Linn County public art ordinance passes

A public art ordinance is now on the books in Linn County.

The ordinance, passsed by Linn Supervisors on Monday, will establish a nine-member public art commission to identify and hire artists who will create original work for new or rebuilt county buildings.

All capital improvement projects costing $50,000 or more will be sent before the Board of Supervisors, who will decide whether each qualifies for public art. Those that qualify will be required to use 1 percent of their costs for public art, unless the supervisors decide to allocate a different percentage.

According to the ordinance, public art could include sculpture, fountains, bas-reliefs, mosaics, frescoes, wall hangings, crafts, photography, pictures or other enhancements to be integrated into the total environment of the building.

Next week the supervisors will discuss appointments to the commission.