Eagan selects four pieces for Art on Loan program; 30-day public comment opens

The Eagan Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed recommended selections for the city’s Art on Loan program on Feb. 23 and will post four works for a 30-day public comment period before forwarding the recommendations to the city council.

Staff said about 33 submissions were reviewed and that one initially selected piece became unavailable when the artist sold it. The four recommended works are:

- Cherry by Seunghee Min (to be sited at Civic Center Park) - Animal Imagined by Isaac Kidder (Westcott Library) - Shift in Harmony by Ryan and Jim Peterson (City Hall patio) - House Tree by John Kamrath (Civic Arena)

Staff noted that selections are typically swapped out in June–July if approved; the Art on Loan program rotates pieces across the civic campus, including the library, Civic Arena and City Hall. Tanya and the public-art team will post the recommended pieces on the city website and coordinate social outreach during the 30-day comment period.

A commissioner acknowledged that public opinion sometimes splits on using public funds for art but said the program aims to offer diverse programming and spaces for residents who value public art. After the comment period and any internal checks, staff will seek council approval and then finalize contracts with artists or arrange for installation.