faq








				How does a sculpture collection impact economic development? Why sculpture? How do you know that a sculpture collection will improve the economy? Where will the sculptures be located? Will the sculptures be permanent or temporary? Are you commissioning new sculptures or buying already existing ones? Will the sculptures be site specific? Where will the money to pay for the sculptures come from? What is the budget for purchasing sculptures? Will you always be buying the sculptures or are you asking artists to donate them? If a piece is donated, who would pay for the shipping and installation costs? Who will own the sculptures? Who will take care of the sculptures? How are the artists and artworks chosen? What current projects are underway? How can I become involved in this project? :: go to top :: How does a sculpture collection impact economic development? Any region trying to attract new business faces the challenge of attracting prospective employers and retaining existing ones. New companies ask, “What amenities does the community offer that will attract people to this area?” This is a major concern for companies already located within a community as they consider whether to remain in a particular location or consider growth opportunities. (See: Arts and Economics) Communities that focus their resources on the development of community and cultural amenities, take a more proactive and less reactive approach to economic development efforts. Companies may locate in an area because of significant cultural attractions. :: go to top :: Why sculpture? Some communities have natural amenities: oceans, mountains, a pleasant year around climate, etc. Although the Wabash Valley, named for the historic river around which this area developed, also has beautiful trees and green spaces, the area is not blessed with stunning and dramatic natural amenities. It is a challenge, therefore, for Terre Haute to differentiate itself from literally hundreds of other communities that accurately advertise themselves as “a friendly place to live, with lots of nice people.” What is proposed is a cultural attraction that will be accessible to residents and visitors alike, one that will dovetail with the ongoing economic development efforts and will enhance the quality of life throughout the region. :: go to top :: How do you know that a sculpture collection will improve the economy? In many other communities where people have taken bold steps in arts initiatives, the outcome has been new jobs created, new businesses starting up or relocating in the community, increased tax revenues for the city and the state, and measurable improvements in the quality of life. Numerous recent national studies (such as: The Artistic Dividend Revisited) have demonstrated that the arts attract dollars to a community. An outdoor sculpture collection is a highly visible amenity which speaks volumes about a community’s support and appreciation for the arts. :: go to top :: Where will the sculptures be located? Sculptures will be located in a wide variety of public settings in the downtown area as well as in parks and possibly some rural locations. All of the sculptures will be in sites where residents and tourists will be welcome. There is currently no shortage of organizations interested in providing a site for public sculpture on their property. :: go to top :: Will the sculptures be permanent or temporary? Most of the sculptures will be installed permanently but we may at times or in a certain location put up one or more sculptures for temporary periods of time. :: go to top :: Are you commissioning new sculptures or buying already existing ones? In many cases we will be commissioning new pieces, but on occasion if an already existing sculpture is ideal for a given site, then we would purchase it. :: go to top :: Will the sculptures be site specific? Some will and some will not. However each sculpture will be selected with a certain site in mind. :: go to top :: Where will the money to pay for the sculptures come from? Art Spaces, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit corporation and is engaged in ongoing fundraising efforts to fabricate, install and care for the sculptures in our collection. The funds will come from individuals, corporations, foundations, city, state and federal funds, and through many generous in-kind donations. :: go to top :: What is the budget for purchasing sculptures? Through the united efforts of the Board of Directors and the city organizations with which we are working in tandem, Art Spaces is dedicated to keeping operating costs to a minimum in order to devote the largest fundraising efforts to the financing of the sculptures themselves. We are a young organization with a growing collection and the budget for any given sculpture may fall between $5,000-$200,000. :: go to top :: Will you always be buying the sculptures or are you asking artists to donate them? We have received offers of donations from artists who are eager to have their works in the collection or are looking for a place to locate a particular sculpture that they have not sold but want to have it seen and appreciated. Our Acquisitions Committee reviews these offers and if interested, will work with the artist to find a site for it and have it become part of the Art Spaces collection. :: go to top :: If a piece is donated, who would pay for the shipping and installation costs? If we accept a sculpture into our collection, we would make every effort to raise the funds needed to ship and install the piece, unless that has been offered by the artist as well. These factors would be determined prior to a piece being accepted into the collection. :: go to top :: Who will own the sculptures? In most cases sculptures will be owned by the siteholder. For example, sculptures placed in a city park will be owned by the City of Terre Haute. A sculpture at the public library will be owned by the library. All of the sculptures will be in publicly accessible sites. :: go to top :: Who will take care of the sculptures? Art Spaces is building into its funding proposals a percentage to be kept to a restricted fund for the maintenance of the sculpture collection. The way the care is undertaken will vary from site to site and will be negotiated with the site owner and the artist in the initial contract. :: go to top :: How are the artists and artworks chosen? The Art Spaces Acquisitions Committee includes many of Terre Haute’s top arts professionals. This Committee will run the selection process through Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) and Requests for Proposals (RFP). The committee will make recommendations to the Board of Directors of Art Spaces who will approve the final selection. Each organization that has a site receiving sculpture will have one or more representatives that will review the selections recommended by the Board of Art Spaces and in most cases will be involved in the discussion leading to the final choice. :: go to top :: What current projects are underway? The priorities for 2007 are the Terre Haute Arts Corridor, the Stadium/101 Trees site, and a limestone sculpture for Gilbert Park. Future projects will include a sculpture for Deming Park’s Clark Landsbaum Holly Arboretum, more sculpture along the Arts Corridor and one or more sculpture at future new site of the Vigo County Convention and Visitors Bureau in the Southeast corner of Terre Haute. Many other sites are under discussion and there is widespread interest throughout the community. :: go to top :: How can I become involved in this project? If you are an interested sculptor, funder or if you would like to become involved as a volunteer or intern, please contact us at 812-244-4216 or at info@wabashvalleyartspaces.com :: go to top ::