Battle over public art commences in Seattle

IFACCA/Artshub, 20 August 2005, USA

Following a legal challenge to the City of Seattle’s popular and historic One Percent for Art ordinance, Americans for the Arts has announced that it has filed an amicus curiae brief (in order to highlight the significance of the case to the court). The document was filed by the arts advocacy organisation in support of the City of Seattle’s appeal of a trial court’s decision to invalidate the city’s 32-year-old One Percent for Art ordinance as applied to a public electric utility, Seattle City Light Other organisations that have listed their support for Americans for the Arts in submitting the brief include Artist Trust, a statewide, not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting Washington State artists, and the Washington State Arts Alliance, the statewide multidisciplinary arts advocacy and service organization. Seattle made a pioneering contribution to the establishment of Percent for Art programs, which are now common in cities, counties, and states throughout the USA. The programs typically require a specified percentage of costs related to development project using public capital, to be dedicated to enhancing the built environment through public art as an integral component of the project. Seattle’s One Percent for Art ordinance has been emulated by dozens of cities nationwide. The lawsuit initiated by Seattle City Light attempts to negate the company’s responsibilities under the council-backed One Percent for Art scheme. The suit is understood to be the first time that any Percent for Art ordinance has been subject to legal challenge. Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, said: “Through its pioneering Percent for Art program, Seattle has become synonymous with public art, which has enhanced the entire city, and by extension the nation. Would it really be in the best interest of Seattle for the courts now to prevent City Light from spending a portion of its capital improvement budgets on making its public facilities look better?” To access the amicus brief online, CLICK HERE For further information, CLICK HERE

Show latest news, more from August 2005.