REPORT TO ARTS COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Review and Recommendation of Public Art for Corn Palace Park
Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
Subject to Council Policy 6.4.4 (Art in Public Places), the Corn Palace Park project (# 834330) includes a 1% budget provision for public art ($43,000). This report provides information on the three conceptual design proposals for a seating wall and seven conceptual design proposals for three free-standing backless benches. The Arts Commission will review and rank each set of proposals (three seating wall proposals and seven bench proposals). The Commission's recommendations will be forwarded to City Council on July 29, 2025, for consideration and final approval. There is no staff recommendation for this project.??
BACKGROUND
The Corn Palace property (1142 Dhalia Court) was originally a 20-acre parcel of agricultural land located west of Lawrence Expressway. It was known for its working cornfield and fresh produce stand. In 2013, the western portion of the property was developed into single-family homes, while a 2-acre parcel of the land was approved for a public park at the southeast corner of Toyon Avenue and Lily Avenue, extending to Lawrence Expressway. This parcel was acquired by the City in March 2020, and construction of the park is scheduled to be completed in late June.
Park amenities include open lawn space, trees, toddler and youth play areas, pollinator garden, shade structure, picnic areas, and public art.?
Subject to Council Policy 6.4.4 (Art in Public Places), the project will incorporate 1% of construction costs for public art, totaling $43,000. In November 2024, a request for qualifications (RFQ) was distributed through public art websites, artist networks, and the City's website, inviting artists residing in California to apply for four locations: one plaza seating wall and three backless benches (Attachment 2). A total of 17 artists applied for the seating wall location, and 15 artists applied for the backless be...
Click here for full text