Duluth sets aside funds for public art maintenance

As Duluth’s public art program continues to grow, the city recognizes maintenance will be a key component to keeping the program viable and ensuring the life of each piece of art. As a result, the City Council voted recently to approve an ordinance to allow for 10 percent of the city’s public art funding be set aside to offset the cost of maintaining public art works.

Specifically, the ordinance requires the city planning department to develop and institute a process for any building permit applicant to meet with the Duluth Public Arts Commission to discuss the value of public art. Applicants are then encouraged, but not required, to donate one percent of the value of new non-city initiated, construction or redevelopment projects to the Public Art and Acquisition Fund.

Ten percent of each donation, gift or contribution received by DPAC will then be designated and restricted to expenditures related to the routine maintenance, repair and cleaning of public art projects.