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Artists press URA on bronze sculptures; city manager says insurance issues may be solvable
Summary
Local artists told the URA that insurance costs and procedural hurdles are preventing public art installations; city manager said some pieces may be covered under the city's insurance policy and staff will work with artists on options and grant eligibility.
Joe and Cindy Wayne, who operate a studio gallery in Livingston, asked the Urban Renewal Agency for help after they said insurance and placement rules made installing bronze sculptures prohibitively expensive. Joe said some pieces require insurance amounts that make small public-art projects unviable; board members and staff discussed possible URA grant eligibility and administrative pathways.
"I was unaware that insurance is what was actually holding that one up," City Manager Mister Gager said, and offered to provide his business card and connect the artists with staff and the city's insurance carrier. Gager and commissioners outlined the downtown enhancement program that can provide grants (up to $25,000) for projects aligned with the downtown master plan and said eligibility and guidance are published on the City and URA websites.
Wayne described a red-tail hawk bronze currently on Main Street and said he retains ownership of his pieces, which affects who pays insurance. Commissioners and Mr. Gager said there are mechanisms to place works on city sidewalks and that some projects the city has partnered on were carried under the city’s insurance arrangements; they encouraged artists to meet with staff so the city can determine whether URA programs or other administrative solutions might reduce barriers.
The URA did not vote on funding at the meeting; staff were asked to follow up with the Waynes and provide information about grant eligibility, insurance options, and the application process.
