An exciting new partnership between the Cambridge Public Art Trust and Waipā District Council will create a framework for bringing community-led public art projects to life across Cambridge.
At last week’s Council meeting, elected members agreed to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the trust, setting out their respective roles and how they will work together to support public art in the community.
The charitable trust was established to support the creation, funding and delivery of public art within Cambridge. Under the agreement, the trust will take the lead on fundraising, procuring, installing, maintaining and, where needed, removing public artworks.
Trust chair Meredith Osmond said the agreement is an exciting time for public art in the community.
“We want the art to engage the community, provide thought-provoking experiences, highlight local artists, and celebrate our history, stories and events," she said.
"We also plan to showcase the best of New Zealand’s contemporary art to excite, inspire, challenge and connect people.”
Chief executive Steph O’Sullivan said the partnership marked an innovative step forward enabling the value of art in public places in Cambridge.
"This partnership gives us a really exciting pathway to unlock public art with the community at the heart of this initiative.”
The MOU provides for a careful joint process to unlock the programme of art, following best practice and learnings from other cities and towns. This includes the establishment of a Curator Panel, helping to assess the proposed works and agreements with Council as to which land is best for art pieces and how to ensure the right care and maintenance over the life of each piece.
Council will work with the trust to appoint the first Curator Panel members through an expression of interest process. Council and the trust are also committed to working alongside iwi and mana whenua to build strong relationships and ensure appropriate representation.
The agreement opens the door to a range of public art across the district, from sculptures, murals and light boxes to digital works, Māori design and art incorporated into public spaces such as seating, pathways, bridges and shelters.
The trust will lead the development and fundraising for projects, while Council will oversee artworks proposed for Council land. Each project will still require the appropriate Council approvals and funding is not committed through the agreement.
The MOU will initially be in place for five years and will be reviewed after 12 months, and then at least every three years.
