Title
Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge Grant (Ordinance S-44442)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to apply for, accept, and disburse up to $1 million in a Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge Grant. The grant would be used to create works of public art and design that spark new thinking about effective ways to increase shade and reduce the urban heat island effect as part of the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative in the Edison-Eastlake community and elsewhere in Phoenix. Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept, and the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge Grant will be given to at least three cities with more than 30,000 residents over a period of two years to support innovative public art projects with the potential to engage communities and partnerships, enhance creativity, enrich the vibrancy of cities, and drive economic development. The Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture would coordinate the grant with the Mayor and Council offices, multiple City departments, the ASU School of Sustainability, and community groups and businesses in the Edison-Eastlake neighborhoods. Recent studies have identified the urban heat island effect as a major health and environmental challenge for residents of these neighborhoods. The Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge Grant would enable the City to create temporary public works that address this critical urban challenge, bolstering ongoing City efforts to develop effective strategies for reducing the urban heat island citywide.
Financial Impact
The $1 million grant does not require any matching funds from the City of Phoenix.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission reviewed and recommended this item for approval at its March 20, 2018 meeting.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and the Office of Arts and Culture.