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Capital Program Office:
capital.program@spl.org
1000 Fourth Ave.
Seattle, WA 98104
206-386-4624

Memorandum of Understanding
Seattle Public Library – Seattle Arts Commission
Regarding the
1% for Art Component of the Libraries For All Capital Program

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The Libraries For All (LFA) Capital Improvement Program represents a unique opportunity for the inclusion of art in the design, construction and renovation of new libraries, as well as in the new public spaces which these facilities will create for the Seattle community. The Library Board and the Seattle Arts Commission hold high expectations regarding the inclusion and integration of art into the capital program, and both public entities affirm their commitment to create art selection processes that provide for high levels of public involvement. To this end, the Seattle Public Library Board of Trustees and the Seattle Arts Commission enter into this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that describes how these two public agencies will work together to incorporate art within the LFA program.

Both parties agree to implement a public art program that captures the spirit and intent of the City’s "1% for Art" ordinance, though it is acknowledged that this ordinance will serve as a guide but not the exclusive determiner of how the program should be administered. To implement this program, the Library Board has set a goal of allocating and expending an amount equal to 1% of total eligible costs for each eligible project. See Attachment A for the list of projects and proposed completion dates. In general, eligible costs include permits, construction management, taxes on construction, construction and construction contingencies, architecture and engineering fees, and demolition. Both agencies also acknowledge that the current LFA art budget is about $1.5 million and that the source of funds for this budget will come from city-issued bond appropriations and appropriations from the City’s Cumulative Reserve Subfund. To the extent that these appropriations fall short of the projected art budget, the Library Foundation has established a $30 million capital needs fund raising goal of which $2 million is targeted for art and furniture for all facilities. Even if only a portion of this fund-raising goal is achieved, the art budget will meet and more than likely exceed the 1% goal established in this MOU. See Attachment B for details on how the budget was calculated.

In the event that the budgeted amount in a given project budget is too small to make an allocation to a specific library project impractical, then consideration will be given to supplementing that project’s art with donated funds, placing art currently in the Library’s possession and/or including artistic elements within the basic design.

The LFA art program objectives are as follows:

• Acquire large and small artworks to include in the Central and neighborhood branch libraries so that artist-designed building parts, integrated, and independent artworks are part of the experience of using the libraries;

• Provide a wide range of visual art experiences – emphatic or awe-inspiring, quiet and contemplative, subtle and textural – through art acquisitions and display opportunities;

• Provide art that can be appreciated by a wide audience, that can capture interest and appeal to people of different ages, cultures, and levels of knowledge of art;

• Provide additional art experiences to library users through the exhibition in libraries of SPL’s existing art collection.

• Manage the art program in the most efficient way possible.

More specific options regarding the different type of possibilities for art for the LFA program are described in Attachment C.

In order to carry out these objectives, The Seattle Public Library will enter into an interdepartmental agreement to procure SAC services to manage the development of project scopes, artist selection processes, contract monitoring and development of long-term maintenance plans. See Attachment D for details on staffing and on the use of SAC expertise for program assistance.

Central Library Art Planning: SAC and LFA staff will work to formulate an art plan and procedures to cover the purchase, placement and scope of art to incorporate into the new Central Library. The planning process will include opportunities for input from the project architect, as well as from other interested individuals and organizations. The final plan will be subject to approval by the Library Board. However, staff may be called upon by the Library Board and/or the Seattle Arts Commission to provide program updates, reviews and recommendations concerning the art plan and its implementation.

Branch Libraries Art Planning: SAC and LFA staffs will work together to formulate art plans and procedures for all the branch library projects and for those projects funded through the Opportunity Fund which would be eligible for art through the 1% for Art program. Recognizing that small scale of some of the branch projects, the art plans could include separate plans for some of the larger projects or a combined plan for groups of similar or related projects. The planning process will include opportunities for input from the project architect, as well as from other interested individuals and organizations in the various communities. The final plan will be subject to approval by the Library Board. However, staff may be called upon by the Library Board and/or the Seattle Arts Commission to provide program updates, reviews and recommendations concerning the art plan and its implementation.

The Seattle Public Library Board of Trustees and the Seattle Arts Commission look forward to a cooperative, beneficial working relationship throughout the design and implementation of the Libraries For All Program.

Date:

Attachment: LFA Budget by Major Category  

Content modified: 3 August 1999

12/30/2005

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