Public input sought for Short Street garage Percent for Art design proposal

The Commission on Cultural Affairs and its Standing Committee on Public Art are seeking public input on three site-specific designs proposed for artwork at the Short Street parking garage. The project is being undertaken as part of the city's Percent for Art program.

Public input will play an important role in which design the standing committee will recommend to the commission before being forwarded to the City Council for final approval. Those interested in providing input are encouraged to review the designs and leave feedback on the City's website at www.gocolumbiamo.com/Arts/short_street.php. Public input will be accepted through Monday, Sept. 3. Comments may also be submitted by emailing oca@GoColumbiaMo.com or by mail to the Office of Cultural Affairs, P.O. Box 6015, Columbia, MO.

The two individuals and one team are all professional artists residing in Missouri. All of the artists, Beth Nybeck (Kansas City), Bede Clarke (Columbia) and Marni Jaime and Robert Friedman (Columbia) have spent time getting familiar with the design of the garage, the neighborhood and have visited with the Standing Committee on Public Art and community representatives to get a feel for the space and areas best suited for artwork.

The Percent for Art Program allows for 1 percent of any city building project or improvement project be used for site specific public art. Any above ground capital improvement project with a budget of $1 million or more is eligible to have public art as a component of the completed site.

For more information, contact Chris Stevens, manager of the Office of Cultural Affairs, at (573) 874-7512 or cmsteven@GoColumbiaMo.com.