Redmond Arts and Culture Commission presents annual work, seeks updated public-art funding and master plan

The Redmond Arts and Culture Commission presented its annual report and a set of priorities to the Redmond City Council at a Sept. 23 special joint meeting, asking the council to support updates to the city’s public-art funding approach and a refresh of the public art master plan.

“The Redmond Arts and Culture Commission is a mayor appointed, council confirmed advisory commission. They advise the city on arts policies and programs,” said Chris Weber, the city’s cultural arts supervisor, as he introduced the commission’s presentation.

Commission Chair Kathy O'Keefe said the commission’s work this year focused on cultural inclusion, sustaining public art funding and developing an artist pipeline. “The commission consists of 9 commissioners plus 1 youth advocate,” O'Keefe said, noting staff and consultants will lead the public art master plan update.

Why it matters: commissioners told council that predictable, increased funding would help secure more permanent public artworks, expand temporary and asphalt art programs and retain local arts organizations. The…