Charge

The Committee will:

  • Advise the president on matters concerning public art.
  • Develop and recommend to the president a brief statement of vision and principles to guide development of planning for public art and review of public art proposals and installations.
  • Recommend a strategic approach to the development of the public art environment on campus, consistent with the statements on this site and with such principles and guides as are developed by the committee and adopted by the president on behalf of the University. Such a strategic approach might include:
    • Review of the current collection of public art on campus in terms of its diversity, as a means to informing future acquisitions.
    • Periodic review and update of the potential sites for public art identified in the campus master plan.
  • As a first stage in implementation of the initial strategic plan, identify a small set of high-priority sites for new installations over the next several years, and a small set of preferred artists whose work might be sought or commissioned for those sites.
  • Review models for long-term funding of the envisioned public art program at the U-M, and make recommendations to the president concerning possible means for ongoing, institutional support of public art, including acquisition, installation and maintenance. These recommendations should take into consideration:
    • Maintenance of the current base of installed public art.
    • Future periodic installation of new public art recommended by the committee, with inclusion of a maintenance plan.
    • Multiple possible sources of funding and support, including University funds, unit funds, and gifts and other forms of external support.
  • Review Proposed gifts of public art and proposed installations of public art, in coordination with the University Planner and other relevant offices and committees, and make recommendations to the president.
  • Advocate for public art and the University’s public art program and assist in the cultivation of resources for public art.
  • Coordinate its efforts and reviews with the appropriate University units, offices, and committees, including but not necessarily limited to the Exterior Elements Design Review Committee and the History and Traditions Committee. In addition, the committee should be available when asked to lend input and advice on aesthetic matters that fall outside of the scope of its charge. To facilitate coordination, the chair of the Advisory Committee on Public Art will be an ex officio member of the Exterior Elements Design Review Committee, and the University Planner will be an ex officio member of the Advisory Committee on Public Art.
  • The University Planner’s Office will provide technical support for the Committee. Other staffing for the committee will be supported by the Office of the President.