Public Art Service Study Recommendations
McGregor Consulting
June 6, 1998

Acknowledgements | Introduction | Recommendations | Services 1 | Services 2 | Budget and Funding | Action Plan | Conclusion | Appendix 1 | Appendix 2

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Studies and Research
One of the challenges facing this organization is the need for both technical information and expanded discourse and critical writing. These are two different areas to serve and develop. It is anticipated that this organization could be a catalyst to commission studies, research and writing.

1. Case studies on innovative projects, a high priority in the field.
2. Studies and reports on specific concerns by artists, critics, design professionals, historians. Perhaps the result of a round table discussion. Encourage local roundtable discussions on specific topics for members and invited guests summarize in reports to the field.
3. Critical writing, interest in critical analysis of completed projects, trends in the field, dialogues between different points of view. The information produced by the guest editor can be produced as a monograph at the end of the term, adding general to the discourse and to reach those who are not visiting the web site.
4. Hot-line number with access to experts: great interest in asking specific questions to experts. This might start out as a column in the bulletin or members only section of the web-site to provide information to a larger number of people. Specific contact could be provided through scheduled phone appointments or perhaps through email. Draw from active members who volunteer to participate in their areas of expertise. This might also be developed as a paid service.

Desired Technical Information: Prioritized List according to the Survey
One survey questions asked respondents to indicate the areas of interest for specific types of technical, nuts and bolts information. We found that the amount of time that a person had spent in the field was not necessarily a factor in areas of interest. Artists and administrators were also interested in many of the same topics. This aspect of the database can be analyzed further and can also be used as a source for contacting experts in the future. The areas of interest are prioritized on the chart below.

1. Very High interest
• insurance for public art projects
• copyright issues
• technical information on materials
• contracts
• public art master plans
2. Great interest
• working with fabricators, installers, unions, construction trades
• conservation of existing work
• information on artist fees, panelist fees, other program budgeting issues
• setting ethical standards for the field
• planning for conservation in the creation of new work
• community participation
• determining appropriate budgets
3. Moderate interest
• legislative issues
• web site design
• how to work with consultants
• curatorial issues
• grant writing
• program development
• art appraisal
• how to make proposals
4. Less Interest
• competition organizing
• documentation
• what is public space
• why public art

Partnership Projects
There was significant interest in many services that are difficult to achieve with a small staff and require very strong and broad participation. For this reason, the ideas listed below are recommended as partnership projects.

1. Databases of completed projects, and materials/technical information. Begin by coordinating with the Museum of American Art that already operates the Smithsonian site that includes all the SOS! documentation. This is a very complex project, at the outset this group might work to develop standardized information that can be used as a guide to individual universities and programs that are setting up databases.
2. Regional symposia open to the public, produced in conjunction with university art and architecture departments, career services or galleries/museums. These might be effective when targeted on particular issues such as the Waterworks conference sponsored by the Cambridge Arts Council last year. A series might be sponsored in conjunction with the development of a planning guide for groups around the country to produce their own workshops. The organization could serve as a resource for experts and a planning consultant.
3. National Conferences, there is indeed great interest in holding a conference, however this is a very large effort that requires significant support and infrastructure. In the first years the organization should position itself to advise other professional organizations (SEGD, AIA, ASLA, AFA, NASAA, ISC, on the public art component of their programs.
4. Mentoring Program for Artists and Administrators: these programs might begin as pilot projects in one region with a replication guide for which the organization could serve as a resource.
5. Distribution System for public art related books, CD-ROM, videos, journals, and products produced by others. Perhaps available through the web site or in conjunction with host services.

Services to be developed by others
The survey indicated substantial interest in the following areas. However, these services are already provided by others. Connecting members and the public to these services and arranging a reduced rate for members is recommended. Public art tours do not exist, but this might be something to explore with a museum, university or other group that sponsors art tours.

1. Slides with profiles of distinguished projects, connect to Art on File.
2. Manual/guide to promote the development of public art programs, perhaps and update of Going Pubic.
3. Public art tours in the US and abroad.

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