http://youtu.be/MzLCGFO2fgY
New Mexico has a law which requires art to be part of any new public construction over $100,000, including renovations. Recently, Spaceport America was awarded $200,000 for artwork through the New Mexico art in public places program. The funding went to an out of state sculptor for a single piece of art. Many say the money should have been split up for multiple pieces. But as Samantha Sonner discovered, the office administering the program almost never issues awards for more than one piece of art for each project.
After the sculpture “Genesis” was placed at the entrance of Spaceport America, many in Las Cruces questioned why $200,000 was spent on a single piece of art.
“They should have spent it on a few more pieces of art, instead of just one central piece,” Jacqueline de Butler said. “Yeah, Very ridiculous.”
“I think it should have been spread around a lot more,” Annette Janecka said.
“Multiple pieces would have been better, than just one item,” Andrea Orona said.
“There’s room for improving to kind of spread the variations of the art that is displayed,” Braden Tidwell. “So, that money can be used for a variety of types of art, especially from our community.”
The art in public places program requires one percent of the cost of a new building or renovation be spent on art….up to $200,000 for each project. Spaceport America received the largest possible amount, and Michelle Laflamme- Childs, project coordinator for the New Mexico art in public places program, says that money is usually not split up for multiple projects.
“If you broke it up into five $40,000 projects those are small pieces at that point,” La Flamme- Childs said. “$40,000 does not buy very much in a large outdoor, sculptural piece. And for a building like the Spaceport or a facility like the Spaceport, ideally you want a large beautiful piece that stands out and makes a bold statement.”
Kathleen Albers, Executive Director for the Dona Ana Arts Council, says a large piece of sculpture does cost around $200,000. But, the decision for large pieces or small pieces should be based on the building itself.
“It really depends on the building, what the building can handle, and the places that it’s going to be seen the most to have the best impact. And again, if it’s a piece of large sculpture that’s going to be really outstanding and the public’s going to be able to see it. Or, it impacts the people coming in or it impacts the vision of what that building is then I can see doing that. But, it just really depends on the building.”
But the administration of the program is typically consistent, one piece of art for each project. Michelle Laflamme- Childs says it is rare to split up the funds. She says even with one project the meetings to decide on a commission take a lot of time.
“It takes a lot of time out of these committee’s days on the days we do try to get together. Like the finalist presentation meeting is an 8-hour meeting. And so to get people of this level, these architects, and people who represent the owner agencies and the user agencies together for that amount of time is very difficult, so to have people working on multiple projects is virtually impossible to get them together enough to get these kinds of projects done concurrently.”
State Senator Mary Kay Papen says splitting the award should be discussed, especially if it could provide more work for New Mexico artists.
“I think time, if it’s important then we need to devote the time to doing what needs to be done.”
Papen also says additional funding could help reduce the work and allow the committees to meet more often.
“I think probably part of it is maybe the expense of trying to get people together, and what have you. But, do I object to doing that no I don’t. And should we maybe try to find some more money for art in public places, you know to increase that budget.”
Four state employees are employed in the office that administers the art in public places program. But the committees in charge of commissioning the art projects are made up of volunteers. And unless a change is made it appears the program will continue to typically make one award for each construction or renovation.
