[Archived] Alexandria Commission for the Arts Seeks Volunteers for the Public Art Committee

For Immediate Release: October 24, 2013

The Alexandria Commission for the Arts is seeking volunteers who reside or work within the City of Alexandria to serve on the Public Art Committee. Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, November 8, 2013.

The Committee will review applications and meet with candidates for the positions on Thursday, November 21, 2013, and will make recommendations to the Commission, who will appoint the new members at the December 17, 2013 Arts Commission meeting.

There are currently two openings being filled: one for an individual with expertise in urban planning, landscape architecture and/or architecture; and one for an individual who has strong interest in the arts.

The Public Art Committee of the Alexandria Commission for the Arts provides advice to the Commission and works with City staff regarding the purchase, commission, donation, and funding of public art in the City. As mandated in the City’s Policy on Acquired Art, the Public Art Committee consists of one Commissioner from the Commission for the Arts with expertise in art, up to four persons with expertise in urban planning, landscape architecture or architecture, up to four persons with expertise in art as an artist or art professional, and up to four persons with an interest in art. Members may live or work in the City, though a minimum of 75% of the members of the Committee must be City of Alexandria residents. The current Chair of the Public Art Committee is Susan Amber Gordon, who also serves on the Arts Commission.

Volunteers should plan to devote 10-12 hours per month to Committee work, in areas including:

• Serving as public representatives for public art projects, issues and policies;
• Participating in the development of planning guidelines, such as the Public Art Master Plan currently underway; and
• Interacting with the community about the potential for and benefits of public art.

The Public Art Committee meets at 7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Durant Center, 1605 Cameron St., and all Committee meetings are open to the public.

For more information about the City’s public art program and current public art initiatives, visit www.alexandriava.gov/publicart.

Interested volunteers should send a letter of interest and a current resume to Sydney-Chanele Dawkins, Chair, Alexandria Commission for the Arts, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria VA 22314 or via email at aca@alexandriava.gov.