Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Guido van Helten Pty Ltd for the Creation of a Public Art Work Located on the Concrete Silos and Grain Elevator at 406 E Virginia St, McKinney, TX 75069
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Enhance the Quality of Life in McKinney
MEETING DATE: November 2, 2021
DEPARTMENT: MPAC / Main Street
CONTACT: Amy Rosenthal, Program Director
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
Approve the resolution and authorize the City Manager to execute the Artist Agreement
ITEM SUMMARY:
• City of McKinney has received an artist proposal for a public art project on the city-owned concrete silos and grain elevator located at 406 E Virginia Street.
• The proposal includes community engagement activities and an over-sized mural by Australian artist, Guido van Helten. Van Helten works in a photorealism style and has an international reputation with artwork across the globe.
• This public art project highlights McKinney’s cultural heritage and involves participation from historic and diverse communities.
• McKinney’s piece contributes to van Helten’s ‘Monument’ series, connecting a trail of silo art across the United States and attracts cultural tourists.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• In 2018, the Texas Commission on the Arts recognized the Historic Downtown McKinney Cultural District.
• Boundaries of the walkable district incorporate an area approximately from Mitchell Park to Old Settler’s Park.
• The concrete silos and grain elevator identified for the project are adjacent to The Mill in East McKinney. The silos were constructed in 1927 and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Staff has presented about this project on March 2 and April 20. Staff received feedback from community on March 18 at the East McKinney Open House in addition to supportive comments from the Municipal Community Complex architects on March 30.
• A subcommittee of the McKinney Arts Commission will assemble a list of experiences and possible artist engagement opportunities to submit for council approval. These experiences will influence the final design of the silo public art.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• The City of McKinney has been awarded $90,000 from the Texas Commission on the Arts for this Cultural District project to support and attract cultural tourists.
• The artist agreement is $295,850.
• A fundraising campaign will launch in January 2022 to privately raise the additional funds for this project.
• An ordinance was approved on June 1, 2021 to authorize any gap funding for the mural from Hotel Occupancy Taxes.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• McKinney Main Street and McKinney Arts Commission have both provided support for this project.