NEWS
Commission authorizes funds for pool’s art
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by Darryl Schnell
Thursday, March 10, 2005
The Madison CitiARTS Commission authorized the application of funds from the Municipal Art Fund, not exceeding $75,000, for the creation of a work of art at the new Goodman Swimming Pool Wednesday night.
“The final authorization of the motion will be made by the City Council on March 29,” Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said.
The $75,000 for the art at the Goodman Swimming Pool is entirely public money, Verveer added.
The funds are available in the Planning and Development 2005 Capital Budget.
Rebecca Kasemeyer, a member of the CitiARTS Commission, said $75,000 allows the commission to target the right public artist for the job.
“That type of funding will allow the commission to get an artist whose quality is to our liking,” Kasemeyer said.
Kasemeyer noted the commission hopes to make a final decision on which artist or group of artists will work on the Goodman Pool by June while construction on the Goodman Pool will also begin this summer.
According to Verveer, once ground breaks for construction, the project will be finished in one year. The CitiARTS commission hopes to have the selected artist complete the work for the pool before the ribbon is cut in summer 2006.
A starting date set for June 12 should allow the artist enough time to complete the piece before the pool officially opens, Kasemeyer noted.
A year is necessary for completion of the work of art because, according to Kasemeyer, the completion of the piece is more complicated than just going to the pool and putting the work of art together.
“Once hired, the artist will probably meet with the people of the community to see what they want done in terms of the artwork for the pool,” Kasemeyer said.
The selected artist will most likely not begin work until he or she clearly understands what the neighborhood would like to see. Ultimately, the artist must understand the pool is for the general public.
Kasemeyer said the artist on board would most likely become a part of the overall architecture of the pool.
“I think public artists today are much more involved in the construction,” Kasemeyer said. “The artist will most likely work very close with the architect.”
Kasemeyer said she hopes the artist can somehow join the piece with the planned architecture of the pool, two large buildings, to make a coherent design.
“I think what [the commission] would like to see is not necessarily a three-dimensional piece,” Kasemeyer said. “We would like to see the artist integrate the piece into the overall design of the pool.”
Blueprints for the pool leave much to be desired in terms of letting the public know that they are at the Goodman Swimming Pool, she added.
“So far, there is nothing in place that says, ‘Welcome to the pool,’” Kasemeyer said. “I’m not saying that we need a great big dolphin at the entrance or anything like that, but I would like for the artwork to welcome the public to the pool.”
