Hot Springs board renews $25,000 contract with Cultural Alliance to administer public‑art program

The Hot Springs Board of Directors on Feb. 3 unanimously adopted Ordinance O‑26‑05 to waive competitive bidding and award a services contract to the Hot Springs Area Cultural Alliance to administer the city's public‑art program for 2026 at an annual amount of $25,000.

Mary Zunick, speaking for the Cultural Alliance, told the board the contract covers facilitation of the Arts Advisory Committee, policy and governance work, inventory verification and support for public‑facing initiatives such as the Art Moves installations along the Hot Springs Creek Greenway and gallery walk promotions. Zunick said the Alliance rolled a $6,000 allocation from 2025 into 2026 and has pursued additional fundraising to support a larger installation.

Ron Seevart, staff liaison, and Zunick explained the funds primarily support administrative staff time to manage calls for artists, agendas, minutes and vendor coordination; a portion underwrites Art Moves exhibits ("about $6,000 to $7,000"), promotion of gallery walk events and free arts programming. When Director Trustee asked for an itemized cost list, Mary said more detail is available from Alliance records and that the organization had been covering some duties on a volunteer basis while hiring an executive director.

The board called the roll and returned unanimous 'aye' votes from Directors Erin Holiday, Phyllis Beard, Marsha Dobbs Smith, Dudley Webb, Karen Garcia, Steve Trustee and Mayor Pat McCabe. The ordinance was declared adopted.

The Cultural Alliance representative summarized the policy work by saying, "These policies provide a durable framework to guide public art decisions moving forward." The board directed staff to continue contract oversight and expected a budget presentation when the city's 2026 budget is finalized.