Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture
Civic Space Project

 

Frequently Asked Questions

The Phoenix City Council in December 2007 approved funding for a public art project that promises to be the centerpiece of the future Civic Space Park, which is set to open in Spring 2009 north of Van Buren Street between Central and First avenues. Below are some common questions and answers about the project and the city of Phoenix Public Art Program.

Q: What is the Downtown Civic Space Park and how is it funded?
A: The park is the result of a collaborative effort between the city and Arizona State University. The goal is to have a special place that would benefit residents, students and downtown visitors. The park is funded by $30 million in Parks and Recreation Bond funds that Phoenix voters approved in 2006.

Q: Why will the park include public art?
A: When planning for the park, the city conducted extensive public outreach among hundreds of central city residents, the art community, downtown businesses, ASU students, seniors and other stakeholders. An overwhelming majority of the participants embraced art as an important element of the Downtown Civic Space Park.

Q: How was the artwork selected?
A: The city conducted an international competitive process that drew 178 submittals from artists in Arizona and around the world to create the park's artwork. As with all other city public art projects, a diverse selection panel was assembled, which included community members, artists, public art specialists, stakeholders and city staff.

Q: Who was the artist selected?
A: Janet Echelman was recommended by the selection panel in April 2007 to design a public art piece for the park. Echelman is an eminent international artist known for creating renowned art sculptures in public spaces. Her work has been installed in a dozen nations throughout Asia, Europe and North America. In 2005, she completed "She Changes," a monumental wind sculpture made of steel and netting in Porto, Portugal.

Q: What did Echelman design for the park?
A: The Civic Space piece she designed will be similar to the wind sculpture Echelman created in Porto, Portugal. (See digital model) The sculpture will be suspended approximately 50 feet above the ground on an armature of steel rings, three tapered poles and cables. It will be approximately 60 feet tall and 98 feet in diameter across the top ring.

Q: What other special features or aspects does the artwork include?
A: The floral form of the artwork was inspired by the Saguaro cactus bloom, the Arizona state flower. Its light-weight netting will billow and move with the wind, allowing viewers to see the beauty of nature in a surprising new way. In addition, specialized lighting at night will gradually change the sculpture's colors with the seasons, giving it a cooler, blue tint on summer nights and a warmer red glow in the winter.

Q: How will the artwork withstand the area's harsh summer climates and monsoon seasons?
A: The artwork will be built with structural steel tubing and flexible netting made from woven Tenara fiber. Tenara is a durable fiber that is used on buildings throughout the world. The net is expected to last 20 years and is completely resistant to damage from sunlight and isn't affected by heat or cold.

Q: How much will the project cost?
A: The Phoenix City Council in December 2007 approved $1.9 million to proceed with the design, engineering, fabrication and installation of the artwork. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $2.4 million.

Q: In light of the city's budget crunch, why is the city using taxpayer funds to proceed with the project?
A: Funding for the Civic Space project DOES NOT include funds from the city's general purpose budget. Monies from the general purpose fund are used for city services such as police and fire, parks, libraries and senior centers. The art project is being paid for by the city's one percent art fund from the city's capital improvement program. These funds are specifically earmarked for brick and mortar projects, such as the Civic Space art project.