Subject
title
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Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Maryland State Arts Council Public Art Conservation Grant on behalf of Mayor and Council
Department
City Manager's Office (CMO)
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Mayor and Council authorize the City Manager to sign on behalf of the Mayor and Council a Maryland State Arts Council Public Art Conservation Grant.
Discussion
The City of Rockville’s Art in Public Places collection of public artworks should be regularly maintained to preserve the integrity of the works, prevent safety liabilities, and protect the City’s investment in the collection. In December 2024, staff applied to the Maryland State Arts Council Public Art Conservation grant program and requested funding in the amount of $30,000 to conserve, restore, and maintain five artworks in the City’s Art in Public Places collection:
• Untitled, a mural by M. Albertini (Lincoln Park Community Center)
• Untitled, a sculpture by J. Ferguson (James Monroe Park)
• Taking Flight, a sculpture by M. Billings (Twinbrook Community Recreation Center)
• Blossom, a sculpture by W. Healy (Intersection of Park Road and S. Stonestreet Ave)
• Rockville, a sculpture by N. Brennan (Monument Park)
Rockville has received and completed 27 of these grant awards in the past.
Staff were notified on March 3, 2025, that a grant of $30,000 had been awarded. The grant is conditional and requires electronic signature through an online platform. Pending approval and acceptance, work will be conducted in the summer 2025 through the end of the grant period in September 2026.
Public Notification and Engagement
Public notification of the work to conserve, restore, and maintain the works will be made by signage posted at each work site in advance of the scheduled work. Residents are also being notified by their civic or community associations and other public information channels available to the city.
Boards and Commissions Review
The Cultural Arts Commission was notified of the grant being awarded at its March 2025 meeting.
Fiscal Impact
The grant award is $30,000 and funds one hundred percent of the conservation work with no required match from the city. This amount is based on the quotes from the conservator and was the basis for the grant application. The grant revenue will be allocated to the Art in Public Places account within the Special Activities Fund and will require appropriations for spending.
Next Steps
Mayor and Council must vote on whether to provide authority for the City Manager to sign and accept the grant award on behalf of the City. After the vote providing such approval, the City will be able to accept the award and work may proceed.
Attachments
Application submitted to the Maryland State Arts Council for the Conservation Grant.
Guidelines for the Maryland State Arts Council Conservation Grant program.