Aspen Public art plan
Community paint day for the new Pavement Art Mural out front the Wheeler Opera House
2023 Community Engagment to create a Public Art Plan
The City of Aspen, in partnership with the Red Brick Center for the Arts, launched a community engagement initiative aimed at developing Aspen's very first Public Art Plan. From May to October 2023, we held a series of events and meetings and conducted a survey to encourage individuals to contribute their thoughts and suggestions on the direction of public art in the future. If you missed the engagement and want to share or learn more, please contact Sarah Roy, Executive Director of the Red Brick Center for the Arts. sarah.roy@aspen.gov
2023 - 2024 timeline of events
May, Aspen Public Art Planning Kicks Off
June - September, Stakeholder Community Engagement
June 25, 10am - 4pm Pavement Art Installation and Public Art Pop-Up Engagement, in front of the Wheeler Opera House. View pictures of the event and learn more about this project HERE
June 30, Survey opens
June - October, hosted focus groups and conducted interviews
June 28, 5:30pm FREE Aspen Ideas Festival Session, The Case for Art as Civic Glue, at the Wheeler Opera House
August 9, 5-7pm at Aspen Public Library. Join us for an evening of learning about public art and share ideas to help shape Aspen’s public art program. No registration is required and all are invited to come!
September 20, 4-6pm at the Aspen Art Museum. Join us for an evening of learning about public art and share ideas to help shape Aspen’s public art program.
October 15, Survey closes
October - November, Synthesize findings and shape program framework, vision, goals, and guiding principles.
December 4, City Council work session to discuss the findings from the community engagement effort and draft of the plan
January - April, 2024 Finalize community engagement report and recommended framework for a public art program
Highlights
June 25th, 2023 Community Paint day
June 25th community pavement art installation day! Thank you Aspen Ideas Festival for your partnership and sponsorship of this amazing project!
June 28th, 2023 Aspen Ideas Festival Session
The Case for Art as Civic Glue
Thank you to the Aspen Ideas Festival for hosting a free session on the role of art in community building.
August 9th, 2023 Open House at the Pitkin County Library
Participants got their creativity stimulated with a yarn craft project and root beer floats and then joined in conversations on place-making and visioning.
September 20th, 2023 Creative Conversation
We wanted to express our gratitude to the Aspen Art Museum for granting us permission to use their exquisite rooftop café as a venue for our creative conversation on the future of Public Art in Aspen. At the beginning of the event, 8 local individuals showcased their favorite piece of public art, and after that, the attendees were divided into smaller groups to engage in discussions revolving around the following questions:
How can public art create more human connection?
Where in Aspen do you want to see art? Where should we avoid it?
What will Aspen be like in 20 years if the public art program is successful?
VISIONING COMMITTEE
A committee consisting of artists, art professionals, and relevant City staff is meeting regularly to serve as ambassadors and guide the planning process. The primary role of this committee is to keep the best interest of the community at the forefront and engage residents in the process. The committee will advise consultants on their engagement efforts and help synthesize the findings into the final vision statement, goals, process, and policies. These will be presented to Council for feedback and approval. The Visioning Committee comprises:
Ajax Axe, Artist
Lissa Ballinger, Herbert Bayer Center
Sam Harvey, Artist, Art Educator and Curator
Daniel Merritt, Aspen Art Museum
Ann Mullins, Landscape Designer
Tim Sack, Designer and Art Curator
Andrew Travers, Writer
Brijetta Waller, Artist
Lara Whitley, Artist
Paul Woznicki, Art Handler, Curator, and Writer
City Staff:
Sarah Roy, Director of Red Brick Center for the Arts
Matt Kuhn, Director of Parks and Open Space
Emmy Garrigus, Lodging & Commercial Core Program Manager, Community Development Department
Presentation and Event Appearances in 2023
Aspen Public Radio Lawn Bash, June 28
Commercial Core and Lodging Committee, July 19
Red Brick Center for the Arts gallery reception, July 20
Aspen Chamber and Resort Association Board Meeting, July 25
Mid Summer Cultural Celebration at the Red Brick, August 3
City Council Community Picnic, August 17
Rotary Club, August 24
Saturday Market, September 9
Wheeler Opera House Board, September 13
Open Space and Trails Board, September 28
If you would like for us to present to your organization or event, please contact Sarah at sarah.roy@aspen.gov
Aspen Community Voice
Visit Aspen Community Voice to Learn More HERE