
If not currently officially affiliated with SSNHA,what are your plans for designation?
N/A
8. What percentage of your site do you consider to be agriculturally based?
With all of the amenities, services and programs the Waterloo Center for the Arts provides to the community,
15%of its site is considered agriculturally based.
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a
vti a ri co center for tfic arts
Outdoor Museum Without Walls: Phasell
7-ales and Smokestacks Grant Proposal:::Mine 2008
2008 GENERAL GRANT PROGRAM
PROJECT BUDGET AND NARRATIVE
The Waterloo Center for the Arts is asking consideration of Silos & Smokestacks to support
the development of"Outdoor Museum Without Walls: Phase II." Below outlines the direct
costs associated with this project.
Silos and Cash Match In-Kind Total
Smokestacks ! Match Project
Request Expenses
Personnel Use $3,000 $3,000
•
Includes staff time and ! Waterloo Center
resources. for the Arts
Artist Fee $1,500 $1,500
Includes artist Chawne Paige's
fee to design and create the
eight-panel mural. _ ?'
Production & Installation $8,000 _; $3,875 $11,875
of artwork Private donors,
Includes removing the old Waterloo Center
frames, stripping the old for the Arts
graphics, printing new full color ya
images on 13-ounce vinyl, UV
clear coat, installation of new I
banners on existing frames, and
reinstallation of frames on the
building walls.
Educational r $1,000 $1,000
Programming Waterloo Center
Includes development of •
j for the Arts
correlating educational programs =7
such as tours and gallery talks.
Promotion and Marketing $500 $1,000 $500 $2,000
Includes development, Fj Waterloo Center Waterloo Center
production, printing and mailing -Ty for the Arts, for the Arts
of promotional brochure, map, Friends of the
and interpretive piece distributed ,
Art Center
locally and regionally.
Signage ! $1,000 $1,000
Includes signage at the project Private donors,
site with interpretive information Waterloo Center
and credit given to Silos and for the Arts
other funding sources.
Total Project Budget: $10,000 j $6,875 $3,500 $20,375
/iearts.orq
Letter of Support for Public Art
Friday, January 25, 2008
Waterloo is making huge strides in improving the quality of life in the downtown
area and along the riverfront. An important part of these improvements is the
appropriate positioning of art: installations. Having a number of sculptures in
place will definitely help towards those goal. The presence of art in public places
does much for the development of our citizens (especially the young folks)
and helps improve morale overall.
Dale Phelps, Chairman
Public Art Committee, Waterloo, IA
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January 25, 2008
i
Cammie Scully, Director
Cultural and Arts Commission
225 Commercial Street
Waterloo, Iowa 50701
- - Dear Cammie:
On behalf of the Grout Museum District I would like to extend enthusiastic support for
the Public Art Committee's current project. A long history of collaboration connects the
Waterloo Center for the Arts and the Grout Museum District, and this project builds on
- that history and solidifies the connections between the history of our community and
creative expression.
As the anticipated changes in downtownWaterloo become reality, it is important that we
remember and honor the connections to our past as we take steps to shape the future.
This public art project is an important piece in the plan to showcase Waterloo as a strong
and vital city that recognizes and celebrates the creative spirit of its citizens.
Sincerely,
, 7, y„..,_..6.....r_d_
Billie Bailey
Executive Director
•
503 South Street • Waterloo, Iowa 50701 • Ph. 319 234-6357 • Fax 319 236-0500
Pinerinrn Science ImacrinariUM Grout Museum of History 2 Science Rensselaer Russell House Museum Snowden House
•
Letter of Support for a Downtown Public Art Project
January 25,2008
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is written in support of public art in the downtown area of Waterloo. It is written from the
perspective of a downtown property owner,which my husband and I have been during the past twenty
years. The first ten years we were partners in a multi-use three-story building, in which we owned and
operated an upscale restaurant. The past ten years we owned and operated a five-story hotel,in which we
spent three million dollars and three years to totally renovate inside and out.
Because of the outward migration of businesses and people from the city centers over the past forty years,
governments are realizing they need to offer incentives and other economic development tools to entice
business relocation and entrepreneurship to the downtown area. New cement and brick,however,just
won't do it anymore.
There is a growing consciousness to respect and retain the buildings of our past. In addition,reusing and
enhancing the existing built environment is being encouraged. The movement to preserve buildings
continues to grow in popularity. This approach recognizes the historic and architectural elements of the
past as assets on which to build future economic success. Malls and strip centers often duplicate historic
styles,but it is in Downtown that the original historic commercial character of a community exists.
The most successful Downtown revitalization programs today are forming private-public partnerships.
Those that bring together the business sector,the public sector,the non-profit sector are proving essential
for success. This public art project represents a partnership of many government,non-profit,and private
entities in the community of Waterloo. As was stated in the project narrative,the cultural,artistic and
historic environment is enhanced by a public art collection,which then contributes to economic
development.
By stressing the quality of the Public Art Program,this sets an example that all activities related to
Downtown must be nothing less than the best to enhance the appearance of Downtown. The quality of our
physical environment has a direct impact on our ability to attract customers,visitors,and investors. Once
again,this translates into economic development through job growth in the downtown area.
Cool places,hot spaces....this is what the Baby Boomers and the Gen-Xers are demanding in their
downtowns. Art that enhances those spaces and celebrates our cultural heritage will be an important
element in making downtown Waterloo a livable,walkable community.
Sincerely,
Mary Ellen Warren
3638 Inverness Road
Waterloo,Iowa 50701
319 235-7641
/A' waterloo center for the arts
Waterloo Cultural and Arts Commission
Public Art Committee Long-Range Plan
(adopted 6/27/02)
Vision
Our vision is to enhance the aesthetic environment, celebrate our community's unique cultural heritage, and
create educational and tourism opportunities through public art.
Mission
The Public Art Committee, under the direction of the Waterloo Cultural and Arts Commission, encourages and
facilitates public art that celebrates the diversity and heritage of Waterloo, enhances quality of life and
community image, promotes tourism and makes art more accessible to the general public.
Goals
1. Establish overall focus and vision for public art in our community
2. Secure funding which includes:
✓ a percentage of hotel/motel tax monies
V 1% of city capital projects;
✓ grants
✓ other
2. Identify and prioritize existing and potential sites for public art.
4. Provide venues for public input
5. Encourage integration of public art into overall city development, to city planning commissions, and other
appropriate entities.
Responsibilities of the committee
1. Identify artists through a selection process
2. Seek high quality designs and materials
3. Involve the public
4. Identify sites
5. Secure funding
6. Work in cooperation with appropriate city departments to ensure that projects meet all codes, ordinances
and accessibility standards
7. Implement projects as follows:
a. Determine site and best selection process for project
b. Consult with stakeholders
c. Determine criteria and expected outcome
d. Determine budget including purchase, installation, landscaping and maintenance expenses (note:
10% of project budget will be set aside for a public art maintenance fund)
e. Outline and secure funding source(s)
f. Outline process and timeline
g. Select artist and artwork
h. Submit recommendation to Waterloo Cultural and Arts Commission
i. Assist with processing contractual and other agreements through the Waterloo Cultural and Arts
Commission and City Council in compliance with all rules and regulations
j. Monitor project implementation
•
Public Art Committee Long-Range Plan, continued
8. Work with external entities in an advisory and supportive capacity
a. Review proposals for potential public art projects
b. Make a recommendation for projects
c. Follow the implementation for approved projects as outlined
9. Promote public art in the community
a. Develop long range interpretive and marketing plans
i. Encourage and advise on the publication and distribution of an interpretive guide with map of
public art sites
ii. Host public openings, unveiling, and special events as appropriate
iii. Write and distribute press releases as appropriate
b. Encourage and advise on temporary art projects.
10. Maintenance of public art
c. The City of Waterloo and the Waterloo Cultural and Arts Commission will be responsible for
ongoing maintenance of public art components in cooperation with appropriate entities.
The Public Art Committee of the Waterloo Cultural and Arts Commission is directed by the Director and
Curator of the Waterloo Center for the Arts.
The chairperson will be a member of the Waterloo Cultural and Arts Commission, recruited by the
Director of the Waterloo Center for the Arts.
The Director of the Waterloo Center for the Arts will serve as the Committee's Treasurer.
The Committee size will be a minimum of 5 with a maximum of 15 members. If a member has not
attended a meeting in 6 months, he or she will be considered retired from the Committee.
Candidates for potential Committee appointments will be identified by the Public Art Committee and
recommended by the Waterloo Cultural and Arts Commission for approval.
The committee may include representatives from:
• Main Street Waterloo Design Council
• University of Northern Iowa Department of Art
• Grout Museum
• City of Waterloo Leisure Services Department
• City of Waterloo Planning Department
• Waterloo Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Prairie Pathways
• Friends of the Art Center
• Waterloo Community Schools
• Others/At-large
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