Denver Art Dollars Head Out Of State
DENVER (CBS4)- The vast majority of the approximately $3.5 million the City of Denver has spent on public art in 2010 and 2011 has flowed to out-of-state artists according to figures compiled by Denver's Public Art Program.
"I am surprised," said Denver artist Lisa Purdy. "70 percent to out –of-state artists. I've never seen that before."
Purdy said there were 'absolutely' Colorado artists who were capable of, and would have liked to do the projects that went to out of state artists.
"Often the people who are choosing for these big projects are not necessarily comfortable with choosing a local artist that doesn't have a big name. Big names are comfortable for people to pick," said Purdy, who spoke to CBS4 at her Denver studio.
In 2010 and 2011 the City of Denver spent roughly $3.5 million on 22 public art projects, typically large scale sculptures and art installations. Of those 22 projects, 14 went to artists in other states and another country, while eight of the commissions went to Colorado artists. Only about $400,000 of the $3.5 million went to Colorado artists.
This week, Ray King is working on installing his $115,000 glass artwork in the Eastside Human Services Building. King is from Philadelphia.
Earlier this year, Robert Zoell of Los Angeles put up his ceramic tile mosaic on a Denver Police Department building. That project cost $97,400.
The city allotted $1.2 million in 2010 for a galvanized steel and polycarbonate rod sculpture at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse. That commission went to Dennis Oppenheim of New York.
"That comes up quite a bit. It's a totally reasonable question," said Kendall Peterson of Denver's public art program.
She explained that the artists are chosen by selection panels that include community members and art professionals. She said Denver administrators view their public art as something of an outdoor museum.
"And when you go to an art museum you expect to see national and international work," said Peterson, in explaining why so many projects have gone to out-of-staters.
Additionally, she said that in some cases, the out-of-state artists may use Colorado fabricators and installers, keeping more of the money in Colorado than it may appear.
"Alot of those bigger projects that go out of state were actually fabricated in Denver," said Peterson.
Peterson said Denver art administrators are reluctant to impose quotas that might limit the dollars going to out of state artists for fear of reprisal.
"If we start to close our gates to anyone but Colorado artists, then so will other states," said Peterson.
The City of Longmont has a similar public art program, but on a much smaller scale. There, art administrator Lauren Greenfield said local dollars have been going to local artists.
"We really do emphasize Colorado artists," said Greenfield.
She said of the 58 artworks funded by public dollars in recent years, all have been awarded to Colorado artists.
"It makes more sense. We get more bang for our buck and we have such a great pool of artists here we might as well keep everything here," said Greenfield.
In Aurora, of six public art projects commissioned in the last two years, four have gone to Colorado artists and two have gone to out-of-state artists.
