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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-02-2021; 4-b - Presentation Regarding The Beacon (An Upcoming Countywide Public Art Festival) 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 2, 2021 Action Agenda Item No. 4-b SUBJECT: Presentation Regarding The Beacon (An Upcoming Countywide Public Art Festival) DEPARTMENT: Orange County Arts Commission ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Katie Murray, 919-245-2335 PURPOSE: To receive a presentation on The Beacon Public Art Festival, scheduled to occur in the downtown communities of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough July 15 through August 15, 2022. BACKGROUND: The Beacon is a new, biennial, large-scale arts festival to be presented in partnership with fourteen community organizations. Its purpose is three-fold: • To showcase high-quality, three-dimensional art in accessible locations throughout the downtowns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough while financially supporting the participating artists. • To generate foot traffic, visitation, and patronage throughout our downtown communities following the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and during a traditionally low- traffic time of year, while showcasing our community hospitality. • To provide the public with an accessible, barrier-free activity that encourages interaction with art, where they are directly responsible for selecting a winner. Event partners include: • Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC): Lead planning agency • Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership: Funding/marketing partner • Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau: Funding/marketing partner • Greater Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce: Funding/marketing partner • Hillsborough Arts Council: Community Partner • Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce: Marketing partner • Orange County Department of Economic Development: Funding partner • Town of Carrboro (Tourism Bureau and Town Arts Committee): Funding/marketing partner • Town of Chapel Hill (Department of Community Arts and Culture and Town Arts Commission): Funding/planning partner • Town of Hillsborough (Tourism Board, Public Spaces Manager): Funding/planning partner • UNC-Chapel Hill (UNC Arts Everywhere): Community Partner 2 Art on the Hill is inspired by similar events including Art Prize in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Art Fields in Lake City, South Carolina. However, several factors will make Art on the Hill unique to Orange County and the only event of its kind in North Carolina. Like the events inspiring Art on the Hill, the festival will be an economic boon for our communities and bring attention to Orange County through a showcase of large-scale, fascinating works of public art. Further, our festival will prioritize the support of participating artists, creating an environment where artists are compensated and made to feel celebrated. Artists will apply to participate and be juried by a panel of professional visual artists. Accepted artists will be provided compensation to support their travel costs. In addition, artists will be housed with partner hotels, making the experience as affordable and welcoming as possible. During the event, the public will seek out the locations of the installations, voting on their favorite pieces through an online portal. The piece with the most votes will receive a People's Choice Award. A professional jury panel will also evaluate entries and award prizes. The prize for the People's Choice Award and juror's 1st place award be the same amount, prioritizing the input of the public. Jury members include Larry Wheeler, retired director of the NC Museum of Art, and Stacey Kirby, Art Prize 2016 First Place Winner. FINANCIAL IMPACT: A primary purpose of The Beacon is to generate local spending. Visitors will dine in local restaurants, shop, and pay for parking and other services while participating in the festival throughout the month. Further, the festival will attract visitors during a historically slow time of year. The goal of The Beacon is to become a major destination similar to the festivals in which its modeled after. As the event grows, it has the potential to draw thousands of visitors from around the region. Understanding the potential of the festival, county departments including the OCAC, Orange County Visitors Bureau, and Economic Development are each contributing $5,000 in seed funding for the first year of the event, in addition to $16,000 in contributions by other community partners. Grants are being solicited from national and local foundations and sponsors. The event is for the benefit of the community and not intended as a fundraiser. Net revenue will be used as seed funding for the 2024 festival. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to this item: • GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND INEQUITY The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color; religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic status. • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. • GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impact associated with this item. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the presentation and provide any comments or questions.