Title
Cultural Development Board Meeting of March 2, 2021.
Body
NEW BUSINESS:
a. PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING - ARTIST PROPOSAL REVIEW & RECOMMENDATION
Prior to the meeting, the Board received, and reviewed, proposals submitted for the Public Safety Building (PSB). Staff gave a brief overview of the process to date, noting that the Arts Advisory Panel met and reviewed 145 qualified responses for the PSB public art Request For Qualifications (RFQ) and recommended the following twelve artists for Police and Fire to consider: Rosario Marquardt, Rob Ley, Shane Allbritton/Norman Lee, Adam Kuby, Jephson Robb, Mark Reigelman, Matthew Mazzotta, Nick Ervnick, Resa Blatman, Jim Hirschfield, John K. Melvin, and the team of MIIM + JW. They were advised that Police Chief Hudak and Fire Chief de la Rosa reviewed the qualifications of the artists and selected the artists Shane Allbritton/Norman Lee, Adam Kuby, Nick Ervnick, and Jim Hirschfield to move forward in the process; the artists were interviewed by the Chiefs and staff with Jim Hirschfield and Norman Lee requested to submit concept proposals. It was stated that the PSB Review Panel (including Police Chief Hudak, Fire Chief de la Rosa, and CDB appointee Leslie Pantin) met on October 29, 2020 and reviewed proposals which were presented by Jim Hirschfield and Norman Lee. Due to COVID19, the Panel was unable to meet the in-person quorum requirement until recently and completed their discussion on February 24, 2020 making a motion recommending acceptance of the Public Safety Building public art proposal concept by the artist team of Shane Albritton/Norman Lee, with direction to remove the bench, raise the height of the base, and increase the height of the sculpture.
A motion was made by Mr. Pantin recommending the artist team of Shane Allbritton/Norman Lee and the proposed concept for the Public Safety Building public art with modifications to remove the seating element, raise the base, and increase the height of the sculpture as recommended by the Arts Advisory Panel and Public Safety Building Selection Panel. Mr. Martinez seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
b. COCOPLUM ROADWAY (LE JEUNE ROAD) BRIDGE - REPORT
Prior to the meeting, the Board received a report regarding the Cocoplum Roadway Bridge replacement as it relates to Art in Public Places. Ms. Cathers reported that in response to the Board’s request, she spoke with representatives of the project from Miami-Dade County. A rendering of the proposed bridge was placed on screen for reference as the report was reviewed.
CULTURAL GRANTS:
a. GRANTEE PROGRAMS
Four grantee organizations presented updates in response to the Board’s request to have presentations from grantees addressing how they are working through the pandemic and how programming has altered. The following Coral Gables Based organization leaders gave brief updates and answered questions from the Board: Barbara Stein, Actors’ Playhouse; Brenda Moe, Coral Gables Art Cinema; John Allen, Coral Gables Museum; and Tracy Magellan, Montgomery Botanical Center.
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES UPDATES:
The Board was informed of the re-opening of the Garage 7 Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and that new qualifications will be accepted until March 8th. The Board was asked to share the RFQ and forward any names of artists they would like to see considered. Staff reviewed the intent to commission artwork within the stairwell features of the garage and of the Police and Fire Chief’s interest in artwork that acts as a beacon for the site, making the building visible from a greater distance.
Staff reported meeting with the design team for Fire Station 4 and that they will continue attending meetings with the intent of including an artist for the project as early as possible.
It was reported that the on-site maintenance assessment from Evergreene was completed last week and a report is anticipated in time to present at the next Board meeting.
The Board was advised that Kiki Smith’s exhibition Blue Night on Giralda Plaza will be in place until the end of April. Ms. Cathers noted that it is a highly activated piece, especially delightful during the daylight when the sun catches the mirrored reflections. She added that Illuminate Coral Gables will close the evening of March 13, one day early due to daylight savings. Ms. Cathers reported extensive local and national press and that Giralda Plaza has experienced increased activity overall. There was a regular flow of people at all exhibition sites without crowding, she said, and Illuminate Coral Gables continues to seek volunteer ambassadors and drivers of Cai Guo-Qiang’s Fireflies.
OLD BUSINESS:
There was no old business.
CITY COMMISSION ITEMS:
There were no Commission items to report.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
There were no discussion items.
ITEMS FROM THE SECRETARY:
There were no additional items from the secretary.