LTC 018-2024 Art in Public Places Committee Motion - January 16, 2024DocuSign Env elope ID: 0CE27EA7-CD 3B-4A2A-B2 89-FFC 1OFCF A 1CF
MIAMI BEAC H
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC#
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
018-2024 LETTER TO COMMISSION
Honorable Mayor Steven ME.e: :d Members ot the City Commission
RataelE. Granado, coy G{"<
January 18, 2024
Art in Public Places Committee Motion - January 16, 2024
The purpose of this letter to the Mayor and Commission is to provide an update regarding a motion made
during the January 16, 2024 Art in Public Places ("AIPP") Committee meeting.
Motion: Due to the lack of funding availability in the Art in Public Places Fund, the Committee makes
a motion that the City does not go any further with the acquisition of artwork by Kevin Arrow in
reference to the Beatles Mandala and put this project to rest.
At the May 23, 2023 Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee meeting, staff was directed
to work with the artist to propose a new work that would conceptually memorialize the Beatles Mandala.
Following meetings with City staff to discuss possibilities, the artist submitted a proposal for a production
of a large-scale 12' X 12' painting on canvas of the original artwork, Beatles Mandala, in the amount of
$25,000.
On October 16, 2023 the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (FERC) discussed the possible
purchase of the new artwork by artist Kevin Arrow to commemorate the Beatles Mandala. The FERC sent
the item back to the Commission with a recommendation to refer the purchase of the artwork to AiPP for
an independent review, which led to the motion being shared in this L TC.
The AiPP program is funded by 2% of all hard costs of City projects, including new construction,
additions, and costs for construction of joint private/public projects. According to the AiPP ordinance, the
fund is used for the commission or acquisition of works of art; conservation and maintenance of works of
art; research and evaluation of works of art; printing and distribution of related materials; and
administration. Due to the nature of its funding structure, the Art in Public Places fund varies significantly
each fiscal year.
The discussion regarding the Beatles Mandala has been on a parallel legislative path. On September 13,
2023, the Mayor and City Commission approved the recommendation of the Art in Public Places Committee
concerting the deaccession of the artwork entitled Beatles Mandala, consistent with the City's AiPP
deaccessioning criteria, which allows for deaccessioning in situations where the value to repair work
exceeds the value of the work itself.
The above motion was made by Gabriel Paez, seconded by Sara de los Reyes and approved
unanimously. Members in attendance: Ann-Kathrin Seif, Nick D'Annuzio, Sara de los Reyes, Gabriel
P~ez, Aaron Resnick. Guest in attendance: Kevin Arrow.
For more information, please contact Lissette Garcia Arrogante, Director, Tourism and Culture at
lissettearrogante@miamibeachfl.gov or x26597.
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