HomeMy WebLinkAboutArt in Public Places Strategic Plan 2001TOWN OF VAIL
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
STRATEGIC PLAN
Adopted November 6, 2001 by the Vail Town Council
Spirit Poles and Flying Pigs: Public Art and
Cultural Democracy in American Communities (1995)
Public art has the unique potential
to encourage the public to realize
their voice — their power —
in the public sphere.
Erika Doss
Vail AIPP Board
Kathy Langenwalter,Co-Chariman
Jonathan Greene,Co-Chariman
Nancy Sweeney
Kyle Webb
Sherry Dorward
Barbie Christopher
Alan Kosloff
George Lamb
Diane Golden
Sybill Navas
Planning and Environmental Commission
Galen Aasland,Chairman
John Schofield
Brian Doyon
Diane Golden
Chaz Bernhardt
Doug Cahill
Dick Cleveland
Town Staff
Leslie Fickling,AIPP Coordinator
Strategic Plan Task Force
Nancy Sweeney
Kyle Webb
Jonathan Greene
Kathy Langenwalter
Leslie Fickling
Vail Town Council
Ludwig Kurz,Mayor
Sybill Navas,Mayor Pro-Tem
Diana Donovan
Kevin Foley
Greg Moffet
Chuck Ogilby
Rod Slifer
Design Review Board
Clark Brittain,Chairman
Bill Pierce,Vice-Chairman
Hans Woldrich
Andy Blumetti
Charlie Acevedo
Consultants
Dominic Mauriello,Braun Associates,Inc.
Thomas Braun,Braun Associates,Inc.
Andy Dufford,Artscapes,LLC.
Simon Zalkind,Public Art Advisory Services
Acknowledgements
The Art in Public Places Strategic Plan is the result of several years of public input,creative thinking,and
hard work by the AIPP Board and other involved parties.The Vail AIPP Board would like to acknowledge
the input and wisdom of the following groups and individuals who helped make this document and its
implementation a reality.
VAIL ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
PROGRAM POLICIES AND
GUIDELINES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I.EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1
II.INTRODUCTION 3
III.OPPORTUNITIESFOR PUBLIC ARTIN VAIL 7
IV.FUNDING MECHANISMS 17
V.IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES 19
VI.RELATIONSHIPOF STRATEGIC PLANTO TOWN PLANNING DOCUMENTS 21
VII.STRATEGIC PLAN ADOPTION PROCESS 23
VIII.AIPP ART COLLECTION 24
page 1
The Town of Vail Art in Public Places (AIPP) Board,in
conjunction with other Town boards,commissions,focus
groups,and interested citizens,has developed this Strategic
Plan to guide the Art in Public Places (AIPP) program in Vail.
This Plan describes existing AIPP programs and outlines the
future direction for Art in Public Places including options for
future funding mechanisms.One of the major focal areas of
the Plan is site-integrated art,which provides for the incor-
poration of public art in public and private areas throughout
the Town.This plan is ultimately intended to promote public
art in the Town of Vail.
The Plan clearly describes the overall goals of the AIPP
Board as well as the following actions:
Implement site-integrated public art program on public
lands and projects throughout the Town of Vail.
Adopt an ordinance implementing a percent for art
program on public improvement projects.
Encourage and strengthen relationships with private
landowners and developers in order to incorporate artis-
tic elements within development and redevelopment
projects.
Enforce existing zoning regulations that may require
developers to provide streetscape and public art as miti-
gation for development impacts.
Develop design guidelines that address public art and
implement an administrative process to ensure AIPP
involvement on substantial private projects.
The AIPP Board,when looking for guidance and direction on
new endeavors and program goals,will refer to this Plan.The
Plan is also intended as an educational document to help Town
of Vail officials,private property owners,and interested citizens
understand Vail’s public art programs and activities.
Section II,Introduction,provides an overview of the AIPP
Program and introduces the concept of site-integrated art.This
section also provides a definition of public art and describes the
current goals of the AIPP Board.
Section III,Opportunities for Public Art In Vail,provides details of
all of the opportunities for public art in Vail including site-inte
I. Executive Summary
grated art,acquisition of public art,temporary public art,and opportunities for private prop-
erty participation in public art.
Section IV,Funding Mechanisms,describes the funding opportunities available to the Town for
promoting public art.These opportunities include percent for art,direct Town funding,
temporary donations of public art,donations and gifts,and fund raising and grants.
Section V,Implementation Activities,describes the recommended activities to fully implement
this Strategic Plan.These activities include creating a program to ensure the inclusion of site-
integrated art in public projects,adopting a percent for art program,and creating partnerships
with the private sector.
Section VI,Relationship of Strategic Plan to Town Planning Documents,details the relevance of
this plan to other Town planning documents.
Section VII,Strategic Plan Adoption Process,describes the process utilized to develop and
make amendments to this plan.
page 2
page 3
Vail is a Town with a unique natural setting;internationally known
for its natural beauty,alpine environment,and man-made struc-
tures that are compatible with the environment.These
characteristics have caused a significant number of people to visit
Vail with many of these visitors eventually becoming permanent
residents participating in community life (Vail Design Guidelines).
The founders of Vail originally planned the Town with a vision to
make it memorable and strict guidelines were developed to
make Vail a unique community and vacation destination.Much of
the success of Vail as a resort and as a community has been a
direct result of this original concept.Over the years this vision
has manifested itself in Town policies and regulations used to
direct growth and development.After nearly forty years,the
Town has fully developed and is now undergoing a period of
revitalization or renaissance.As buildings,streets,and public
plazas are reborn,Vail has the opportunity to inject new life into
the everyday experience of the resident and guest by using the
resources offered by the Town’s Art in Public Places program.
The Town of Vail’s Art In Public Places (AIPP) program was offi-
cially adopted in1992 to "promote and encourage the
development and public awareness of fine arts." The ordinance
adopting the AIPP program and establishing an AIPP Board was
based on the Art in Public Places program Policies and
Guidelines adopted in July of 1989.The AIPP Board and the AIPP
program were further refined in1996 establishing the eleven-
member AIPP Board,as it exists today.The AIPP program
Policies and Guidelines describe the process and criteria to be
used to evaluate potential public art pieces and projects.These
Guidelines also detail the administration of the AIPP Board and
program.The AIPP Board is the governing body overseeing and
maintaining all public art installations in the Town.
The current AIPP program focuses largely on commissioning art
pieces for specific locations within the community and providing
for the placement throughout the Town of temporary art sculp-
tures on loan from galleries.The AIPP program has relied upon
the generosity of artists and galleries to provide temporary art
and the Town Council to fund specific art projects.
II. Introduction
The following is a definition of public art as used
by this Strategic Plan.
Public art or Art in Public Places,defined in its
broadest sense,is any original creation of visual
art that is:
Acquired with public monies,
Acquired with a combination of
public/private funding,
Donated or loaned to the Town’s Art in
Public Places program,or
Privately sponsored artwork that is located
on publicly owned land.
Public art may also be artwork that is created or
on display on private property to be viewed by
the general public.Examples of public art include,
but are not limited to:
Paintings of all media,including both
portable and permanently affixed works such as frescoes and murals;
Sculpture of any form and in any material or combination of materials.This includes
statues,monuments,fountains,arches,or other structures intended for ornamentation
or commemoration;
Crafts and folk art works in clay,fiber,textiles,glass,wood,metal,mosaics,plastics,and
other materials;or
Site-integrated artwork created by landscape designers and artists which includes land-
scapes and earth-works,integration of natural and man made materials,and other
functional art pieces.Site-integrated works may include building features,gates,street
furniture,and paving materials.
This Strategic Plan establishes a new direction for the AIPP program,including proposed fund-
ing sources,site-integrated art,and public/private partnerships.
All of the concepts developed in this Strategic Plan help to implement the mission and vision
statements of the Vail AIPP Board:
Vision:Enrich our community through public exposure to the arts.
Mission:To develop artistic projects and programs that involve and educate the
community and enhance its vitality.
page 4
10th Mountain Division Memorial
Many public art programs throughout the country
have evolved from programs that place art sculptures
within a community to programs that weave public
art into the everyday experience of a community.
This evolution reflects the idea that artwork and
public landscape do not have to be separate ideas;
rather they can be developed as one integrated
concept.Site-integrated art can be as simple as:
Using creative or interesting materials and
patterns in the paving of sidewalks,
Creating unique and interesting benches,or
Re-design of a gate,fence,or playground equipment.
This type of public art creates lasting impressions on those who experience it and makes Vail
a distinctive town.
Site-integrated art is not limited to public projects.The opportunity exists to have private
landowners with proposed improvements adjacent to public spaces create unique and memo-
rable streetscape improvements,landmark features,or other opportunities to place art on
private property.
This Strategic Plan addresses consistent funding of AIPP programs through a new approach
for funding art in Vail called percent for art.This funding mechanism allows the Art In Public
Places program to establish a stable funding source by requiring the Town of Vail to dedicate a
percentage of its budget for public improvement projects to art.This will allow a dedicated
funding source for the purpose of redeveloping Vail’s public spaces and buildings with atten-
tion to uniqueness and creativity.
The following list of goals and objectives describe the guiding ideals for the AIPP Program and
the Town of Vail.These polices should be referred to when making decisions about program
direction and when pursuing public art projects throughout the Town.
Goal 1:Integrate the creative work of artists into public projects to thereby
improve the tourist’s experience and the economic vitality of the
Town through the enhancement of public spaces in general and the
pedestrian landscape in particular.
Objective 1.1:Provide site-integrated art within streetscape improvements on public
projects.
Objective 1.2:Identify logical locations and sites for landmark art features,large
monuments,fountains,and plazas within the Town.
Objective 1.3:Adopt a percent for art ordinance that requires a percentage of the
budget allocated to a public improvement project go directly to fund a
public art component.
Goal 2:Create a visually and functionally superior environment for Vail’s
residents and visitors.
page 5
Objective 2.1:Implement the site-integrated art program on public projects.
Objective 2.2:Continue to encourage the siting of public art pieces throughout the
Town of Vail on both public and private lands.
Objective 2.3:Encourage private property owners to include public art in the rede-
velopment of properties throughout the Town.
Objective 2.4:Seek public art projects that reference the recreational,international,
and unique character of the Town and region.
Goal 3:Reinforce Vail’s relationship to the natural alpine landscape.
Objective 3.1:Seek public art improvements that include natural landscape features
and elements found in the local area.
Objective 3.2:Provide site-integrated art to allow for the appreciation of the natural
landscape.
page 6
page 7
III. Opportunities for Public Art in Vail
This section describes the opportunities for
promoting public art in Vail including site-integrated
art,acquisition of public art,temporary public art,
and private development projects.
A.Site-Integrated Art
The aesthetic character of the built environment is
largely shaped by necessity.Increasingly however,
visionary planners,landowners,developers,archi-
tects,government agencies,tourism boards,and
community associations are recognizing and seizing
opportunities to enhance and redevelop the
aesthetic character of public places.Artistic
elements incorporated in the design of public
spaces gives the Town the opportunity to build whimsical
streetscapes while at the same time making the spaces func-
tional.
This Strategic Plan focuses the AIPP program on the creation of
these special environments otherwise known as "place-making."
This approach,consistent with national trends in public art,is
termed site-integrated public art,which is the creation of art
through common everyday public improvements.Site-integrated
art is the process of integrating creative and artful features into
such things as paving,sidewalks,public benches,lampposts,gates,
and landscape features.For example,instead of paving a sidewalk
with concrete,the Town might:
Vary the paving materials in terms of textures and colors
Vary pattern of pavers
Introduce designs in the pavement
Examples of Site Integrated Art
The following is a broad list of places and ideas for integrating
public art.This list emerged from site visits,feedback from the
local focus groups and meetings with town staff,the Design
Review Board,the Planning and Environmental Commission,and
the Town Council.The graphics in this section help to describe
the opportunities for creating public art.While some of the
photos are examples from other towns and cities throughout
the country,the types of art and quality of art shown in these
pictures could be incorporated into Vail’s built environment.
1.Paving
The 1991 Town of Vail Streetscape Master Plan recognizes and addresses the importance
of quality hardscape in Vail.This plan calls for a continuity of surfaces throughout town.
Exceptions to this standard paving are special areas designed to prevent monotony and
create accent.These accent areas are where creative designers can best contribute.The
Town continually upgrades and repaves sidewalks,plaza spaces,and streets throughout
the town.The introduction of artwork in the pavement,use of varied paving materials,
color and texture are simple ways to create a special feeling about our environment
without the vertical space commonly needed for art.Because the climate and snow
removal are so destructive to hardscape surfacing integrated art paving requires rigorous
material selection and thoughtful application.
Possible areas of focus:
The pedestrian connection between
Lionshead and Vail Village
Heated arrival points
Main core areas of the Town
Pedestrian exits of parking struc-
tures
Stair risers on parking structures
Major intersections
2.Walls and Fences
Retaining walls are common features in mountain towns.In addition,cast concrete walls
are very much a part of standard building practice.In Vail,many of these walls are faced
in stone making them more attractive and compatible with
the alpine character of the town.Another option for
treating walls is to introduce artistic methods such as
mosaic,creative painting,staining,sandblasting,murals,and
sculptural concrete.
Unique wall treatments offer another alternative for
enhancing the aesthetics of the town.Temporary
construction fences and barriers present opportunities for
the AIPP program to work with local school children or
artists to create playful designs and artwork on improvements that
are ordinarily sterile or industrial.
Possible areas of focus:
New and existing retaining walls,planter walls,site walls,
and foundation walls
Sound walls on I-70
page 8
Unique paving treatment can create interest and a sense of place.
Introduction of art in walls
Vail parking structure wall
Exterior walls on Village and Lionshead parking structures
Interior walls and entrances of parking structures
I-70 underpasses
Construction fencing and barriers
Building facades
3.Trails and Paths
One of the unique features of Vail is the exten-
sive area devoted to pedestrians.The Village
core,Lionshead,streamwalks,and the recre-
ation paths that run the length of town provide
opportunities for walking and bicycling.This
trail system is an asset;however,pedestrians
and cyclists are often unable to determine
where they are in relation to major landmarks
and destinations while on these trails.The
most consistent response from citizen feedback
is the need to link and enhance the trail system.
As trail markers,directional signage and pedes-
trian bridges are redeveloped;the Town has the
opportunity to add uniqueness and quality to
the experience of those using the trails.This can be done with trail markers etched in
stone or interesting paving patterns that provide the clear direction of travel and loca-
tions of primary destinations within the Town.
Possible sites and opportunities:
Pedestrian overpasses (existing and new)
Frontage road bicycle/pedestrian paths
Pedestrian ways to Town from parking structures
Town access routes to hiking and biking trails
Pedestrian routes between the Village and Lionshead
Recreation paths
Trails to Ford Park and the Amphitheater
Trail markers
Directional signage and maps
Directional paving patterns
page 9
Artistic fence/wall treatment
Pedestrian bridge opportunity for art
4.Seating
Seating plays an important role by
providing places for people to
pause,gather,rest and take in the
view.As seating areas are
created,the Town has the oppor-
tunity to
provide artistically inspired seat-
ing that is compatible with the
natural setting,unique,memo-
rable,and even whimsical.
Possible areas of focus:
Along major pedestrian corridors and activity
areas within the Lionshead and Vail Village core
areas
Public plazas
Bus stops
Pedestrian Bridges
Public parks
Along recreational paths and at trailheads
5.Bridges and Railings
As the town replaces or enhances bridges,artists and
designers can become involved by designing railings,
accents or even the entire bridge.
The artistic treatment of railings can extend beyond
bridges.Balcony rails,stair handrails and queuing rails
can all be enhanced through creative treatment.
Possible areas of focus:
Pedestrian bridge and skiers bridge in Lionshead
(VA property)
Pedestrian overpass on I-70
All pedestrian,trail,and skiers’ bridges
Stair and deck railings
page 10
Town of Vail existing seating
Vail’s pedestrian overpass
Fence rail developed into artistic form
Creative seating and paving designs
6.Utilities and Street Furnishings
Trash cans,newspaper dispensers,electric transformer boxes,air vents,and manhole
covers are all part of the Town of Vail’s infrastructure.These utilities are conceived of as
purely functional and their visual impact is often overlooked.Artists and designers can
help rethink and redesign streetscapes and utility facilities as they are replaced or
upgraded to help conceal or accentuate these elements.
Possible areas of focus:
Bus stops
Trash cans
Newspaper dispensers
Transformer and switching boxes
Parking structure air vents
Traffic control gates
Bike and ski racks
Ticket booths
Water intake and pumping facilities
Light poles and fixtures
Manhole covers
page 11
Existing Town bus stop History of the Gore Valley
Example of artistic air duct
Air vent in Vail
7.Recreation
Play is at the core of the Vail experience.Facilities for recreation should embody a playful
spirit.Pirate Ship Park is an excellent example of the playful spirit being introduced to a
park setting.Artists should participate in the design of new areas and play equipment,as
well as create elements to enhance existing facilities.
Possible areas and opportunities of focus:
All public parks and gathering places
Kayak area
Skateboard park
Civic Centers
Dobson Ice Arena
Play equipment
8.Landmarks and Portals
A landmark is a significant architectural element that visitors to Vail can identify and
remember.Landmarks signify important points of entry,turning points,and critical inter-
sections in the pedestrian network.Landmarks also identify destinations and serve as
visual reference points.Landmarks and portals are integral to an overall wayfinding
system.People tend to think of landmark features as buildings and structures,but they
can also include plazas,intersections,fountains,works of art,and unique natural features.
Site integrated art can help create
landmark features by creating unique spaces and building improvements that people are
able to easily identify and remember.
Possible sites and opportunities for landmark improvements:
Intersection of Vail Road and
Meadow Drive
Major entries to Lionshead pedes-
trian mall
Vista Bahn ski yard
Intersection of Willow Bridge Road
and East Meadow Drive
(Crossroad’s area)
Highway exits
Fountains,sculpture,and paving
page 12
Ptarmingan play sculpture – Ford Park
Covered Bridge – Vail Village
page 13
9.Information Sites and Facilities
Many visitors to Vail are here for the first time.
These newcomers need a way to orient them-
selves within the community.Wayfinding
requires more than good street signage.Subtle
cues,locator maps and significant landmarks are
all important indicators that help people learn
their way through a new town.Focus groups
and Town leaders have expressed a need to
enhance the sense of arrival and wayfinding in
Vail.Integrated art elements can be a part of an
effective and whimsical orientation program.
These elements range from sculptural sign hold-
ers and trail markers to artistic gateways and
monuments that become significant landmarks.
The Town has adopted and is implementing a wayfinding and signage program that will
greatly enhance the guest’s ability to navigate through the Town.Public art can augment
the signage system by creating memorable places and features that pedestrians can use to
remember where they have been and determine where they want to go.
Possible areas of focus and opportunities:
Highway exits
Landmarks on frontage roads
Important intersections
Portals to Vail Mountain
Parking structures
Information booths
Recreation paths
Trail markers
Signs and icons
Wayfinding maps
Pedestrian signage in the Village and
Lionshead
Parks
Round-a-bouts
Checkpoint Charlie information center
Lionshead Information Center
Unique Signage
page 14
B.Acquisition of Public Art
One of the opportunities for public art is the current program of acquiring art through
commissioning site-specific work,direct purchase,or donation of an art object.
A commissioned work of public art typically involves selecting an established artist to develop
a piece of artwork for an identified location or use.If site specific,the artwork must respond
to the program developed by the AIPP Board regarding the site’s functional context,its archi-
tecture,its location,its relationship to the adjacent terrain,and its social context.If a work is
commissioned for a specific use it must again meet the requirements set forth by the Board.
The Town may wish to consider the acquisition of a renowned piece of sculpture.In that
case,the artwork itself becomes the destination and an integrated element of an existing or
newly developed space.Therefore,the AIPP Board should be sensitive to the meaning and
effect of placing the work of art in a particular context,
location,and circumstance.
The Board,with the assistance of the AIPP Coordinator,
is entrusted to develop the criteria for commissioned
projects and to site other acquired works.The Board’s
administrative policies and selection and placement crite-
ria are further detailed in the AIPP Program Policies and
Guidelines.
Periodically the Town of Vail or the AIPP Program will be
offered donations of artwork.Donations are subject to
the same policies and criteria of the AIPP Program as any
other work of art being considered by the AIPP Board.
The AIPP Board has the discretion,subject to the
program policies,to accept or reject any work of art
offered to the Town for public art purposes.
Kaikoo III
Examples of Commissioned or Acquired Art:
C.Temporary Public Art
At present,fourteen exterior sites are available within Vail Village and Lionshead for the
temporary display of artwork.Each site was carefully selected for its visibility and access to
both visitors and residents of the Vail Valley.This program is designed to enrich the commu-
nity and provide exposure to artists working within the sculptural realm.
The selected artwork must exemplify commitment to quality and innovation.The Temporary
Art Program was designed to create a mutually beneficial partnership between the Town of
Vail and artists working both within and outside of the community.
Selected artists enter into a
standard lease agreement
with the Town of Vail for
each piece of artwork
proposed for a site.The
length of the lease may be
for six months or one year.
A two-percent sales
commission is collected for
any artwork sold.These
AIPP policies are further
detailed in the AIPP
Program Policies and
Guidelines.
page 15
Seibert Circle The Need to Know – Vail Library
Examples of Temporary Art:
D.Private Development Projects
Another opportunity for public art is the creation of partnerships with private landowners
and developers.As private development and redevelopment in Vail continues,there is the
potential for public art opportunities to evolve from a partnership between the AIPP Board
and private entities.Visual enhancements or works of art that may emerge from these devel-
opments may greatly contribute to our community’s aesthetic and pedestrian experience and
cultural awareness.When one considers the size and scale of the Town and its myriad of
offerings,the boundary between public and private spaces is really a conceptual distinction
not recognized by the typical observer.With this in mind,the Town and the AIPP Board
should encourage developers and property owners to enhance private development with
publicly viewed art in the form of site integration,landmark development,architectural
enhancement,sculpture,and other techniques described in this document.
The Town has adopted regulations in three zone districts that require a developer or
landowner seeking redevelopment to consider potential off-site impacts including streetscape
and art opportunities.The AIPP Board,working closely with citizens and the Community
Development Department,may explore expanding the responsibility for public art to other
commercial zone districts such as the Commercial Core 1 and Commercial Core 3 districts.
Additionally,the AIPP Board may pursue amending the Town’s regulations to provide a clear
understanding of potential public art responsibilities of large-scale development and redevel-
opment projects in Vail.
page 16
IV. Funding Mechanisms
This section describes the recommended funding mechanisms
necessary to fully implement this strategic plan.These mecha-
nisms include the adoption of a new and stable funding source
for public art known as percent for art.
A.Percent for Art
Requiring percent for art on public projects is not a new
concept in the United States.Cities,towns,and states around
the country have been implementing similar programs and ordi-
nances since the State of Hawaii,City of San Francisco,and other
communities pioneered the concept in the 1960’s.Cities such as
Austin,Texas,Greeley,Colorado,Denver,Colorado,and Seattle,
Washington are just a few of the hundreds of communities with
percent for art programs.
Public improvement projects,involving streetscapes,roads,pedes-
trian trails,public buildings,parks,and bridges,have major
impacts on the aesthetics and quality of our environment.
Therefore,these types of projects are targeted for the inclusion
of public art and in many cases site-integrated public art.The
public art enhancements of the project are funded by requiring
that a percentage of the total project budget be set aside for
artistic improvements.
Many communities require 1% to 2% of the total budget to fund
the art components of a public project.Some communities limit
application of the percent for art program to projects with budg-
ets over a set amount and cap the amount available for a specific
project.All percent for art ordinances include criteria for deter-
mining which public projects are appropriate for inclusion in the
program.These criteria are generally based on the visibility of
the improvements.For example,utility projects that are
completely underground may be excluded.The funds are usually
utilized directly within the specific project;however,some
programs include provisions for reserving or pooling the funds
of several projects to fund another priority public art project.
The AIPP Program has never enjoyed a stable and reliable fund-
ing source for public art installations or the administration of the
program.Without a stable funding source like percent for art
the program is less effective in supporting the Town’s image as a
world-class resort and community.
page 17
Exuberance Village Parking Structure
B.Direct Town Funding
The Town Council has provided funding to cover the costs of the administration of the AIPP
Program and the AIPP coordinator position within the Public Works Department budget.
Additionally,the Town Council has directly funded several public art projects.Generally,the
AIPP Board must request this funding as a supplemental appropriation as public art projects
to-date have rarely been considered in the overall budget process for the Town.This process
makes it difficult for the AIPP Board to plan for new projects and tends to be an unstable
method of funding public art projects.
C.Temporary Donations of Art
A temporary donation of artwork is another area
that has been explored and implemented successfully
in the past.The temporary donation of art allows
the community to take advantage of artwork it may
not otherwise be able to afford to commission.It
also allows for a variety of art pieces to be displayed
over the course of a year or a season.The tempo-
rary art program is regulated by the program
guidelines and policies adopted by the AIPP Board.
D.Donation and Gifts
Donations and gifts have helped fund or provide for
public art in the Town.The acceptance of donations
and gifts is further regulated by the program guide-
lines and policies adopted by the AIPP Board.This
program will remain a source of funding and acquisi-
tion.
E.Fund Raising and Grants
Fund raising and grants may be other sources of funding for public art projects in the Town of
Vail.For fund raising to be truly effective there would need to be a commitment of staff and
financial resources.Efforts to have the community participate financially in the promotion of
art may be a means of funding art.
F.Real Estate Transfer Tax
Another opportunity to fund public art is the Real Estate Transfer Tax.The stated purpose of
these funds is to acquire,improve,maintain,and repair real property for parks,recreation,and
open space.The funds may also be used for construction,maintenance,or repair of park and
recreation buildings and construction,maintenance and landscaping recreation paths.Public
art,as long as completed in conjunction with these stated purposes,may be funded utilizing
RETT funds.For example artful paving materials can be utilized in the construction of a
recreation path,artistic elements incorporated into site furnishings,and play equipment
custom designed for its setting.RETT funds may be the source of the percent for art funds
on a park or trail related development or redevelopment project.
page 18
Terra Haute – Mayor’s Park
V. Implementation Activities
This section describes the recommended activities to fully imple-
ment this Strategic Plan.These activities include creating a
program to ensure the inclusion of site-integrated art in public
projects,adopting a percent for art program,and working with
the private sector.
A.Town of Vail Site-Integrated Art Program
To ensure that site-integrated art is included in Town of Vail proj-
ects,the AIPP Board will develop criteria to identify capital
improvement projects that are appropriate for AIPP involvement.
These criteria will be presented to the Town Council for its
approval and will become the basis for the program.
The AIPP Board will annually review the list of capital improve-
ment projects and recommend which projects meet the program
criteria.The AIPP Board will partner with the Community
Development Department and Public Works Department to
incorporate site-integrated art and thus provide funds in the
overall budget for artimprovements on these projects.
B.Town of Vail Percent for Art Program
In order to provide a stable funding source for including art in
Town of Vail projects,the AIPP Board will create a percent for
art program.The first step will be to review percent for art
programs currently in place in other communities.From this
research,the Board will develop a proposed percent for art
program for the Town.The program will address the type of
projects to be included,the percent for art allocated,basis for
funding allocation,and an appropriate administrative process.
The proposed percent for art program will be presented to the
Town Council for its review and approval.Upon approval by the
Town Council,a Town of Vail Percent for Art ordinance will be
drafted which will clearly state the purpose,process,require-
ments,and funding of the program.
C.Public and Private Partnerships
The Town has adopted regulations in three zone districts that
require a developer or landowner seeking redevelopment to
consider potential off-site impacts including streetscape and art
opportunities.It is the responsibility of the Community
Development Department,and other Town agencies,to review
and consider the impacts produced by these development and
redevelopment projects.The Community Development
page 19
Seibert Circle Construction
page 20
Department should help to inform developers and landowners of their potential obligations
to streetscape and public art improvements as properties are developed or redeveloped.
Additionally,the AIPP Coordinator should continue to be informed of such applications to the
Town and be afforded an opportunity to provide input on relevant issues with respect to
streetscape and public art opportunities.
Another option in the area of coordination that could help to improve the development
review process would be to have a representative from the AIPP Board attend meetings
involving private projects where public art may be required.This action would help with the
communication between the AIPP,the PEC or DRB,and the applicant.
A formal administrative process for such AIPP involvement should be developed by the Town
to allow for formal AIPP review using adopted guidelines.Further,the AIPP may seek to
amend Town regulations,design guidelines,and other commercial zone districts through the
ordinance approval process to clarify and encourage public art on certain types of private
projects.
VI. Relationship of Strategic Plan
to Town Planning Documents
The provision of public art and community aesthetics has always
been one of the cornerstones of Vail’s development.This is
evidenced in many of the physical improvements as well as
through many of the Town’s land use planning documents.The
following sections document the relevance of this planning docu-
ment to others adopted and utilized by the Town.
A.Vail Village Master Plan
The Vail Village Master Plan provides stated goals about how Vail
should develop to enhance the pedestrian experience and
strengthen the experience of the tourist.These stated goals
match many of those goals being established by the AIPP
Strategic Plan.Public art is an element of the landscape that can
assist the Vail Village in the achievement of goals by making the
village experience both unique and rich.The following excerpts
from the Vail Village Master Plan mirror the AIPP Program goals.
"As the physical development of the original Village began to
take place in the early 1960’s,so too did its unique charac-
ter.The free form layout of the streets and the human scale
expressed by many of its earliest buildings began to estab-
lish a pleasant pedestrian environment.As the Town grew,
the development of numerous outdoor dining decks and
public plazas served to strengthen the pedestrian experi-
ence.More than anything else,it was the emphasis on the
pedestrian that contributed to the unique character and
charm of Vail Village."
The existing Vail Village Master Plan addresses the current situa-
tion - it’s inconsistencies as well as its promise.That Plan
provides six goals as a framework for guiding public improve-
ments as well as private sector development for the entire Vail
Village area.The six goals are:
Encourage high quality redevelopment while preserving
the unique architectural scale of the village in order to
sustain its sense of community and identity.
To foster a strong tourist industry and promote year-
around economic health and viability for the Village and
for the community as a whole.
To recognize as a top priority the enhancement of the
walking experience throughout the Village.
To preserve existing open space areas and expand green
space opportunities.
page 21
page 22
Increase and improve the capacity,efficiency,and aesthetics of the transportation and
circulation system throughout the Village.
To ensure the continued improvement of the vital operational elements of the Village.
B.Lionshead Redevelopment Master Plan
The Lionshead Redevelopment Master Plan recognizes the need for the integration of art
into public spaces.This plan contains the following statement in Chapter 6:Site Design
Guidelines:
An objective of the community is to enhance the beauty of our environment by incorporating
quality visual art in highly accessible and visible places,both privately and publicly owned,for
the enjoyment of residents and guests.The master plan encourages art installations as
permanent elements integral to the design of exterior spaces,architectural components,site
furnishings,and paving.Artistic site furnishings and accessories could include,but are not
limited to,benches,railings,bike racks,ski racks,signage,trash receptacles,lighting and utilities.
Art is particularly effective in activity areas,at entrances,at the intersections of pedestrian
corridors,and where views terminate.Art that is interesting and specific to the regional
context of the valley is encouraged.Interactive artwork that can be enjoyed by both children
and adults,such as found in the Boulder pedestrian retail mall,is highly encouraged.Artwork
accessible to the public must be constructed of durable materials and be easy to maintain.
C.Streetscape Master Plan
An integrated approach to public art is also most in keeping with the 1991 Town of Vail
Streetscape Master Plan.The Streetscape Master Plan emphasizes the importance of crafts-
manship and creative design and cites the importance of public art as part of the pedestrian
experience.The concept of site-integrated art is already a concept endorsed by the Town as
the Streetscape Master Plan states:
"Public art should not be limited to free-standing sculpture.Art can and should be incorpo-
rated into the design of common streetscape elements such as a bench,a planter wall,(or)
tree grate."
The section of the streetscape plan that outlines site furnishings also advocates an artistic
approach.The plan states that site furnishings (manhole covers,benches,light fixtures,and
trashcans) offer another opportunity for the introduction of public art,that this approach
could be adapted for Vail and the result would be a fun,novel design that would enhance the
streetscape.
The Streetscape Master Plan also calls out specific locations for art.The Plan earmarked
three plaza and feature sites in the East Village,and a new site in the village core at Willow
Bridge and Gore Creek Drive.Moving west,the streetscape plan marks five art locations
along East and West Meadow Drive as well as a final location on East Lionshead Circle.These
sites should not simply be thought of as places to put a sculpture.All have the potential to
become fully integrated works of art if undertaken as a part of the redesign and construction
of the streetscape.
VII. Strategic Plan Adoption Process
This section describes the formal Town of Vail review process
utilized to obtain approval of this document.The section also
describes the process by which this document may be amended
in the future.
A.Public and Professional Input
In 1998 the AIPP Board hired the firms of Artscapes,LLC and
Public Art Advisory Services to initiate the strategic planning
process,drafting portions of the strategic plan,and conduct
interviews and public workshops in order to introduce the
concept of site-integrated public art and understand how the
community viewed public art.Community leaders,arts activists,
residents,civic leaders,and planning professionals all participated
as focus groups in these workshops so that varied opinions and
views could be solicited.The consultants also conducted work-
sessions with the Town’s Design Review Board,Planning and
Environmental Commission,and Town staff to help understand
the perspectives of these groups.Ultimately,Braun Associates,
Inc.was hired to work with the AIPP Strategic Plan Taskforce to
bring all of this input and work together in this strategic-planning
document.
B.Adoption
The formal Town review process utilized for the review and
adoption of this strategic plan was as follows:
Review and recommendation by AIPP Board to the Town
Council
Review by the Planning and Environmental Commission
and the Design Review Board
Review and adoption by resolution by the Town Council
C.Amendments to the Plan
Town Council may adopt amendments to the plan by resolution
upon a recommendation from the AIPP Board.
page 23
Is Anyone Listening – Lionshead Parking Structure
page 24
VIII. AIPP Art Collection
ArtworkInventory
Blue Bird of ParadiseWest End of Lionshead
Michael Anderson
Painted steel,1990
Children’s FountainVail Village
Dennis Smith
Bronze,1986
History of the Gore ValleyBus Stop Base of Vail Parking Structure
Children of the Gore Valley
Ceramic tile,1985
ExuberanceParking Structure Steps
Dan Dailey
Glass Block,1993
The Need to KnowBehind Library
Hollis Williford
Bronze,1984
Clip ManEast Entry,Lionshead Parking Structure
Don Wilson
Neon,1991
Kaikoo IIINear Library
Betty Gold
Donation by David and Micki Chatkin
Painted Steel,1990
The LiftLionshead
Susan Grant Raymond
Bronze,1985
Rocky Mountain MajestyLionshead,Sundial Plaza
Stephen LeBlanc
Bronze,1990
page 25
Is Anyone ListeningFront of Lionshead Parking Structure
Donald Mitchell
Painted steel,1992
Terre HauteMayors Park
Brian Hunt
Donated by Chuck Rosenquist and Family
Bronze,1993
The 10th Mountain Division MemorialSlifer Plaza
Scott Stearman & Victor Issa
Donated by Dured E.Townsend Memorial Fund
Bronze,1998
Granite AmphitheaterSeibert Circle
Jesus Bautista Moroles
Granite,1998
Spirit of the SkierGold Peak
Michael Meszaros
Gift from Sister Resort Mt.Buller Australia
Bronze,1998
Check Point CharlieVail Village,Checkpoint Charlie
Margarette Johannes
Acrylic on wood,1998
Fishing Pole and tin can for Vail Public Works Building,Elkhorn Drive
Claes Oldenburg.
Donated by Chuck Rosenquist
Mixed media,1982
PtarmigansFord Park Playground
Robert Tulley
Granite,2000