Indio commissioners agree to revisit request to fund Indio artist's sculpture at Desert Jet terminal

At the Feb. 10 meeting the City of Indio Public Arts Commission discussed a request to consider allocating Art Fund money to place an Indio artist's sculpture at the Desert Jet terminal (the Jackie Cochran facility).

A commissioner proposed bringing the topic back for discussion: "I would like to bring back the discussion on allocating funds for a local artist to have a sculpture at Desert Jet," the commissioner said. Several commissioners expressed concern about using city funds for art placed outside Indio city limits; one commissioner said they would likely oppose such funding because the piece would not be located inside the City of Indio.

Miguel, the staff presenter, said the Art Fund code currently does not allow for art located outside the city and noted that the airport requested artwork last year; staff issued an open call to artists but "no artist came forward," he said. Staff offered to return the matter as a staff item at a future meeting for formal discussion; no vote was taken on permitting the Art Fund to be used for an outside location.

Why it matters

The question raises a policy issue about the geographic limits of the Art Fund and whether the commission will permit exceptions to pay for artwork sited outside Indio. Commissioners signaled they want a fuller discussion before any funding decisions are made.

What happens next

Staff will bring the Desert Jet/Jackie Cochran terminal funding request back to a future meeting as a staff item for commission discussion. No formal action or vote was taken during the Feb. 10 meeting.