Pittsburgh's 1st public art manager begins soon - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review If Pittsburgh wants to attract more young people -- and convince them to stay here -- the city must become more attractive, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said.Welcome to town Kim. Now, if you please, duck.
Enter Kim Baker, 30, formerly of Seattle. The new Lawrenceville resident starts Aug. 20 as Pittsburgh's first-ever public art manager.
I do not agree with the concepts stated in the quote above by Luke Ravenstahl.
First, it begins with a big "if." If Pittsburgh wants to attract more people. So, Pittsburgh might not give a flying "IF" to attract immigrants.
Then there is the whole 'young people' focus. Should Pittsburgh put the 'young people' as a priority? Do the young people follow the trends? Are the young people flocking to the South Side in the nights and weekends and being a negative for the city's image -- as we heard early this week from consultants with the SSLDC.
The city "MUST" be more attractive. Wait. Didn't the city already clean up its smoky city image. Isn't the city blessed with one of the most attractive views anywhere in North America?
Are looks that important? Isn't it superficial to only want to be pretty -- attractive -- as flash that is only skin deep and nothing else.
What about Pittsburgh's personality, moxie, attitude, smarts, and fitness? Are those all meaningless to Luke.
And then there is the part about an 'investment into the city.' Really, this is an expense. This is a salary.
We NEED public art. Humm. Don't we already have public art? Do we want to be dynamic, or attractive?
Do we 'want' public art -- or do we 'need' public art.
I don't think Luke has a good grip upon what we 'want' and what we 'need.' The two are not the same.
The Heinz Endowments are going to pay for the $52k salary. But, she will be an employee. Pension, healthcare, overhead -- who's counting.
Great art draws people to the cities, so they think. Sigh.
Here is a clincher of a quote. She must have used this line in the interview to get hired: "I like public art, in particular, because access is available to everyone." (get out)
We've got a real, how do you say, 'hum dinger' there.
Did you know that Pittsburgh has this thingie -- but enforcement has been a problem. It hasn't been enforced for years. E-N-F-O-R-C-E-M-E-N-T
Enforcement in Pittsburgh is a joke. What is to be enforced is often a giggle.
But a new dawn is about to break. She hopes that in three to five years the city will commission artists to produce.
Public relations talk about three to five years might as well be talk of 30 to 50 years. The public treasury will still be in litigation with the the former executive from PAT who is seeking his back pension three years from now.
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Pittsburgh's 1st public art manager begins soon
By Mike Cronin
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, August 9, 2007
If Pittsburgh wants to attract more young people -- and convince them to stay here -- the city must become more attractive, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said.
Enter Kim Baker, 30, formerly of Seattle. The new Lawrenceville resident starts Aug. 20 as Pittsburgh's first-ever public art manager.
"This is an investment in the city of Pittsburgh," Ravenstahl said. "We need public art in the places where we live, work and play. Any dynamic city has public art."
Baker will be responsible for maintaining, repairing and expanding the city's collection of 100 or so pieces of art. She will evaluate and determine which pieces are "a good fit" and which are not. She plans to develop a policy for those who'd like to donate art to the city.
The Heinz Endowments will pay Baker's $52,000 annual salary, but she will be a city employee in the Planning Department.
"Great cities have great art. It is what draws people to cities; it's a quality of life issue" said Baker, who worked in Seattle's Office of Art and Cultural Affairs for seven years, most recently as a public art project manager. "I like public art, in particular, because access is available to everyone."
Another argument for public art is economic, said Sandra Duncan, public art program manager in Nashville.
"Our Chamber of Commerce toured comparable cities to research their art collections," Duncan said. "The richness of a city is reflected through art. It's good for business. It enlivens the city. It sends out a message of goodwill and spirit to residents and visitors."
Pittsburgh has a public-art funding ordinance. But it hasn't been enforced for years, Baker and Ravenstahl said. The ordinance mandates that 1 percent of the cost of public building construction or renovation projects of more than $50,000 go toward funding public art.
Baker said she plans to review the ordinance. She hopes within three to five years, the city will commission artists to produce pieces for public spaces.
"It's going to be a challenge, but it's going to be the kind of challenge where I'll be excited to get up in the morning," Baker said. "The potential for good is great."
Pittsburgh previously hired a part-time consultant to advise on public art issues, said city Planning Director Noor Ismail.
The value of Pittsburgh's art collection is unknown; a professional appraisal hasn't been conducted, said Renee Piechocki, 34, a North Side artist who heads the public-private partnership Pittsburgh Office of Public Art. Piechocki will work closely with Baker.
"Kim is going to be the point person for the city's public art," Piechocki said. "People are looking to do art in our public spaces. Pittsburgh needed to get in line with the 350 other public arts programs in the United States."
Mike Cronin can be reached at mcronin@tribweb.com or 412-320-7884.
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