Public Art board agrees to add 'identifying' to mission, favors inspirational vision language

The Public Art Advisory Board met in a work session to revise its draft strategic plan and agreed to add the word "identifying" before "collecting" in the board's mission, clarifying the board's role in locating public-art sites.

"The only change we're gonna make to the mission statement is to add the word identifying in front of collecting," a committee member said during discussion, reflecting broad agreement. Board members emphasized that education should be treated as a goal or strategy rather than part of the mission text.

Participants also debated public-facing language for the document's introductory pages. Several members favored language that reads like the Carmel, Indiana, example the group reviewed — more conversational and inspirational — while keeping nuts-and-bolts definitions in the plan's appendix. "Public art embodies the values of a community. It enriches public spaces, transforms everyday experiences and invites reflection on who we are," a committee member read aloud as an example the board liked.

Liaison Theresa Grama said staff will gather the recommended verbiage and return a compiled draft to the board for further edits before the plan is recommended to the City Commission.