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7.1. EDSR 04-19-2021 City of Elk �-- Request for Action River To Item Number Economic Development Authori 7.1 Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by General Business April 19, 2021 Colleen Eddy, Economic Development Specialist Item Description Reviewed by Public Art Initiative Funding Cal Portner, City Administrator Reviewed by Action Requested Item presented for information and discussion purposes. Background/Discussion The Public Art Subcommittee met on March 8, 2021, to discuss potential funding sources to cover the remaining$5,000. A packet consisting of a cover letter and a Slipstream brochure was created and sent to various organizations. The First Bank of Elk River has confirmed a contribution of$2,000 to the public art initiative. Staff continues to follow up with the various organizations,with the goal of the funding deficient as soon as possible. Financial Impact N/A Mission/Policy/Goal The Public Art Subcommittee works under the EDA to implement a public art initiative. Attachments ■ Public Art Packet The Elk River Vision A Y�elcoming community nvith revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional P U W E H E o s r service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity ,g /` UR 001City Efl)k River' March 31,2021 John Houlton First Bank of Elk River Dear Mr. Houlton, On behalf of the City of Elk River Public Art Subcommittee,we are writing to you today to ask for your participation in an exciting new endeavor coming to Elk River! The City of Elk River has commissioned Milligan Studios of St. Paul to design, create, and install a public art sculpture which showcases the city's rich history in leading economic transportation efforts both through the highway system and riverway system. Milligan Studios,an experienced and esteemed sculpture collaborative, has designed and created specifically for Elk River, a sculpture called, 'SVoStream."It will be located at the eastern entrance to downtown Elk River, visible from Highway 10/Main Street/Parrish Ave, and will serve as an invitation to travelers and locals alike to learn how the development and use of several transportation systems has shaped the economic vitality of the town. Elk River's own Charles M. Babcock was the first commissioner of the Minnesota Highway Department in 1917. His leadership and forethought laid the foundation for the state's current highway and transportation system. The sculpture,purposely and thoughtfully located near the Mississippi River, also pays homage to the history the river played in establishing early settlements and commerce of the region. The significance of the sculpture doesn't stop there.We are working with several community organizations including the Elk River Chamber of Commerce,the Elk River Great River Regional Library,ISD 728 schools, Energy City Commission, and Granite Shores Apartments. In addition,we plan to invite high school students and area residents to learn some aspects of metal casting with our artists and to join in a variety of public opportunities that will be conducted under COVID safety protocols. To complete the funding for this community public art initiative,we are looking for partners like you who see the value in the story and are able to financially donate to the project. In return for your contribution of$2,500 you would receive acknowledgment in all publicity and any printed materials. The majority of funding for the project has been secured through the City of Elk River Economic Development Authority as well as a grant from the Central Minnesota Arts Board. But we need your help to contribute to this small funding gap to bring the project to fruition. Can we count on you to help tell this piece of Elk River's story?As a donor you will he recognized on the EDA website, in social media posts and in otherproinotional matetYals. 13065 Orono Parkway Elk River,MN 55330 763.635.1000 P � MfEREO BT NATURE E1kRiverMN.gov On behalf of the City of Elk River Public Art Subcommittee,we thank you in advance for considering this request. Sincerely, Dan Tveite Jennifer Wagner Sharon Tracy Ann McCormick Michael Niziolek To Elk River YOU CAN HELP BRING THIS UNIQUE SCULPTURE TO ELK RIVER AND BE A PART OF THIS EXCITING PUBLIC ART INITIATIVE. DONATE TODAY! 1� Introducing ... SLIPSTREAM A celebration of the highways of Charles Merritt Babcock and the Elk Diver community from which he came. 40 A Proposal from Elk River's Public Art Committee Cityof Elk - = 1:Sample of Ancient Irish Bronze Age Metal Casting to be Ver incorporated in Slipstream THE SLIPSTREAM PROJECT Slipstream is a sculpture comprised of bronze,steel,and kiln-formed architectural recycled glass, 10'(H)x 10'M x 4'(D),the sculpture will facilitate both communal and individual experiences.It can be"read"from afar,as it will have the form of a leaping fish or a river.Up close,one will see a community of diverse fish swimming along in two slipstreams,encircled with intertwining steel pieces representing highways,as Slipstream is in honor of Charles Merritt Babcock who developed the Minnesota Highway system.It pays homage to the rich history of the city as well as to the Mississippi River whose banks it will enhance. R It will be positioned on the intersection of Main Street and Parrish Avenue of the Granite Shores Plaza.Visible from Highway 10 and lit by solar power at night,the sculpture will welcome travelers along the highway and area residents to pause,to enjoy its beauty,to reflect on the history and natural resources of Elk River,and to explore downtown businesses. Collaborating with the Great River Regional Library,we will have computers available to provide the story of the project.Art teachers Nicole Hahn and Damien Husen will educate students about the project.The Chamber of Commerce will assist with public event planning.Milligan Studios artists will present onsite workshops involving the community about bronze casting and 2:Fused architectural glass and steel,components engage community members in its construction and placement.Milligan in Slipstream Studios will also produce a video of their work which will be available to the public at home or at the library's computer center.The city has entered into an agreement with Granite Shores about the site,and its management.They will also contribute the cost of the concrete base. The Milligan Studio artists are very capable and experienced and have pieces located throughout the country and internationally.They have broad experience working with schools in Minnesota and have produced successful curriculum for students. Irish Sculptor Alan Milligan makes it a practice to offer community-wide Umha Aois (Ancient Irish Bronze Age) metal casting workshops,as an introduction to the some of the techniques used to make sculptures. Dr.Nicole Mary Milligan(who also writes novels as New York Times bestselling author N.M.Kelby) creates a narrative webpage and photographs every step of the build to tell the story of the sculpture as it is being fabricated. Examples of such work,like the recent piece,Cloud Horse,can be found on their website themilliganstudio.com.The Milligan Studio offers many ways to enhance the artistic,cultural and educational values of viewers though art experiences. W, . 00 Q_ n y THE SLIPSTREAM DESIGN Milligan Studios has submitted the following design proposal. tt-".milligan studju Stir s�+t€ r E4--Z 6fsFPar filar' d BSM n vla�■� Y1�a!�7 Ta faMG�;'. fpu wa�Trr' •1• + .t SFA lktr •- re Slipstream A celebration of the bigbzvays of Charles Merritt Babcock and the Elk River community from wbicb be came. Sheet bronze patinated in shades of blue would form the"highway"in which the diverse fish of Slipstream school together. The metal rods represent the highways. For more about the artists and studio visit themilliganstudio.com. � K I. Research Elk River,its history and its people(completed). 2. Site visit(completed). 3. Create model and drawings based on the idea of community as diverse fish in a slipstream.Incorporated solar light collaboration,as we were impressed with the innovations of the community in that area and felt we could learn from working with these civic leaders. (Model completed,solar light collaboration in progress). 4. A series of site visits scheduled to meet stakeholders to and talk through expectations. October 2020. City staff, building staff,Milligan Studios will be in attendance to walk through the placement of the art and installation logistics. (completed) 5. Create community event and host it.This generates publicity and allows the engagement of the city in the process November 2020 Creation of the event will happen in November,with the Milligan Studio taking the lead on this as they have hosted and facilitated these events in the past.Promotion would be made through the Milligan Studio and the city and its partners.Planning in progress with COVID regulations in flux. 6. Build Project web page with photos,plans,etc. October/November 2020.Is on Milligan website. 7. Begin build.Should take about 6 weeks. 8. Install by June 30,2021 with celebration. Project Cost $20,000 Grant from Central Minnesota Arts Board $5,000 City of Elk River's Economic Development Authority $10,000 Funds still outstanding $5,000 Granite Shores (In kind preparation for base) Additional requests for funds pending from area concrete companies and other organizations WHAT YOU • This opportunity to provide Elk River with a beautiful sculpture,and to engage the community in paying homage to our natural resources and rich history,and to enrich the lives of students in our district.This is a unique opportunity to enrich the cultural lives of the community and to draw people into the downtown business area. We trust you will give our request for a donation thoughtful consideration.You will receive public recognition for your generous contribution. To contribute please contact Colleen Eddy,City of Elk River—Economic Development Specialist 13065 Orono Parkway,Elk River,MN 55330 Phone: 763.635.1041 Email:ceddy@F1kRiverMN.gov The City of Elk River's Public Art Subcommittee is comprised of the following members. ■ Colleen Eddy Project Manager and Economic Development Specialist ■ Dan Tveite,Economic Development Authority President ■ Jennifer Wagner,HRA,EDA and City Council Commissioner ■ Cal Portner,City Administrator ■ Ann McCormick,Retired school principal and teacher ■ Michael Niziolek,Elk River Park and Recreation Commissioner and retired Science Teacher ■ Sharon Tracy Retired Humanities teacher,Arts Alliance Director,member of the Central Minnesota Arts Board,Minnesota Citizens for the arts Board member. The Public Art Committee has already completed one successful sculpture project,the Whimsical Windmill by Minnesota Artist Carl Zachman located on the Elk River Library grounds.We are eager to present our second project,Slipstream, which will enhance the eastern entry to downtown Elk River.