AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Hold discussion on a Recommendation Resolution 2021-01RR from the Arts Commission that transfers responsibility of future Mermaid March Sculpture creation and promotion to the Mermaid Society of Texas, and provide direction to the City Manager.
Body
Meeting date: September 7, 2021
Department: Requested by Council Member Derrick and Baker
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Background Information:
The Mermaid March is a series of 10 fiberglass mermaid statues commissioned in 2016. Once the statues were created, a call for artists was issued to gather designs and commission artists to paint the statues with unique, original designs. The completed statues were placed in locations on City property and in City-controlled rights-of-way in 2018. A functioning mold of the statues no longer exists, and the April 11, 2016 contract with Fountain People, the firm that created the statues, did not specify the mold be kept.
In late 2020, Mermaid Society of Texas initiated a request of the Arts Commission to take over the program and coordinate the creation and placement of future mermaid sculptures. The Arts Commission held discussion on the request in January 2021 and approved of the request as an action item in March 2021.
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Recommendation:
During its March 17, 2021 monthly meeting, the Arts Commission voted to transfer future projects in the Mermaid March program to the Mermaid Society of Texas. This transfer does not involve City property or funds, and the current mermaid statues will remain City property and be displayed on City-owned ground and right-of-way. Much like the successful ArtSquared Art Market, which began as a City-run art market called Art Unhitched, the Mermaid March has an opportunity to carry on as part of our energetic arts and cultural scene as a community-driven program.