Art in Public Spaces Master Plan

A lovely plan for perfect times and it's nice to have something to aspire toward. And a plan it is.

I totally agree with some who have said that more should be done to encourage artists in all media to remain in or move to Port Moody. Considering all the development destined for the City, perhaps attention could be directed toward creating artists' living/studio spaces to augment the desire for diversity in housing.

Regarding "the City of the Arts" ... probably a total waste of money to change that though I agree that it the City has not earned that designation, it was simply proclaimed.

"City of the Arts" was just a way to name the City as cities, municipalities all around were doing the same
Public Art is a drain on developers funds which could be funnelled elsewhere in the community. Support the artists, authors etc for their special talents not token art pieces

I cannot believe Port Moody is asking for input on public art (which has been largely quite inoffensive) when Port Moody city council permitted those disgusting eyesores of giant digital signs to be built next to the Skytrain/Honda dealer & along the Barnet.
As well as a huge distraction for drivers they really lower the tone of our lovely small city.
GIGANTIC EYESORES!
John Timson
Port Moody.

This was too vast a document to allow addressing it in detail, thus I will submit my main thoughts.

I have been living in Port Moody for 17 years. I love arts so was ecstatic that my city was "the city of the arts" when I moved here. However, I have not found much of everyday experiences to find this statement to be true. Many previous comments described "peppering" of mostly poor quality or "Disneyesque" style "art" throughout out public spaces, and sadly I have to agree. Yes, there are a few examples of quality art, but they are rare. Port Moody will be the city of the arts only when people from outside of our city will start calling it that. They will start calling it that if what they see in Port Moody in terms or art will be memorable and head-turning, be it public art, use of quality design in public architecture/hardscaping, or opportunity to work as an artist. One glaring omission in the plan is not including/mentioning quality architecture and design! The city is responsible for construction and maintenance of municipal buildings and infrastructure, and quality design and materials would go a long way in beautifying Port Moody, bringing a sense of pride, and manifesting that we are the city of the arts! Also, glaringly missing in this document are performance arts and music - aren't they a huge part of arts?

Since Covid-19 wreaked havoc in finances of so many residents, and undoubtedly in the city's budget, I strongly believe that temporarily we need to focus on core needs of the community: not raising taxes, keeping basic services, maintaining the infrastructure, working towards sustainable housing options, and local sustainable job creation.

If we have to maintain buildings or infrastructure, let's spend a bit more for quality and originality of design itself and materials used. If we build a play park for children (one only in the Rocky Point Park is absolutely insufficient for the population and developers include at most one swing and one slide) , give it a theme. Let's give more visibility to quality public art to pieces we already have but which are placed poorly and cannot be appreciated now (an example is a beautiful sculpture of a mother and a child on a bike now installed on a landing of the stairs of the Skytrain station where it cannot be properly appreciated by people rushing up or down the stairs). And yes, let's make it possible for artists to find a studio/work space which could be open to public on certain days. One glorious idea was to introduce Indigenous language on the street signage and have an Indigenous Artist in Residence position with the city.

In the meantime, while we need to tighten the belt, temporary impactful art installations can still bring us joy: let's paint the tree trunks in front of the City Hall again! This can be a volunteering project! Let's use fencing surrounding construction sites to advertise works of artists working in the city or other art events. Schools could do outdoor rotating art installations on their property! Our outdoor performance spaces could feature our youth many of whom train in classical music, which historically has not been featured in public concerts at all. Why not give the stage to local ethnic groups? In time, perhaps the city could partially subsidize art classes (including music or performance), so everyone can participate and experience joy of making art on a personal level.

Spending money on public art but not on artists is like valuing a single egg more than the hen. This is an emphasis placed in a wrong direction. Support artists by providing subsidized rent and working spaces in Port Moody. This is how Port Moody becomes the City of Arts.

I think the strategic directions as set out in the “Art in Public Spaces – Master Plan” should be modified as follows:
Expanding Creative Placemaking
Please consider replacing this with; “Supporting artists so that they can live in our community”.
Most artists do not have anywhere near $92,922 household income to live here.
Bringing People Together
This is good.
Reflecting Indigenous Cultural Heritage & Natural Heritage
Consider replacing this with “Provide financial support for the indigenous artists”.
Maintaining & Developing the Public Art Program
Change the wording on this to Developing and Maintaining “Support the Artists Program”.
Advancing Priority Sites.
Change this direction to “Developing and maintaining artist work-spaces”. As well, consider
building public art galleries associated with the output of the artists working in our art studios.

Please do not clutter our public spaces with art installations that can only be appreciated by some. Instead spend this money on artists.

A critical facet of planning is measuring the success of the strategic directions chosen in support for our goals. The measurement criteria are critical. There should be an in-depth discussion on what should be measured and how the data will be collected. In the draft plan, I did not see any discussion on measurement. In 5 years how will we know whether the strategic plan has succeeded or not, and how to improve it for the next phase.

Thank you.
Mel Ogmen

Thank you for the opportunity to submit feedback on the Arts Master Plan. Although I have some reservations about the effectiveness (and expense) of the brand, I do support the cultural, aesthetic and economic vitality that art brings to public spaces. I would like to see more intersection between the past, the present and the future and between disciplines. I would like to suggest a project that would link artists to environmental stewardship. One example, to reduce bird window strike hazards, now used by UBC, Stanley Park Board building and Surrey Nature Centre, is to commission artists who will create artistic etchings on large windows to discourage birds from flying into the glass. The resulting renditions are appealing and do not deter visibility from inside the buildings. These projects would leave a lasting legacy for another pillar in our community - environmental sustainability.

There is no information about creating an artistic community and therefore the plan is reduced to 'buying art' which in itself will not achieve community goals. The responsibilities from the TRC and UNDRIP and unfortunately reduced to reflecting indigenous "heritage". The language here is inappropriate and this seems a review in terms of inclusive and respective language.

I have never understood why we call Port Moody "City of the Arts", we don't have many art galleries nor many pieces of art being displayed - certainly not more and possibly less than many other cities. Developers have not been encouraged to build "art" into their buildings. The best art has been the mural recently done on the side of the new Rocky Point Ice Cream building and that is an owner providing art. I would prefer to change the emphasis and work on the natural beauty that is Port Moody, the wonderful outdoor spaces that we have and focus our funds and attention on that instead of "art". I'm not saying we should not have public art, that should be a given, but we should change our theme for the city as it just doesn't fit.

Wow, that is quite the presentation. Some great ideas and plans but it looks like a lot of time and money went into the presentation. I hope that as much effort will go into actually making it happen, creating the art and displaying it around the city.
For me, art doesn't have to be expensive, it should be something that the community enjoys envisioning, imagining, planning and creating together, from start to finish.
One of our best artworks is the canoe planter and beautiful brightly painted tables and chairs at Queens Street Plaza. So simple yet inviting, perfect for brining the community together. I also love the Indigenous Carving that is set to be erected at Rocky Point (it was so amazing to watch the love, history and culture that every person carving put into it, and allowing passerby's to carve a little was so special and inclusive!), the simple but welcoming rainbow crosswalk in Newport and the art panels along the sidewalk by skytrain at Ioco and St Johns.
Sometimes way too much money and resources are spent on overly interpretive works commissoned by unknown artists people that end up being costly, ghastly eye soars. Keep it simple yet creative, fun, local, inclusive and cultural with community involvement, focus and engagement and include as many locals of all ages, races, talents and skills as possible.
I would also like to see some water features and art at our main entry and focal points of Port Moody...eg Rocky Point, at Barnet and Clark or St Johns and at Ioco and Murray.
We already have so much natural beauty, we just need to add a little creativity that shows how much we all love Port Moody.

No to spending tax money on public art of any kind.

It's a well-designed Master Plan but it may need to be scaled down a bit to avoid large costs and I would stimulate local artist competitions and maybe some donations of art.

What I would like to see is a panel consisting of a couple of artists, preferably Port Moody residents, with an extensive education in exterior design and some architecture who would decide on the acceptance of artist proposals.


Bringing People Together: I would like to suggest a large increase in park benches where people, such as seniors who need to sit down a lot, can admire some art erected in those locations with each other. All Parks in Port Moody need to be considered and please don't forget the College Park Area.

Reflecting Heritage: Please bring in art that reflects First Nations and the completion of the Railroad.
Culture: please include Visible Minorities.

I agree that the moniker "City of the Arts" maybe a bit unrealistic and would suggest a moniker that reflects more on the beauty of our location such as "The Soul of the Inlet" or "The Heart of the Inlet" or something to do with our location on the beautiful Inlet.

Money and effort would be better focused on providing artists with a dedicated exhibition space of some kind for limited engagements. Traffic and interest seems to be increasingly concentrated on Murray Street and around Rocky Point/ Inlet Park. Future development of East side of the street could/should encourage/promote some Studio/live-work spaces. Let's continue the work down there to make PoMo a destination for the region.

In light of the increase in property tax and trying to cut budgets, right now is not the time to be spending public money on art. Many are suffering financially due to the pandemic. We all are looking at what we can do without. In terms of financial priorities, art must be at the bottom. I know it is easier to spend money that's not our own, but please, as our elected City Council, be fiscally responsible during such difficult times.

Yes to public art. Murals, interactive pieces, natural sculptures etc. I want my kids to enjoy seeing art in their community.

I am "NOT" a fan of this Art in Public Spaces.

One person's art is another person's trash right?

I am fairly sure that anything the public body does as a singular entity will result in my displeasure. In regards to this topic, I am reminded of ugly trash called "art" that I have witnessed here, there and everywhere else. Personally I wish the City of Port Moody would stay away from such ventures. I do not wish to see someone else's political, theological, drug induced fantasy, as a public commission.

To me the beauty of this city is to be found in what it used to be. Keep everything simple, keep it clean, keep it green. Less is more. I wish I could define such, but this used to be such a beautiful city. It used to be such a great place to live. I find that bureaucracy, bylaws, micromanagers, and residents who complain over issues that are not issues are actually the one's decimating this city. Them and the developers looking to make a quick buck.

I am not a fan of this topic.
Less is more is my point of view.

The only good I can say towards "Public Works of Art" is in regards to what the school district, and whomever was involved, had accomplished a Glenayre Elementary School. Whoever came up with the "Artwork" that was painted on the Eastern Face of the Gymnasium did an excellent job. I was greatly surprised to see something done outside the box that I can actually appreciate. Take a screenshot as I feel it is extremely rare to see me approve of something different. In small doses here and there, such murals are a pleasant site.

Otherwise no. Just abandon this idea altogether please. Keep everything natural. Keep everything simple. Keep it functionally maintained.

Art, in any form, is an asset to our community. Not only does it look good ; makes people feel good- it offers an economic opportunity as well for the artisans involved.

I'm not sure you're going to get a lot of people reading a 48-page draft report and providing informed commentary. I like investment in public art and I'd love to see more big installations like sculptures and murals. The new mural on the side of the Rocky Point Canteen and Creamery is a beautiful addition! I like the Indigenous and local history focus, but I also like art that is out of context and catches your eye because of that. Canmore, Alberta has this massive human head coming out of the ground - kids can climb on it, perfect for pictures, definitely a head-turning piece. Frankly, I think we should abandon the "City of the Arts" moniker unless we're really going to go for it. At the moment it feels like half measures and minimal effort/investment. Go big or go home.

As a person who has personally involved in Art projects in Port Moody and have more free time how do I get involved in more in Art in Port Moody as a Artist?

The whole concept and adherence to it has so far proven to be a visual and fiscal debacle. While a laudable concept it is one that can only come to fruition with a massive investment in facilities, GOOD art, and people. This is just not something that can be achieved on the cheap. Currently we are already overtaxed and about to be hit with even bigger expenses than we have ever had to budget for in the past.
Wrong area to focus on at this time and I highly doubt it will be any better in the future - my advise drop the concept and move on.

I like the idea of public art, in theory. But I don't think it works in Port Moody. The public art that has been commissioned in my view is a failure for the most part. The most relevant example is the major work in front of city hall. I think this exemplifies the inane, Disneyesque, infantile quality of most Port Moody public art. I would like to see those funds put to better use.