Calgary is developing a new approach to public art that it says will help local artists secure more contracts.
The proposal, yet to be approved by city council, would loosen restrictions around funding collected from major infrastructure projects so it could be directed to smaller public art installations around the city.
Calgary put a freeze on its public art program in 2017 amid controversy over major art installations near highway infrastructure projects and contracted out public art commissioning to the Calgary Arts Development Authority.
Chima Nkemdirim, chair of the authority, says the proposal would mean more smaller projects by local artists could be undertaken in the community "where the public can appreciate it, as opposed to in locations which perhaps weren't suited for public art."
Council allocated $12 million in last November's capital budget for public art over the next four years.
Source: Calgary Herald
