News Release
Artists Short-Listed for Central Library Public Art Installation
(March 22, 2011) On behalf of the Central Library Public Art Selection Committee, HRM has short-listed six candidates to provide design and consulting services for public art to be featured in or around the Central Library. The process now moves into its second phase, during which one candidate will be selected and approved.
The Central Library Public Art Selection Committee is comprised of a group of experts in their field who have been asked to provide an independent, unbiased and arms-length assessment of all public art submissions for the Central Library. Their names are listed below.
Central Library Public Art Selection Committee
Sarah Fillmore - Chief Curator, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
Christine Macy - Dean, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Dalhousie School of Architecture
Robin Metcalfe - Curator, Saint Mary’s University Art Gallery
Kim Morgan - Artist, Assistant Professor in Sculpture, NSCAD University
Peter Dykhuis - Director/Curator, Dalhousie Art Gallery
Denis Cunningham - Manager, Communications and Marketing, Halifax Public Libraries
The Selection Committee recently issued a statement commending HRM’s strategic vision with respect to introducing public art into the development of the Central Library from its earliest stages. The full statement can be found online at halifaxcentrallibrary.ca.
The six candidates will now be invited to develop public art proposals specific to the Central Library design and site in direct consultation with members of the library project team (architects, HRM project staff and Halifax Public Libraries staff). A design will be selected from these short-listed proposals.
Short-listed candidates.
Dan Corson, USA
Garry Neill Kennedy and Cathy Busby, CDN
George Legrady, CDN (living and working in USA )
Jill Anholt, CDN
Realities United, GER
Rodney Latourelle, CDN (living and working in Germany)
Each short-listed artist will develop a final proposed concept. The Committee is expected to make a final selection in mid-June. Once approved, the artist will become part of the Central Library project team.
“We are thrilled with the opportunity for HRM’s public art collection to grow by adding a piece created especially for the Central Library,” said Andrew Whittemore, HRM manager of community relations and cultural affairs. “Just like the library itself, this art will belong to the people of HRM, for them to enjoy for years to come.”
The Public Art component of the library is budgeted at $450,000, making it the largest commission for a public art project in HRM. Funding for the public art budget is provided for in the overall Central Library budget of $55 million. The Public Art Policy requires that any new municipal construction project provide public art funding at a rate of one percent of the total project's construction costs.
Construction of the Central Library is expected to begin this spring and be completed in 2013, with the Library opening in 2014. More information about the Central Library is available at halifaxcentrallibrary.ca. More information on HRM’s public art program is available at halifax.ca/culture/publicart
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Contact:
Katherine VanBuskirk
Corporate Communications
490-6697
