The goal of Scottsdale Public Art is to achieve high-quality art in publicly accessible places. We serve as a catalyst in shaping people’s experiences of Scottsdale’s present and future places, ensuring we remain one of the country’s “most livable cities.” As a central defining characteristic of our community, public art enhances Scottsdale’s unique character, image, and identity. We feel that public art contributes to a strong sense of place, neighborhood pride, and sense of discovery, and it fosters social interaction. In addition, when you integrate artwork and artists into the planning and design of our built environment, it will increase the quality of that environment by facilitating opportunities of engagement, creating memory points, and providing functional and aesthetic continuity.
The city of Scottsdale passed the Art in Private Development ordinance in 1985. Any development zoned as a planned block development (PBD) in the downtown district allocates 1% of the building valuation toward original works of art. The artwork shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the Art in Public Places program. The developer may select a visual art professional to act as a consultant, or the developer may utilize the resources and services of Scottsdale Arts to select the artist and artwork. Original artwork is to be placed within the PBD on a site that considers the following: unobstructed public viewing and accessibility, public safety, and interior and exterior use of patterns that are consistent with existing or future architectural and natural features. The developer also has the option to pay an amount equal to 1% of the building valuation or any portion of the obligation not used on site into the cultural trust fund in lieu of installing original artwork in the PBD.
Exemptions
The following are exempt from the Cultural Improvement Program requirement:
- Interior tenant improvements.
- Residential uses in a PBD overlay district that was rezoned before January 1, 2013.
- Dwellings, single-family and two-family.
- Properties zoned “special campus,” in which Cultural Improvement Program elements have been included in the development plan.
Public Art Submittal Requirements
All applicants with an art obligation are advised to meet with Scottsdale Public Art staff for an initial briefing prior to planning submittal to review procedures and discuss preliminary plans.
It is also recommended that the project applicant seek the advisement, review, and comment of Scottsdale Public Art staff prior to artist/art selection. The Scottsdale Public Art staff is available to advise on artist opportunities, artist resources, art and site compatibility, viability, installation, and maintenance of the artwork. Hiring a professional consultant experienced in public art is the best assurance of choosing and executing a successful public artwork.
The Scottsdale Public Art Board generally approves Art in Private Development projects in three stages:
Stage 1: Preliminary Public Art Plan/Schematic Design
This stage of the art plan should be undertaken concurrently with seeking approval by the city of Scottsdale’s Planning Department, which may involve a zoning entitlement process. The applicant develops the preliminary public art plan in consultation with Scottsdale Public Art staff to ensure that the intent of the plan is consistent with the requirements of the city’s zoning and public art ordinances. The preliminary plan must be submitted to Scottsdale Public Art staff, with a copy also submitted to the project coordinator in the city Planning Department prior to the city Development Review Board consideration of the project. Scottsdale Public Art staff shall provide a written recommendation regarding the preliminary public art plan for inclusion in the city staff report for the Development Review Board.
Please see the form for a checklist for Stage 1.
Stage 2: Final Art Plan/Design
The applicant must present the final comprehensive public art plan and design to the Scottsdale Public Art Board as noted below and provide copies to the city project coordinator. This presentation must occur after city Development Review Board approval of the project location and before the project applicant’s submission of final construction drawings.
Within 10 days following the meeting of the Scottsdale Public Art Board, the applicant shall be notified in writing of the board’s decision. Scottsdale Public Art staff shall also provide written notification to the city’s Planning Department of the project applicant’s compliance with the ordinance.
The applicant must also submit a final estimate of its public art commitment, as calculated according to Section 5.3083C, which shall be validated by the city’s One Stop Shop. The project applicant may opt to pay this amount to the Downtown Cultural Trust in lieu of installing original artwork on the site. Funds from the Downtown Cultural Trust are used for the accession/commission of artwork to be located in downtown public spaces.
Calculating the Public Art Commitment
The public art obligation is based upon a minimum 1% of building valuation, subject to certain restrictions. The calculation of building valuation shall not include square footage associated with public improvements. Cost per square foot shall be taken from the most recent publication of the International Conference of Building Officials. The derivation of the estimate and the date of the ICBO publication shall be noted on the submittal.
Please see the for a checklist for Stage 2.
Stage 3: Certification
The project applicant must certify that the requirements for installing artwork, according to Section 5.3083, have been met (or that an in-lieu fee has been deposited) before the city shall issue a final certificate of occupancy.
Please see form for a checklist for Stage 3.
