County approves $200,000 public art MOU for Justice Center, board asks to include building occupants in selection process

The Teton County Board of County Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding June 3 with Jackson Hole Public Art to fund two public artworks for the county’s planned Justice Center, with the board setting a not-to-exceed budget of $200,000.

Director of General Services Sarah Mann said the Justice Center had budgeted $100,000 for public art. Public art staff presented two options: a single interior artwork visible through a glassed-in stairwell or two pieces including an exterior work on the building’s east/north wall. The interior option was priced at about $135,000; adding an exterior piece would increase the total to roughly $200,000, requiring use of contingency funds unless private grants or fundraising offset costs.

Carrie Geraci, executive director of Jackson Hole Public Art, outlined the organization’s role in running a public artist selection process and assisting with grant applications and fundraising. County Attorney Stout and Sheriff Matt Carr urged caution about interior artwork selection and emphasized that historically significant pieces currently in the courthouse — including the great seal of the state of Wyoming in the district courtroom — should remain prominent. Geraci said the public process includes a stakeholder panel and opportunities for occupants and stakeholders to review proposed works.

Commissioners debated fiscal constraints, stakeholder inclusion and the sequencing of artwork. Several commissioners asked that occupants of the building (judges, court staff and public safety) be included in the stakeholder selection group for interior artwork; staff said occupants would be shown designs and could participate in the call-for-artists process.

Commissioner Carlman moved to approve the MOU for two artwork pieces with Jackson Hole Public Art and Commissioner Probst seconded. Commissioners amended the motion during discussion to state the contract would be “not to exceed $200,000.” The motion carried unanimously.

Deputy County Attorney Guinherkin noted that a Wyoming statute requiring public art expenditures for state buildings (1% of total construction, not to exceed $100,000) applies to state agencies and does not apply to counties; he provided the state standard for context only.

The board instructed staff and the public art coordinator to seek outside funds where possible and to include building occupants in the stakeholder review process for interior artwork.