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Council and GSD agree to artist roundtable after mixed graffiti-removal complaints; Arts Alley work advancing
Summary
GSD said it contracts artists for murals and alleys through CityWalls and ACE; staff will hold an artist roundtable to reduce accidental removal of authorized public art after council concerns.
Councilmembers and General Services Department officials discussed graffiti removal, the CityWalls mural program and ACE Arts Alley contracts during the budget hearing.
GSD told the committee it contracts artists through its CityWAS/ACE programs and through a vendor that helps put projects out to bid. Councilmember Mary Waters and others asked what percentage of contracted artists are Detroit residents; Perkins said she would supply demographic data on artists under contract.
Council member Gabriela Santiago Romero described instances where community murals or artwork were removed and urged an artist roundtable. Perkins said graffiti-removal crews are trained to distinguish unauthorized graffiti from murals, but acknowledged at least one instance where an art installation was removed in error and the department had addressed it. The department agreed to schedule a meeting with local artists to improve communication and to establish a process for residents to flag pieces the city should not remove.
The Arts Alley program was described as underway, with community engagement and artist selection completed for multiple alleys. Councilmembers raised a water-main issue at an early alley rollout and asked GSD to assist in removing asphalt so an art alley can open.
Committee members directed staff to follow up with demographic data on contracted artists and to schedule an artist roundtable to align removal policies with community expectations.
