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431 Prater Way Sparks, NV United States
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Sparks City Council Meeting 4/26/2021 2:00:00 PM
Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/95424500340Meeting Dial-in #: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 954 2450 0340
General Business: 9.4
A Business Impact Statement is not required because this is not a rule.
Staff requests direction to apply for funding to commission artwork for Victorian Square as described in the "Together, We See Sparks" Creative Placemaking Plan for Victorian Square. The grant program requires an equal match by the City, funding for which is anticipated to be available in FY23 from funding designated for art from the Sparks Tourism Facility and Revitalization Steering Committee fund.
Background:
On March 24, 2021, the Sparks Tourism Facility and Revitalization Steering Committee directed $150,000 to be spent on a commissioned piece of art as directed by the Victorian Square Creative Placemaking Plan and the Victorian Square Redevelopment Master Plan. Staff would like to apply for a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Grant in July 2021 using all or a large portion of these funds for the NEA required 50:50 match.
According to the grant description, NEA project grants focus on “supporting contemporary artists and the projects they undertake, such as exhibitions, residencies, publications, commissions, public art works, conservation, documentation, services to the field, and public programs. The National Endowment for the Arts is committed to encouraging individual artistic development, experimentation, and dialogue between artists and the public.”
If awarded, the NEA grant would fund a public input activity and campaign, which is an essential part of the creative placemaking and public art process. These activities are not covered by lodging taxes, which are restricted to hard costs of improvement projects.
Analysis:
If awarded, the grant could match up to the $150,000 allocated by the Sparks Tourism Facility and Revitalization Steering Committee. If awarded, the City would begin public input, design, and development after June 1, 2022, as the grant would stipulate.
Funding for the $150,000 match will be budgeted in the Victorian Square Room Tax Fund 1415 for FY23.
Alternatives:
1. City Council may direct staff to apply for a National Endowment for the Arts Grant for up to $150,000.00 to be spent on an original, commissioned piece of art for Victorian Square.
2. City Council may decline to direct staff to apply for funds through the National Endowment for the Arts Grant Program. This alternative will result in 100% of the project cost being limited to the amount of $150,000 allocated from the Sparks Tourism Facility and Revitalization Steering Committee, and funding for public input would need to come from another source.
Recommended Motion:
I move to direct staff to apply for a National Endowment for the Arts Grant for up to $150,000.00 to be spent on an original, commissioned piece of art for Victorian Square.
