Approved By: City Council
Category: General Administration
Approval Date: October 28, 2015
Effective Date: October 28, 2015
1. Policy Statement
Art can define a city. A city’s character, history, aspirations and challenges are expressed and reflected by its artists, through their work and with strong public engagement. Ottawa is home to myriad diverse neighbourhoods – urban, suburban and rural, as well as active communities of visual artists. The City of Ottawa recognizes culture’s role as the fourth pillar of sustainability and the important contribution artists make to a city. This policy is intended to leverage artists’ talent, vision and experience in order to develop Ottawa as an increasingly vibrant place in which to live and to visit.
Public art brings residents and tourists alike into vital everyday contact with original artworks created by professional artists. It adds to the identity and quality of the civic landscape; enriches our experience of public spaces; pays tribute to particular sites, individuals and events; builds civic pride; fosters community and enhances the city’s cultural heritage. Located in the public domain, public art is the most visible and accessible form of artistic expression supported by the City of Ottawa.
The Public Art Program strives to meet recognized professional standards and to address Ottawa’s full geographic scope. The Program:
- Fosters public awareness, understanding and interpretation of Ottawa’s rich visual art history, and develops new audiences for artistic practice;
- Holds the City of Ottawa Art Collection in trust for the people of Ottawa and preserves it for future generations;
- Provides opportunities for emerging, mid-career and established professional artists across Ottawa’s full diversity and encourages participation by First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Francophone and new Canadian artists;
- Promotes Ottawa’s artists and celebrates Ottawa’s unique status as a vibrant city and a national capital;
- Is led, supported and developed by municipal employees who work with a network of internal and external collaborators; and
- Generates significant quality-of-life and economic benefits for the people of Ottawa, elevating the civic landscape by improving its built and natural environments.
The City of Ottawa Public Art Program aligns with the Renewed Action Plan for Arts, Heritage and Culture in Ottawa, 2013-2018, and is implemented through Section 2.5.1 of the City of Ottawa Official Plan and other related plans, and best practices of other municipalities in Canada.
2. Purpose
Incorporating the strengths of the past 30 years in Ottawa and building on recent North American best practices, the Public Art Program will be governed by and will operate under one cohesive municipal policy. This renewed Public Art Policy articulates the planning, funding, selection, care and maintenance of public art, to provide the best possible program for residents now and in the future. The goals of the Policy are to:
- Clearly define the Public Art Program’s scope and selection practices;
- Enhance and expand public engagement, outreach and interpretation;
- Ensure that municipal visual art assets in the City of Ottawa Art Collection are conserved and maintained, in keeping with professional standards;
- Clearly delineate the roles and responsibilities for municipal employees, members of City Council and external collaborators;
- Provide a framework for a strategic, planned approach to ensure maximum impact and to extend opportunities into underserved urban, suburban and rural areas;
- Increase professional development opportunities for emerging, mid-career and established professional artists across Ottawa’s full diversity and encourage First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Francophone and new Canadian artists;
- Align Public Art Commissions funding with Canadian municipal best practices; and
- Increase collaboration and partnership with the private sector, internal and external stakeholders, and underserved communities.
The Public Art Policy adheres to the following core values:
- Responsible Stewardship: That the City of Ottawa Public Art Program use best practices to select, acquire, exhibit and conserve public art for current and future generations.
- Openness and Transparency: That policy, governance, process, selection, exhibition and management practices are founded on openness, competitiveness and transparency. Peer assessed selection is a cornerstone of the program. Selection process results from peer assessments are only subject to appeal on the basis of:
- Demonstrated deviation from compliance with the criteria and processes defined in this policy; and/or
- Issues raised through the public consultation process for exhibitions outlined in Section 4.2 of this policy.
- Engagement and Collaboration: That public art is the result of collaboration between artists, the public, municipal employees, public agencies, local stakeholders and the private sector.
- Encourage Excellence: That the policy, process and practice for City of Ottawa Art Collection development and management, commissions and exhibitions adhere to recognized professional standards and promote excellence in artistic practice.
- Planned Strategic Management Framework: That a successful Public Art Program is supported by solid planning and an integrated and strategic management framework
3. Policy Application
The Public Art Policy applies to Public Art Program employees and to all other municipal employees and departments that hold roles and responsibilities related to the Public Art Program.
3.1 Scope
The Public Art Program collects, commissions, presents and interprets artworks by professional visual artists. The Program is composed of two main areas of focus and function:
- The City of Ottawa Art Collection, and
- Exhibitions, Professional Development and Public Education
Not included in the scope of the Policy are community galleries and display spaces; archaeological, archival and museum collections/exhibitions; the Ottawa Mural Program; signage by-laws; graffiti management; commemorations and monuments.
The scope of the Policy applies to the following Public Art Program activities:
A) City of Ottawa Art Collection
Visual art, media art, fine craft and cross-disciplinary work with a visual art focus is acquired and accessioned into the City of Ottawa Art Collection through commission, purchase and donation.
The Art Collection, held in trust for residents, is an asset that requires professional stewardship, care, maintenance and conservation. The City of Ottawa Public Art Program follows standard collections management practices to protect the City of Ottawa Art Collection, and employs effective risk management through the provision of insurance coverage and regular appraisals of this municipal asset. Primary collections management functions include: acquisition, documentation, maintenance, conservation, interpretation and de-accessioning.
Public Art Commissions
Professional artists are commissioned to create original artworks that are funded from eligible municipal capital project budgets. Public Art Commissions enliven and add unique character to public gathering places and significant civic sites. Public art as creative place-making can also spark revitalization of and social engagement within a particular community or place. These artworks can vary in scale from art in a neighbourhood park to a major visual and iconic landmark contributing to the establishment of local distinctiveness.
Public Art Commissions are proactively integrated into the planning and implementation of municipal development and may be linked with strategic municipal objectives. Public Art Commissions may take the form of a standalone or architecturally integrated artwork, temporary or ephemeral artwork, digital artwork and other visual art forms. The Public Art Program recognizes that public art is a constantly evolving visual expression.
Purchase and Donation of Artwork
Each year, visual art of interest and importance to the City of Ottawa is acquired both through a purchase program that is funded through a municipal operating budget allocation, and by donation. Centred on the work of local, professional visual artists, purchased and donated artworks in this moveable collection are regularly circulated and displayed throughout 150 civic buildings.
Firestone Collection of Canadian Art
This significant collection of artwork by Canadian artists that spans the modern period (1900-1980), was donated by O.J. and Isobel Firestone to the Ontario Heritage Foundation in 1972. Ownership of this collection was transferred to the City of Ottawa in 1992. Works in the collection are cared for, managed and displayed by the Ottawa Art Gallery, through a legal agreement with the City of Ottawa.
B) Exhibitions, Professional Development and Public Education
Exhibitions, mentoring and internship, artist-in-residence programs, and outreach/public education increase access to visual art, provide development opportunities for artists and related sectors, and foster public engagement.
Exhibitions
The City exhibits artwork in all media that are of interest and importance to the community, that foster a sense of who we are, and that reflect current artistic practice. These exhibitions are presented in the public domain allowing for an appreciation, understanding and interpretation of our past and present through the gallery program.
Public Art Program exhibitions focus on local emerging, mid-career and established professional artists working in visual arts, media arts, fine craft and cross-disciplinary work with a visual art focus. Exhibitions provide artists with opportunities to display new work, collaborate with their peers and mount retrospectives. Artists benefit from public exposure, a professionally produced exhibition and the opportunity for career development. Exhibitions take place at Karsh-Masson Gallery, City Hall Art Gallery and at other locations offering residents and visitors opportunities to experience an ever-changing and compelling variety of artistic expressions.
A public gallery is a forum for the exploration of diverse ideas. Artists in Canada of all faiths, backgrounds and cultures have the right to artistic expression as granted by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The City of Ottawa Public Art Program upholds the right of all residents to experience and express diverse visions and views in harmony with the City’s Equity and Diversity Policy.
Mentoring and Internship
Professional development for artists is an inherent aspect of all Public Art Program activities. In addition, formal mentorship opportunities are developed and implemented, whereby established artists pair with emerging artists to collaborate on specific commissions as appropriate. Post-secondary students in related disciplines will also be offered opportunities to participate in internship programs. Other mentoring and internship opportunities may be developed in the future.
Artist-in-Residence
Artist-in-residence programs are developed in partnership with municipal departments and interested external organizations and agencies. These collaborations are intended to provide mutual benefit to the artist and to the sponsoring residency provider.
Outreach and Public Education
Outreach and public education activities are designed to increase public understanding, awareness and engagement and to create a stronger presence for and knowledge of Public Art.
4. Policy Requirements
4.1 City of Ottawa Art Collection
The City collects and exhibits artworks to foster a sense of place and of who we are. The collection is comprised of artworks in all media that are of interest, of importance, and that engages the community. These artworks are presented in the public domain allowing for an appreciation, understanding and future interpretation of the City’s visual arts history.
Public Art Commissions
One percent of eligible municipal capital construction budgets of $2 million or more from the Growth, Strategic Initiatives and Renewal capital budget categories of the City of Ottawa and its Boards and Commissions, as well as one percent of eligible P3 projects, are designated for Public Art Commissions.
The one percent applies to the individual project level of municipal construction budgets, and to the municipal contribution to construction projects funded by other agencies. Non-applicable municipal capital budgets include budget for - new equipment and lifecycle of equipment, studies, briefs and assessments related to a capital project, the soft cost components of eligible capital projects, environmental mitigation measures for an eligible project, unplanned repairs, repairs prolonging the life of an existing asset, land purchases and disposals.
This one percent portion of eligible capital funds will be transferred to a dedicated Public Art Fund specifically created and identified for Public Art projects following annual Council approval of the Capital Budget. This fund will be for the sole use of funding the Public Art projects under the delegated authority of the General Manager of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services. The Public Art Fund covers all aspects of commissions including project management, artists’ fees, the execution, installation, interpretation, maintenance and conservation of Public Art projects.
The Public Art Fund will be allocated to projects in accordance with the following goals:
- To address Ottawa’s full geographic scope (urban, suburban and rural) and underserved areas in particular;
- To determine scale of commissions and select appropriate sites with a view to improve access and visibility of public art; and
- To develop a long term vision and location plan that aligns with the Official Plan, and other related plans.
An Interdepartmental Planning Group will work collaboratively with the Public Art Program and the Public Art Committee to achieve these goals. The General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, will approve the annual work plan for commissioned art.
Public Art Commissions are managed according to the following practices:
- Public Art Commissions may be associated with the capital construction project site or where the funding source allows, may be associated with alternative sites that are more publicly accessible or that address underserved areas and strategic objectives;
- Projects such as recreation facilities, libraries and other large municipal buildings are ideal locations for public art commissions and priority will continue to link public art installations and budgets directly with these project sites;
- Where the funding source allows, projects for roadways, sidewalks, sewers, water mains, work yards, and similar infrastructure where public visibility and accessibility to public art is not inherent will see the public art commission budget pooled into a fund for allocation to more appropriate, visible and accessible locations;
- Public Art Commissions will reflect a thorough and sensitive understanding of place, context and setting and will vary in scope from neighbourhood based projects to temporary projects to larger iconic works;
- The Public Art Program will engage community stakeholders and consult the Ward Councillor on Public Art Commissions;
- Calls to artists will range in scope from local to national and international, depending on available resources, project scope and related criteria;
- Artists will be included on capital project design teams as early as possible, where applicable, to ensure successful integration of artwork;
- Commissions are selected through competitive, curatorial and/or invitational peer assessed processes that remain open and transparent and can include: Requests for Qualifications; Requests for Proposals; Requests for Expressions of Interest; and limited, invitational, or from a prequalified roster;
- Peer assessed selection is recognized as a valid evaluation protocol within City of Ottawa purchasing practice and is the protocol of choice for the Public Art Program;
- Selection criteria for commissions are project based and advertised through a competition process;
- Where appropriate, artwork for designated capital projects may be purchased rather than commissioned, providing that the work meets site specific requirements and has been selected through peer assessment; and
- The City may partner with the private sector, agencies and institutions, e.g. the National Capital Commission, the National Gallery of Canada, or other municipalities, to augment the one percent allocation and/or to implement commissions, providing that the Public Art Policy is upheld.
Purchase and Donation of Artwork
The Public Art Program invites local, professional artists to submit artwork in all visual arts media for peer assessment and potential purchase and donation into the City of Ottawa Art Collection. Purchase and donation are governed according to the following practices:
- Preference is given to local, professional artists who live, or have lived, in Ottawa or within 150 km from the centre of the City of Ottawa;
- Work by a non-local, professional artist may also be considered for acquisition if the artist or artwork has a connection to Ottawa that is clearly demonstrated in a proposal or donor submission;
- Work must adhere to established selection criteria for purchase and donation include artistic merit, regional importance and innovation, and conservation and maintenance requirements;
- Focused calls to artists related to a particular theme or period of time may be implemented in order to address strategic initiatives;
- The Public Art Program recognizes exhibition rights and non-commercial reproduction rights for promotional purposes; and
- Works are circulated and displayed in urban, suburban and rural municipal buildings and facilities and strive to ensure that artwork is fairly distributed across Ottawa’s full geographic scope, with particular attention paid to underserved areas. Accessible places of prominence and community gathering spots are considered to be prime display locations.
Collections Management
Standard professional collections management practice is implemented to manage the City of Ottawa Art Collection as a recognized municipal asset and to adhere to risk management procedures. Policy requirements include the following:
- Documentation of each artwork is maintained including provenance, legal title, photographic documentation, materials pertaining to accession, electronic records including database, accessioning and cataloguing data, information on the artist, location history and loan records, condition reports and conservation history;
- Copyright and moral rights of artworks remain the property of the artist or estate;
- Program staff apply professional standards to the physical management of the City of Ottawa Art Collection, including care and handling, maintenance, monitoring and conservation treatment as required;
- Artworks in the City of Ottawa Art Collection are eligible for external exhibition loans;
- The City of Ottawa Art Collection is appraised by an independent qualified appraiser at least once every five years. Funds will be allocated for ongoing conservation and maintenance of commissioned artwork. A percentage of the total annual Purchase operating allocation is reserved for preventative conservation;
- The City provides insurance for the City of Ottawa Art Collection and sound risk management practice;
- Any removal, relocation or de-accessioning of commissioned artwork is accomplished in consultation with the Public Art Program, artists and/or artists’ estates, the Public Art Committee, the General Manager of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services and where warranted, City Council; and
- De-accessioning of purchased and donated works is conducted on a case-by-case basis. The Public Art Program monitors artworks to determine whether specific pieces should be recommended for de-accessioning, in consultation with the Public Art Committee (see Section 5.3) and/or an independent conservator. The determination is evaluated according to collections management practice and includes such considerations as the current condition, security, or cost of rehabilitation of the artwork.
4.2 Exhibitions, Professional Development and Public Education
Exhibitions
An annual open call invites professional artists, artist collectives and curators working in visual arts, media arts and fine craft to propose exhibitions. Proposals for exhibitions, to be presented in a one year cycle, are reviewed by peer assessment jury. The exhibition program, and jury assessment is governed according to the following parameters:
- Preference is given to local artists, artist collectives and curators who live, or have lived, in Ottawa or within 150 km from the centre of the City of Ottawa;
- Proposals for other touring and special exhibitions are eligible, providing there is no significant cost to the City;
- A roster of eligible candidates for peer assessment juries is selected annually through a collaborative review process involving the appointed members of the Public Art Committee;
- An open Call for Proposals to artists outlines requirements, which include a proposal statement accompanied by supporting images and a résumé;
- Selection of proposals for exhibitions presented during one calendar year is made one year in advance by a peer assessment jury and is based on artistic merit, regional importance, innovation, professionalism, cohesiveness and appropriateness to the public nature of the gallery space;
- The annual jury selections for exhibitions, including exhibit and artist details and schedule, is broadly communicated to the general public before finalization. Members of the public are invited, within a 30 day period, to raise any concerns with one or more proposed exhibits and request that a reconsideration should a concern arise that the peer assessment jury’s deliberations and recommendations did not follow publicly announced assessment criteria and procedures;
- Public Art Program employees direct concerns received during the 30 day public consultation process period to the Public Art Committee to assess and determine policy compliance and the validity of a concern from the public. The Committee reports its findings to the General Manager of Parks, Recreation and Culture for resolution;
- At any time, if there is a concern or inquiry about an exhibition, Public Art Program employees may refer the inquiry to the Public Art Committee for consideration and a final decision may be made by the City Manager in consultation with the City Solicitor, who will consider the details of the concern or inquiry about the artwork, the peer assessment, the Public Art Committee’s recommendations, and all other relevant information.
- In the event of a determination that an exhibit proceeds, Public Art Program employees will work to create a dialogue with the public to address and mitigate potential areas of concern;
- Where no public concerns are received within the 30 day consultation period, proposed annual exhibit schedule will be finalized and implemented by staff;
- Other temporary and permanent sites may be identified for exhibition and installation in order to supplement exhibition programming at Karsh-Masson Gallery and City Hall Art Gallery, and/or to focus on new or underserved areas;
- Professional artists are paid Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC) fees when their work is exhibited; and
- Selected artworks from the City of Ottawa Art Collection are displayed in the City’s professional galleries as part of exhibition programming.
Mentoring and Internship
Mentoring and internship opportunities are developed and implemented for artists, post-secondary students and other interested parties, according to the following practices:
- Public Art Program mentorship opportunities for artists will be advertised through open calls and selected through peer assessment;
- Students enrolled in post-secondary institutions may be eligible to participate in an unpaid, curriculum-based work placement;
- The Public Art Program provides guidance and an exhibition venue to local academic institutions, to assist in the completion of their thesis requirements, where appropriate; and
- The Public Art Program participates in opportunities arising from cultural exchanges, trade delegations and twin city relationships.
Artist-in-Residence
Artist residencies are sponsored by private partners, communities and/or institutions where there is demonstrated collaborative potential, an opportunity for cross-sectoral innovation, and/or where the residency has the potential to be mutually beneficial.
Outreach and Public Education
The City of Ottawa Public Art Program will provide adequate resources to ensure that interpretation, outreach and public education in both official languages is implemented. Other languages, such as Algonquin, may also be used as appropriate. The Public Art Program will use current technology and best practices to promote the Art Collection, local artists, and its exhibitions, activities and events. Outreach, education and social practice activities aimed at engaging and informing the public across Ottawa’s full geographic scope will be carried out with the appropriate resources.
5. Responsibilities
5.1 Public Art Program Employees, Cultural Services Branch
The City of Ottawa Public Art Program employees work with artists, municipal planners, capital project managers, community representatives and private and business sector representatives to plan and integrate art into public settings. The Public Art Program champions, guides and implements all aspects of the program. Public Art Program employees are responsible for acquisitions, collections management, commissioning, co-ordination of the selection process, presentation and interpretation of all artworks within the scope of this Policy. Public Art Program employees are also responsible for developing procedures relating to the City of Ottawa Art Collection and the Public Art Program, and for coordination of the Interdepartmental Planning Group and the Public Art Committee. The Arts and Heritage Development Unit, in consultation with Public Art Program employees and other internal/external stakeholders, is responsible for Public Art Policy development.
5.2 Public Art Interdepartmental Planning Group
The Public Art Program will establish and implement an Interdepartmental Planning Group, which includes representatives from City Departments and Boards with responsibility or knowledge relating to the planning or implementation of Public Art Commissions.
This internal working group will:
- Represent departmental perspectives in developing criteria for site selection;
- Participate in location planning for commissioned public art; and
- Ensure early integration of commissioning in the planning process and open communication about commissioned artwork.
5.3 Public Art Committee
A Public Art Committee will advise municipal staff on all Public Art Policy directions: Commissions, Purchase, Exhibitions and Outreach. Experts from the community will be selected to serve as members of this Committee, thereby increasing community engagement.
The Public Art Committee is a Departmental Consultative Group attached to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) and reporting to the General Manager, PRCS
The following applies for the selection and administration of the Public Art Committee:
- Experts will be invited to apply through an open call process and will be selected through peer assessment;
- Committee members will demonstrate professional expertise relating to public art and will reflect Ottawa’s official language groups, diversity and geographic scope;
- Committee members will participate with City staff in high level planning activities led by the City, review policy, and meet annually with the Interdepartmental Public Art Planning Group;
- Committee members will serve as a collaborative forum for feedback as new ideas are being developed;
- Committee members will provide high level input on public art initiatives and procedures as required by the Public Art Program, including but not limited to public art site planning, pilot projects, review of prequalified roster of selection committee candidates, recommendations for de-accessioning, and Policy compliance;
- Committee members will assist to foster community engagement and public support to enhance the value and impact of the Public Art Program;
- Committee members will review proposals for permanent public art on municipal land (not commissioned through the Public Art Program) for policy compliance and advise the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services; and
- Committee members will review complaints, and exhibition reconsideration request for policy compliance and makes recommendations for resolution to the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services.
5.4 Public Art Development by the Private Sector
On City Lands
Private agencies who commission public art on City lands must comply with the following directions:
- Permanent Public Art Commissions on City of Ottawa land not commissioned through the Public Art Program must adhere to the City of Ottawa Public Art Policy, including the requirement to commission professional visual artists and to include them in the selection process; and
- These proposals for public art on City-owned land will be reviewed by the Public Art Committee for policy compliance prior to the granting of development approvals.
On Private Lands
The City actively encourages the private sector to include public art in development projects as an option to elevate and improve the civic landscape. The City will:
- Work to establish Public Art Commissioning Guidelines (including development of project specifications, selection process, installation) for public art projects on private property in consultation with representatives from the private sector; and
- Actively provide the private sector and Business Improvement Associations with the Public Art Commissioning Guidelines, and will attach them to the City of Ottawa Development and Review application stage. Public Art Program employees may provide the private sector with consultative services related to public art project specification, selection process and installation, for a fee and according to a developed fee schedule.
Section 37 of the Ontario Planning Act permits the City of Ottawa to authorize increases in the permitted height and/or density of buildings through zoning by-laws in return for specific community benefits. These increases in height and/or density act as incentives for developers to provide these benefits at no cost to the City. Public art is included in the listing of community benefits. Where Section 37 funds are used for Public Art, the Public Art Policy must be adhered to.
5.5 City of Ottawa Urban Design Review Panel
Ottawa’s Urban Design Review Panel is an independent advisory panel of volunteer design professionals who provide an objective peer review of both public and private sector development projects throughout the City’s Design Priority Areas. Established in 2010, this Panel is intended to enhance the City’s capabilities in achieving architectural and urban design excellence. The City of Ottawa Design Objectives include public art (Design Objective 1.3, Create Unique Communities). To increase adherence to the City’s Urban Design Objectives, the Public Art Program will:
- work with municipal Urban Design employees to further connect public art with design objectives; and
- where appropriate, one professional visual artist will be added to the Urban Design Review Panel for technical advice
6. Monitoring Conventions
Cultural Services and the Public Art Program and the Public Art Committee will collaborate to monitor Public Art Policy implementation to determine if:
- The assumptions underpinning the Policy continue to be valid;
- Policy priorities remain constant;
- The Policy is being carried out; and
- The Policy is having the desired outcome.
The Public Art Program may bring forward amendments to this Policy when required. A complete review of the Policy will occur once every ten years.
7. References
In 1985, the City of Ottawa developed one of the first visual art policies in Canada. The City of Nepean approved a Public Art Policy in 1989, followed by Kanata (1997) and the City of Gloucester (1998). The Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton approved an Art in Public Spaces Policy in 1990.
During development of the renewed City of Ottawa Public Art Policy (2015), reference was made to:
- Public Art policies from pre-amalgamation municipalities and the Regional Municipality; and
- Current Public Art policies in other North American cities, including Calgary, Chicago, Edmonton, Moncton, Montreal, Richmond Hill, Surrey, Toronto, Kingston, and Vancouver.
8. Legislative and Administrative Authorities
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
Bilingualism Policy, City of Ottawa
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Constitution Act, 1982
Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC)
Code of Conduct for Members of Council, City of Ottawa
Comprehensive Asset Management Policy, City of Ottawa, 2012
Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c.C-42), Government of Canada
Cultural Property Export and Import Act, (R.S.C.1985. c.C_51), Government of Canada
Departmental Consultative Groups Framework, City of Ottawa
Employee Code of Conduct, City of Ottawa
Equity and Diversity Policy, City of Ottawa
Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
Official Plan, City of Ottawa
Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O.1990, c.0.18
Ontario Human Rights Code
Planning Act, RSO 1990, Province of Ontario
Renewed Action Plan for Arts, Heritage and Culture in Ottawa (2013-2018), City of Ottawa
Status of the Artist Act, CSC 1992, Government of Canada
Tangible Capital Asset Policy, City of Ottawa
Urban Design: A Reference Guide to Creating Great Places and Great Spaces, City of Ottawa
9. Definitions
Accessible: Used in this policy as a term to describe ease of interaction for the public with an artwork
Accession :The act of recording and processing an acquisition to the permanent collection
Acquisition: Obtaining art through commission, purchase, donation, gift or bequest
Artist, Professional: A visual artist who has completed specialized training in his or her artistic field or is recognized by his/her peers as such; is committed to his/her artistic activity; and has a history of public presentation
- Emerging artist: A visual artist in the early years of a professional career who may have had previous professional exhibitions, commissions, presentations or installations
- Mid-career artist: A visual artist who has received basic training in his/her artistic field, has practiced his/her art for four to seven full years and has created at least two presentations, exhibitions or installations in a professional context
- Established artist: A visual artist who has an extensive body of work, a history of national and/or international presentation and who has achieved wide recognition
- Local artist: A visual artist who lives, or has lived, in Ottawa, or within 150 km. from the centre of the City of Ottawa
Best Practice: A method or technique that has consistently shown results superior to those achieved with other means, and that is used as a benchmark. In addition, a best practice can evolve to become better as improvements are discovered. Applying best practice combines the ability to balance the unique qualities of an organization with the practices that it has in common with others.
Creative Place-making: A practice that intentionally leverages the power of the arts, culture and creativity to serve a community’s interest while driving a broader agenda for change, growth and transformation in a way that also builds character and quality of place.
Copyright: Grants the author of an artwork the sole right to reproduce, distribute, display, and alter their artworks. It expires 50 years after the artist’s death. It may be assigned or licensed to another individual or institution and/or it may be assigned exclusively or jointly. Copyright also extends to the use of images of an artwork for promotional or educational purposes.
- Moral Rights include the right to the integrity of the artwork in regard to associations or modifications. They include the right to be associated with the artwork as its author by name, pseudonym or the right to remain anonymous. Moral Rights are non-transferable and endure even after copyright has been assigned. The rights may be waived by the artist agreeing to not exercise them in whole or in part. Examples of violation of Moral Rights may include:
- An act or omission performed on the artwork that affects the honour or reputation of the artist; and
- Changing the colour of the artwork or adorning it with additional elements
Taking steps to restore or preserve the artwork would not be included as long as this work is performed in good faith. Also, changing the location of the work does not generally constitute a violation, but in the case of works of public art, the exact siting may be considered part of the work.
De-accession: (1) An object that has been removed permanently from a collection; (2) Formal removal of accessioned objects from a permanent collection. The act of physically removing object(s) from a collection.
Interpretation: A term used in art galleries and museums to describe educational, explanatory or didactic material or activities
Mentorship: An opportunity for an emerging artist to work with an established artist on a project relevant to his/her area of work and interest
Peer Assessment: All commissioned, purchased and donated artwork, and exhibitions are selected through peer assessment in accordance with the criteria described in this policy. The makeup of peer assessment juries vary according to requirements. Membership includes emerging, mid-career and established professional artists, and may also include external art administrators, art academics, as well as related experts and community stakeholders. Peer diversity is considered, with attention paid to the inclusion of First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Francophone and new Canadian artists. A roster of pre-qualified candidates for peer assessment juries is reviewed annually by the appointed members of the Public Art Committee.
Professionally-Produced Exhibition: Includes catalogue and invitation design and printing, technical assistance, promotions, and opening reception event planning
Public Art: A visual artwork in any media created by an artist(s) that has been planned and executed with the specific intention of being sited or staged in public space, and is acquired in compliance with the City of Ottawa’s Public Art Policy
- Integrated public art forms a physical part of a building, structure or landscape. If the site were to be redeveloped, the art would be as well.
- Stand-alone (non-integrated) public art is not a physical part of a building, structure or landscape
- Temporary public art is an original work by an artist(s) that is created for a specific occasion, time frame or event and which is situated at a particular site on a temporary basis. The art may cover a range of forms including, but not limited to, visual art, digital art, sound art, and performance-based work.
- Site-specific art, whether long-term or temporary, functional or aesthetic, stand-alone or integrated and in any media, is an original work that is created in response to the immediate context
Sign: Any visual medium used to convey information by way of words, pictures, graphics, emblems or symbols, or any device used for the purpose of providing direction, information, identification, advertisement business promotion or the promotion of a product, activity, service or idea [Permanent Signs on Private Property, City of Ottawa By-law No.2005-439]
Urban Design: The process of applying desired functional and aesthetic parameters to the design of the city and its parts
10. Keyword Search
City of Ottawa Art Collection
Collections Management
Commissions
Donations
Exhibitions
Purchase
Public Art Committee
Public art
11. Enquiries
For more information on this Policy, contact:
Nicole Zuger
Program Manager, Arts and Heritage Development
613-580-2424 x 23150
nicole.zuger@ottawa.ca
