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About the Public Art Committee


The Public Art Committee (PAC) advises the Durham Cultural Advisory Board, under the leadership of the City’s General Services Department, and acts on behalf of the board on matters relating to public art. The Public Art Policy Resolution was initially approved by the City Council on November 21, 2011. The committee's functions are to: 

  • Assist and advise the City regarding the implementation and evolution of the Public Art Program.
  • Cultivate and review proposals for public art projects brought to it by City administration and other stakeholders.
  • Work as a community advocate for public arts within the City by building awareness and forging connections that lead to involvement, investment, and opportunity. 
  • Review proposals for public art projects brought to it by the City administration and make recommendations to the Cultural Advisory Board with regard to project approvals. 

Meetings


Public Art Committee's monthly meetings are advertised and open to the public. The committee will host the monthly meeting via Zoom until further notice. Members of the public will be muted in the Zoom meeting. Public comments may be submitted via the Zoom chatroom during the meeting, via email prior to the meeting to [email protected], or via voicemail prior to the meeting to (919) 560-4197 x 21245. For the meeting link and passcode, please contact [email protected] prior to the day of the meeting.


2nd Tuesdays of the month
5:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Location: Meetings will be held virtually on Zoom until further notice.

2024 Meeting Schedule


January 9, 2024 

July 9, 2024
February 13, 2024 
August 13, 2024
March 12, 2024September 10, 2024
April 9, 2024October 8, 2024
May 14, 2024November 12, 2024
June 11, 2024December 10, 2024


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Next Meeting 


Tuesday, December 12, 2023
5:45 PM - 7:15 PM, ET
Location: Zoom


For information on how to join the meeting, please contact [email protected] prior to the day of the meeting. The meeting will be held in at 2011 Fay Street, Durham NC 27704. 

Agendas & Meeting Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Meeting summary minutes are available following approval.
View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Public Art Committee Members

Mya Castillo-Marte, Chair
Jaime Chaves 
Lana Dennis
Doreen Jakob
Ann King
David Ojo
Laura Ritchie

Eliza Redmann
Michelle Smith
JP Trostle, Vice-Chair
Myra Weise

Student Members
Oliver Hess
Bren Vienrich-Felling

Mission Statement  


We believe public art is an integral part of the community fabric: playing an important role in shaping interactions with public spaces; recognizing and celebrating the diverse communities, artists, and history within the City; and offering unique opportunities to be exposed to and engage with art independent of institutional settings. 

Values


We recognize the success of the Public Art Committee are dependent on creating bridges and interactions among diverse Durham communities, neighborhoods, artists, and the City and County. Our decisions and actions are guided by several key values:

  • Centered on Durham - The Public Art Committee is committed to recognizing Durham’s rich history, addressing the needs of local communities, and capitalizing on the creative energy that makes Durham unique. By engaging with and advocating for our neighborhoods, artists, local businesses, and government partners, we aim for a positive and lasting impact in guiding our city’s future.   
  • Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity - We are committed to respectfully representing Durham’s communities through our committee membership, community engagement processes, and promotion of public art projects. By increasing local access to public art, we aim to engage and uplift marginalized communities and to promote diverse and inclusive narratives. 
  • Accessibility and Growth - The Public Art Committee meetings, records, and policies are available for public review. The committee is receptive to feedback on standards and procedures, and strives to make artist calls, selection processes, and community engagement clear and accessible. 
  • Engaging Local Artists - The Public Art Committee is committed to promoting and growing our local arts community by creating and supporting professional and educational opportunities for local artists through public art projects.

Member Expectations  


Members serve without compensation and must reside or work within the County of Durham and actively contribute to the cultural and economic sectors. Committee members may be called upon to: 

  • Attend a new-member orientation and learn about Durham’s public art history; 
  • Attend a monthly, 1.5 hour meeting, missing no more than 3 meetings per year; 
  • Serve additional supporting roles, such as on project-focused task forces, community engagement sessions, and/or Artist Selection Panels; 
  • Research and communicate public art best practices; 
  • Communicate with public stakeholders to support public art and its funding; 
  • Develop new public art projects that fit our strategic goals; 
  • Support ancillary programming around public art installations; 
  • Promote major public art achievements/events, including through social media; 
  • Recruit new committee members and partners; 
  • Promote major public art achievements/events; 
  • Learn, laugh, and grow with us as we support Durham’s Public Art Program! 

Vacancies & Applications

The application process for Public Art Committee membership is currently closed.


Public Art Committee members serve without compensation and must live, work or study within the County of Durham. All Public Art Committee meetings will be hosted as virtual meetings until further notice. The Public Art Committee has at least 13 appointed members (with up to three students from high school and schools of higher learning). The Public Art Committee provides new member recommendations to the Durham Cultural Advisory Board, who then appoints new committee members. Members are appointed to serve one three-year term, and may be reappointed for a second term. After two consecutive full terms, members must step down for a period of at least two years before being considered for re-appointment. The City encourages people from diverse backgrounds to apply. Applicants are eligible regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender identification, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical ability.

Student MembershipDone Editing


The Public Art Committee's student member application process is currently closed.

For more information on the term limits and roles of a student member on the Public Art Committee, please review the document below:

Student Member Job Description (PDF)


Questions? 


For information about the committee, how to attend the public meetings, ask questions of the committee during their monthly meetings, and learn more about the member application process, please contact the Cultural & Public Art Program staff here: 

Cultural & Public Arts Program
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 919-560-4197