A policy on artwork in outdoor public places is still causing
concern for some Waitaki District Council councillors,
particularly on who should decide what is art and where it
should go.
The policy, under which a subcommittee is appointed to decide
on art and its location, has already come under fire from
some as putting the decision into "art farty" hands.
That term was used again yesterday at the council's strategy
committee, as Cr Cathy Dennison tried to get more lay people
on the subcommittee.
The membership of the subcommittee recommended to the
committee yesterday was the council's community services
group manager, chairperson of the community services
committee, the Forrester Gallery director, a local artist and
a sculptor from within or outside the district.
Cr Dennison successfully changed that, the committee
recommending to the council that a member of the artworks
subcommittee should be an elected representative from the
ward in which the art would be located and removed the
community services group manager.
Cr Gary Kircher said it was important a representative of the
area where an artwork could be located should be involved in
the decision-making.
Cr Jim Hopkins felt the subcommittee recommended to the
committee was still too "art farty" and an elected member
should be involved.
Some councillors also questioned whether the subcommittee
should make decisions, or recommendations, to the council to
make the final decision.
Cr Pam Spite said the subcommittee had the power to co-opt
when it was required and suggested this could include elected
representatives. However, other councillors pointed out the
policy forbade the co-opted representative from voting.
