New arts policy but no funding increase

A public art policy that aims to deliver community benefit through a range of art installations and projects has been adopted by Baw Baw Shire.

Following community consultation and a review of its existing policy, council adopted a new policy that includes an annual budget allocation for public art.

The scale of council’s annual financial commitment will be equal to 0.3 per cent of its capital works budget.

Cr Mikaela Power said 85 per cent of people believed art made for a richer and more meaningful life and some of that discussion included the role of public art.

Cr Michael Leaney said consultation involved discussion about “what is art and how does it fit into a community.”

“It’s an important part of the fabric of our community,” he said.

Cr Leaney commented on the AusNet utility services boxes in Warragul that had been wrapped in art and transformed. “Did we really want a set of electricity boxes in town.”

He said some public art was interesting, bizarre and undesirable – but that was the point of art.

Cr Joe Gauci said in the past it was a matter of “here’s some money and it needs to be spent.”

He said the new policy set a direction on how to spend the money rather than it being a rushed decision.

There were only 11 responses to council’s online survey about the draft policy.

Council’s Arts and Culture Advisory Committee ACAC also was involved in the review of council’s previous policy and gathered data about arts policies in other areas.

Meetings and discussions also were held with community groups including Baw Baw Probus Club, Warragul Ranges Probus Club and Baw Baw Ratepayers and Citizens Association.

Feedback generally supported the key principles of the public art policy including:

Public art projects instigated by a community are more likely to have a high level of sustained engagement and produce greater community benefit;

Public art should be delivered across the shire, including the smaller towns and rural communities, not just in the main centres;

Public art requires maintenance and ongoing management; and,

Public art has the greatest positive impact when it is integrated into major infrastructure projects at their conception and design, not merely viewed as a decorative “add-on”.

The policy proposes a sustainable and managed funding basis for public art that is scaled in relation to council’s financial position in any period.

Seven community events and an ambassador have received funding in the second round of community sponsorships this financial year by Baw Baw Shire council. Almost $23,000 was allocated.

Drouin and District Business Group received $5000 towards its Lights Up Festival last December.

The same amount has been granted towards the staging of the Drouin Ficifolia Festival this month and the Baw Baw Arts Alliance will get $1000 to assist with its arts show as part of the Ficifolia Festival.

Warragul Camera Club will receive $3000 towards its National Photographic Competition and Exhibition next month and the Rokeby and Crossover Friends Group just over $4700 for its Rokeby Twilight Trail Run, also to be staged next month.

There was some concern the proposed funding based on 0.3 per cent of council’s capital works budget represented a decrease in funds, with the previous policy allocating one per cent of council projects costing $1 million or more.

Officers said based on forward budget estimates, the amount would be approximately the same.

There was strong support for encouraging community engagement in Public Art to enable projects to reflect the community’s aspirations.

Responding to community feedback, the policy outlines a shared responsibility of both council’s arts and culture team and infrastructure and engineering team to develop and propose public art projects.

A sponsorship of $3500 has been approved for Warragul Lions Club to help it stage the zone family convention in October.

The trip of Kelly Keith of Drouin to the World Cheerleading Championships in Florida in April will be supported with an ambassador grant of $500.

Baw Baw Shire allocates community sponsorships four times each year.

Applications for the next round are now open and close on Sunday, February 9.

Mayor Danny Goss said the fund supports “popular ad vibrant events that bring the community together and praised each of the recipients for the work they do.

Community events can receive up to $5000 while Baw Baw ambassadors can apply for up to $500 (individuals) or $1500 (teams/groups).