Bloomington Arts Commission holds $16,500 public-art reserve and readies public database

Bloomington ' The Bloomington Arts Commission discussed budgeting and project priorities at its Jan. 14 meeting, with assistant director for the arts Holly Warren proposing that $16,500 currently earmarked for public art be held as an emergency reserve until the commission identifies specific projects.

Warren said the commission could reserve the funds to respond quickly if state or federal funding for organizations is withdrawn and staff asked the commission to hold off on committing the money until a project was ready. Warren also announced the launch of a public-art database developed with Indiana University's GIS department; the database catalogs 20 of Bloomington's more recent and well-known artworks and will include a publicly accessible map intended for self-guided tours.

The Arts Commission will consider project proposals and discuss uses for the reserve at future meetings; its next meeting is Feb. 11.