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Michigan City Public Art Committee highlights sculptures, scholarships and AutoCast growth
Summary
The Public Art Committee reported placed sculptures, neighborhood murals and scholarship activity in 2024, said the committee has 11 volunteer members, a permanent collection valued at about $945,000, and AutoCast audio tours usage up about 125%.
The Michigan City Public Art Committee presented its 2024 annual report to the Common Council on Jan. 7, outlining public-sculpture placements, scholarship activity, neighborhood mural projects and measures to expand art into neighborhoods.
Treasurer Shannon Eason said the committee has 11 volunteer members and described the group’s mission “to enrich the community through public art.” Committee members reported placing four sculptures during 2024 through the rotating Sculpfusion program and other acquisitions. Eason said the permanent public-art collection includes 24 pieces valued at about $945,000, acquired through purchases, donations and lease expirations.
The committee said it distributed 13 scholarships to residents — funded by donations and fundraising — and received a $2,000 Rotary donation specifically for scholarships. The committee noted that city ordinance limits placement of public art to publicly owned property unless the ordinance changes; members said they would like to see authority expanded to include high‑visibility private sites and school properties.
Committee members described neighborhood-focused projects in 2024 including murals at Canada Park and Gardenia Park and painted elements at the skate park. Carol Anne Brown and others said neighborhood tailgate events and openings attracted residents and helped the committee bring art into underserved areas.
The committee also described AutoCast, a smartphone-based audio tour app that provides recorded artist commentary and map-based listings of artworks. The committee reported AutoCast use rose about 125% year over year and said fees for AutoCast listings run roughly $50 per sculpture annually and $125 to add a sculpture. The committee said it pays for many public pieces on the tour and works with some private owners that choose to join the app.
Janet Block and other members thanked the council for a $20,000 addition to the committee budget in prior years directed at neighborhood art, and for smaller donations that sustain scholarships. Committee members said the volunteer-driven program relies on donations and fundraising for scholarship support because the city budget cannot pay for scholarships by ordinance.
Council members asked about expanding coverage to school properties and private high-visibility locations; committee members and council liaisons said they will continue outreach.
