Guest View-John Musolf: Make SAACA Oro Valley's Art Expert

Oro Valley is in the process of changing its standards for the selection of artists for the town's public art.  LOVE reported about the public hearing on this in December: "Oro Valley Considers Public Art Changes."

Public art is financed by a 1% tax on new construction.  Decisions on what goes where are judged by the Conceptual Design Review Board.

Since 1997 there has been almost 300 public art pieces located within Oro Valley.  There is an online Oro ValleyVirtual Art Gallery.  It is a way to view much of Oro Valley's extensive public art collection.

I, and several others, have reviewed the changes recommended by town staff.    We recommended two changes to their recommendations:

Broaden The Definition of Art To Be More Than Statues and Pictures

All Oro Valley public art is permanent and fixed.   Many pieces are in metal.   Current town code does not consider other forms of art.  For example, one of the popular and public draws of our newly annexed Tohono Chul Park is a featured botanical garden (a form of art).

We suggest that town code be expanded to include a diversity of artists who deal in mobility, live, performing, graphic, botanical and virtual art.    We should seek more creativity and originality in public art. We need to provide the property owner and developer the freedom to work with a wider range of talent. 

Empower SAACA To Administer A "Call For Artists" Process

Town staff is recommending that a "Call For Artists" step to the art selection process.  Under their scenario, the property owner and developer would use a "Qualified Agent" to administer a "Call For Artists" process.  A "Qualified Agent" is defined as a not-for-profit entity that has dedicated staff and past experience in conducting the  "Call For Artists" process.

The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) are experts in art.  SAACA Is involved in our community (ex: "Just For Kids"). SAACA has a history of successful involvement in Oro Valley art.   They are a professional, non profit organization that works with more than 1,000 local and national visual artists each year.  Certainly, they would be able to furnish a qualifying list of artists in many art forms to the property owner and to the town for consideration.    Let them administer the "Call For Artists Process".

There would still be a need for the Conceptual Design Review Board (CDRB) and the Town Council to give final approval to any proposed public art.


John Musolf
Oro Valley Resident
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