Section 10-A1406. AC-2.1 INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC ART

 

1406.1Public art can provide beauty, visual interest, and a source of community pride. It can contribute to cross-cultural understanding, and become a source of community dialogue and participation. It also brings economic benefits in the form of tourism and jobs for artists. While the most familiar forms of public art in the District are its more than 150 commemorative memorials, there are many other examples. Traditional definitions of public art have grown to include temporary installations as well as permanent art forms such as frescoes and tile murals. New directions in public art should encourage a diversity of media, so that all segments of the community can participate and be represented. 1406.1

 

1406.2Since 1986, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities has maintained a “DC Creates Public Art Program” that purchases, commissions, and installs artwork for public sites throughout the city. The program was established by legislation that allocates up to one percent of the District’s adjusted Capital Budget for the commission and acquisition of artwork. Despite this initiative, broader efforts are needed to bring public art to communities where it is in short supply.

 

1406.3Policy AC-2.1.1: Emphasizing Important Places with Art

 

Use public art to strengthen the District’s identity as a local cultural and arts center. Public art should accent locations such as Metro stations, sidewalks, streets, parks and building lobbies. It should be used in coordination with landscaping, lighting, paving and signage to create gateways for neighborhoods and communities. 1406.3

 

1406.4Policy AC-2.1.2: Funding Public Art in Capital Improvement Projects

 

Continue to set aside funds from the capital improvement project budget for public art and arts-related improvements. Ensure that these funds are actually spent on physical improvements rather than operations. 1406.4

 

1406.5Policy AC-2.1.3: Reuse of Vacant and/or Underutilized Buildings

 

Support the temporary reuse of vacant and/or underutilized storefronts and other non-residential buildings for arts exhibition. 1406.5

 

1406.6Action AC-2.1.A: Public Art Master Plan

 

Develop a Public Art Master Plan for the District. The Master Plan would set out a vision for public art, as well as basic principles for how public art can be integrated into the District’s architecture, gathering places, and natural landscapes. 1406.6

 

1406.7Action AC-2.1.B: Redevelopment of Old Convention Center

 

Include substantial floor space for arts exhibition and outdoor space for the performing arts within the proposed redevelopment plans for the site of the\ former Washington Convention Center. 1406.7

 

See the Central Washington Area Element for additional recommendations on the site of the former Washington Convention Center.

 

1406.8Action AC-2.1.C: New District Museum

 

Conduct a feasibility study on re-establishing a City Museum with public and private support to serve as a showcase of District art, culture, and history, including archival records for the District of Columbia. The study should determine ways to recoup public investment in such a museum, what business model would work best for its operation, where it should locate, and how it should be funded. 1406.8

 

notation

The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.