Council, 28 February 2002.

  1. That the existing Art in Public Places Policy be replaced by the Artworks in Public Places Policy
  2. That the external representation on the Artworks in Public Places Subcommittee be as follows:
    • A representative of Tangata Whenua
    • A representative of the Canterbury branch of the Institute of Architects
    • A representative of the Canterbury branch of the Institute of Landscape Architects.
    • Director of the Centre of Contemporary Art
    • One further member to be co-opted by the Subcommittee for specialist knowledge/expertise as required.
  3. That artworks in public place contracts incorporate provisions for:
    • Copyright in artwork to be vested in the Council; and
    • The Council to retain the right to relocate an artwork at its discretion.

Policy statement

To enhance the public spaces of the City of Christchurch by the introduction of artworks in to the city environment as a means to enhance city and community identity and to promote the city as a centre of artistic and cultural excellence.

Definitions

'Arts' - those activities which allow for the expression of life, creativity and culture, and which may be expressed through participation, performance, display, and exhibition, by all people in both professional and non-professional capacities.

'Artwork' or ‘Works of Art’ - the original concepts of artists, executed in any visual art/craft medium including sculpture, carved, cast, constructed; paintings, light works, projected or illuminated, prints, drawings, photographs, murals, banners, wall hangings, ceramics, assemblages or combinations of media. Artworks may have auditory and/or tactile dimensions as well as visual elements.

'Artist' – any person who has creative, interpretative or conceptual skills that result in the creation of an artwork

'Public Places' are any areas under the control of the Christchurch City Council including parks and reserves, streets, squares, riverbanks, bridges and buildings, sites and airspace, and other locations by agreement between the Council and property owners.

Categories of artworks in public places

Three categories of artwork within the definition of artworks in public places:
  1. Urban and environmental artworks
    • Stand alone artworks located in an urban or natural environment
    • Usually created for the space concerned or in special circumstances transferred to it
    • Not necessarily an integral element of the space but has a contextual relationship to it
    • Permanent or temporary artworks
    • Created by a professional artist.
  2. Integrated artworks
    • Artworks created as part of the development of a site/building or functional artworks (e.g. seats, lampposts, water fountains) for a site/building
    • Conceived especially for or as part of the site and forms part of the built environment
    • Has a physical connection to the space concerned and may be integral in the building/site i.e. there may be no separate artwork as such
    • Usually permanent and not transferable
    • Usually created by a professional artist in collaboration with the project team for the site or building (eg architect, landscape architect, urban designer, engineer).
  3. Community artwork
    • Artworks created with a significant degree of community involvement
    • Usually created for the space concerned or in special circumstances transferred to it
    • Permanent or temporary artworks
    • May be created by either: an artist working in collaboration with members of the community, or directly by members of the community, with or without the supervision of an artist
    • It should be noted that the process of creating the artwork may be as or more important than the resulting artwork.

Values

The adoption of an artwork in public places policy reflects the belief that:
  1. Works of art in public places provide opportunities for citizens to participate in artistic and cultural activity.
  2. Works of art are indicators of the cultural vigour of a community and when displayed in public places, promote the city as a centre of artistic and cultural excellence.
  3. Indicates the Council's intention of playing a key role in the support of artistic and cultural initiatives, recognises that such activity enhances quality of life and has the potential to stimulate economic development.
  4. As a guardian of the city's artistic and cultural heritage, the Council has a duty to stimulate timely additions to that heritage and provide for the monitoring and good management of its cultural assets.
  5. The Council has a role in actively supporting the development of Maori arts to the benefit of Maori and to other cultures in the city.
  6. A variety of art forms is recognised and encouraged as contributing to a full and vibrant arts life in the city. Both contemporary and traditional arts forms are recognised and valued and creative risk taking is encouraged.
  7. Successful creativity and excellence in the arts is to be aimed for and valued.
  8. Partnerships between stakeholders in the arts community enhances provision of artworks in public places.
  9. The many different cultures in the city should be encouraged to participate in and celebrate their distinct art forms and maintain the meaning and history behind their arts. The sharing of those arts forms will help increase understanding and acceptance of cultural diversity.

Objectives

  1. A city environment enriched by a variety of works of art in public spaces
    1.1 To identify locations within the city suitable for the display of works of art
    1.2 To facilitate funding of public artwork projects
    1.3 To encourage the placement of appropriate works of art in public places
    1.4 To provide opportunities for citizens and visitors to interact with works of art in public areas
    1.5 To encourage partnerships with funders and other organisations to enhance the display of artwork in public places
    1.6 To develop expertise within the City in the administration and management of artwork in public places projects.
  2. Recognition of the excellence and achievements of local artists
    2.1 To encourage the creation of works of arts by Canterbury artists of merit.
  3. Responsible guardianship of the city's cultural assets
    3.1 To maintain registers of cultural property
    3.2 To evaluate and monitor significant proposals for the establishment of works of art in public places and advise the Council
    3.3 To recognise the importance of maintaining and preserving cultural assets
    3.4 To advise on the maintenance and preservation of cultural assets.

Registration and maintenance

That the registration and maintenance of statues, fountains, clocks, memorials and other public artworks and structures which fall within the responsibility of the Council be carried out within the following guidelines:
    1. Registration and maintenance of artworks that are situated within the precincts of a Council-owned building shall be the responsibility of the Art Gallery
    2. All other statues, fountains, clocks, memorials, plaques and other public artworks and structures shall be registered and maintained by the Parks & Waterways Unit.

That regular condition assessments be made by the responsible units allowing maintenance needs to be programmed and funded through the ten year operating budget projections.

That the registration and maintenance of statues, fountains, clocks, memorials and other public artworks and structures that fall within the responsibility of the Council be monitored annually through a report to the Artworks in Public Places Sub-committee and reported to the Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee.

Other relevant policies

Contribution to the Council’s strategic objectives:
The Art [Artworks] in Public Places Policy contributes to the achievement of the following Council strategic objectives:

A1 Maximising opportunities for residents to participate in learning and leisure activities by supporting and providing visual and performing arts.

A4 Celebrating, protecting and increasing understanding of cultural diversity by

  • Supporting a range of arts, festivals and events.
  • Facilitating the cultural expression of ethnic and cultural groups.
  • Recognising the unique role of tangata whenua.

C2 Ensuring that the development and redevelopment of the built environment

  • Enhances the unique qualities of the city particularly the physical characteristics such as parks, gardens, riverbanks and buildings.
  • Increases the central city’s role as the heart of the city.

G1 Protecting the rights of tangata whenua under the Treaty of Waitangi.

G3 Considering and protecting the aspirations of all people in all planning and delivery of all Council activity.

Arts Policy and Strategy:
The Art [Artworks] in Public Places Policy contributes to the achievement of the Council’s Arts Policy.

The Arts Policy Statement is as follows:
The Christchurch City Council is committed to achieving an enlivened and creative city in which the arts are widely recognised as being essential.

The Art in Public Places Policy contributes to the achievement of the following outcomes in the Arts Policy:

  • People can learn about the arts and develop their artistic ability.
  • The arts are widely recognised as a means of promoting local community identity – reflecting who we are & creating a sense of local and national pride.
  • Artistic diversity is encouraged and celebrated.
  • Artistic achievement and excellence are recognised and valued.
  • The Treaty of Waitangi is honoured and practises of partnership are respected through the arts.
  • The arts are an integrated part of all aspects of life, rather than a separate and distinct area of activity.
  • The arts are accessible to all with participation in and enjoyment of the arts high. 

Artworks in public places - operational procedures policy

  1. That the Council approve[s] the establishment and roles of the Public Art Team as detailed in Appendix 2 [PDF, 27 KB]
  2. That the Council approve[s] the Urban and Environmental Artworks process as described in Appendix 3 [PDF, 59 KB]
  3. That the Council approve[s] the Community Artworks process as described in Appendix 6 [PDF, 16 KB]
  4. That the Council approve[s] the Artworks In Public Places Gifts Policy in Appendix 8 [PDF, 30 KB]
  5. That the Council approve[s] the Commissioning/Acquisition Process as described in Appendix 9 [PDF, 25 KB] 
  6. That the Council approve[s] the Procedures for Moving and Altering Artworks as described in Appendix 10 [PDF, 23 KB] 
  7. That funding allocations made to Community Boards towards the cost of community artworks be in accordance with the process set out in Appendix 5 [PDF, 15 KB] and Appendix 6 [PDF, 16 KB] of the report.

Artworks in public places plan policy

That the Artworks In Public Places Plan (consisting of the prioritisation matrix Appendix 3 [PDF, 13 KB] and the prioritised locations in Appendix 4 [PDF, 26 KB]) to be adopted.