Public art plan wraps consultation

By Aly Beach/The Oshawa Express

A new plan set to guide future decision making around public art displays across the City of Oshawa is making big steps toward completion.

The Public Art Master Plan, approved in 2015, is connected to the Culture Counts initiative and aims to set a framework for the administration, selection and maintenance of public art. Its goal is to transform public spaces in Oshawa.

“Having art outside of a building is very important because the art is meeting the people where they are…It just makes the landscape more interesting and more vibrant,” says Linda Jansma, Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG) art curator and public art task force member.

Public art is any work that is displayed in a public space owned or leased by the City of Oshawa and can be seen by the general public. It can be anything from sculptures, street art, interactive or community art projects. Examples include the mural outside of city hall created by Durham College students or Upstart II, the aluminum sculpture that sits outside of the RMG.

“Public art… can serve different functions. So, it can have a message. It can also serve as a meeting place…It’s a great way to mark a city,” says Jansma.

Public art can be acquired through purchase, commission, donation, loan or partnership. The art will become part of Oshawa’s public art inventory. The city may also put out a call to artists or art collectives to acquire more pieces.

In 2017, the Public Art Task Force was created and helps support city staff in decisions related to public art. They help with the development of new projects, advise on new art, review donations and make recommendations in art competitions. The task force is made up of community members and representatives in the arts community in Oshawa.

The Public Art Master Plan recently wrapped up a second phase of consultation which was focused on community connections.  A series of public art cafes and pop-ups were launched to get the public involved in the decision making process. Attendees were able to give their opinions on where and what public art should be displayed in Oshawa.

According to Catherine Richards, manager of culture and central recreation services for the city, they have been able to have some “really fantastic conversations.”  Jansma agrees and says the reception has been positive.

“It’s testing the waters. What do people see as public art? Where do they want to see it? Are they willing to support it?” says Jansma. 

Phase three of the project will involve compiling and analyzing the data received from the online survey, and cafes.

The report will be presented to the Community Services Committee in June, according to Richards.