Department
Arts and Culture
Requested Action (Identify appropriate Action or Motion, purpose, cost, timeframe, etc.)
title
Request approval to accept the Co-Marketing Agreement grant in the amount of $40,000.00 from Microsoft Corporation (Redmond, WA) to support the operation of the recently launched Public Art Futures Lab. The grant does not require a cash match. (APPROVED UPON ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA)
body
Requirement for Board Action (Cite specific Board policy, statute or code requirement)
Official Code of Georgia Section 36-10-1: All official contracts entered into by the County governing authority and with other persons on behalf of the County shall be in writing and entered in its minutes.
Strategic Priority Area related to this item (If yes, note strategic priority area below)
Arts and Libraries
Commission Districts Affected
All Districts ☒
District 1 ☐
District 2 ☐
District 3 ☐
District 4 ☐
District 5 ☐
District 6 ☐
Is this a purchasing item?
No
Summary & Background (First sentence includes Agency recommendation. Provide an executive summary of the action that gives an overview of the relevant details for the item.)
Request acceptance of a grant and approval of the Co-Marketing Agreement in the amount of $40,000 with Microsoft Corporation (Redmond, WA) support the and marketing needs of the Public Art Futures Lab, a new initiative led by the Public Art Program. The agreement would require the County to:
• Recognize Microsoft as the ‘Official Technology Partner’ of the Public Art Futures Lab;
• Use $25,000 of the $40,000 grant to onboard a third-party creative agency to capture content throughout the Artist-in-Residency Program for use by Microsoft and the County (an RFP has already been posted via BidNet); and
• The County will not partner with any of the following Microsoft competitors in connection with the Public Art Futures Lab; Apple, Google, Amazon/AWS, IBM, HP, Intel, Salesforce, Oracle, Samsung and SAP.
The term of this Agreement starts on the Effective Date and terminates one (1) year thereafter, with an option to renew for an additional one (1) year upon mutual agreement of the parties
Scope of Work: The Public Art Futures Lab is a physical and online space to exhibit, experiment, educate and experience the role of technology and its intersection with public art. By reducing barriers to create and participate in these emerging forms of art, the Lab seeks to expand access to cultural enrichment for our residents, provide the tools for artists to thrive in a digital economy, and ensure Fulton County Government and the Atlanta region take a national role in leading the broader adoption of technology in the arts.
While there are existing private innovation labs offered by universities, technology companies and museums, the Lab is the first Government-led space of its kind in the United States.
Objectives of the Lab
The Lab’s mission will be achieved through four key functions:
1. Education - Training artists to utilize technology through knowledge sharing and reducing the cost barriers to participating.
2. Exhibit and Experiment - Explore new spaces and opportunities for public art using emerging technology through an artist-in-residence program.
3. Offer Experiences - Engage with new audiences and ‘future’ artists (school aged children) in innovative ways, especially those who encounter barriers to participating in more traditional art experiences.
4. Connect and catalyze - Connect artists with commercial opportunities and catalyze new futures in public art that inspire audiences. Examples may include establishing public-private partnerships with media and tech companies, universities, other art agencies to create a job pipeline for emerging artists wanting a sustainable career in the arts.
Artist-in-Residence (AiR) Program
One of the components of the Lab is an Artist-in-Residence (AiR) Program. Our AiR Program supports local artists from the Atlanta Metro Area who utilize technology as a critical component of their artistic practice. The residency provides space for artistic experimentation around a theme and connects artists to a growing creative community. A total of three artists will be provided with a stipend, space, and equipment for 14 weeks with the resources and time needed to advance their craft and develop innovative works at the intersection of art + tech that contribute to the cultural vibrancy of Fulton County.
Along with Microsoft, the Department has partnered with MARTA Artbound (MARTA’s public art program), and Arts & Entertainment Atlanta (an initiative managed by the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District). Together these partners are providing all the funding needed to manage the residency, meaning there is no cost to the County.
In addition to the partners listed in the above table, Underground Atlanta have committed to providing physical space for the Lab at no cost for 1 year.
The Department is also partnering with Georgia State University - Creative Media Industries Institute, The Spelman Innovation Lab, and Georgia Tech Arts. Collectively, they will support the Lab's mission to democratize access to the creation and participation in this emerging form of art. In turn, we seek to provide opportunities for their students for work and exhibit projects beyond the classroom to the benefit of Fulton County residents and local artists.
Community Impact: $15,000 of the grant is dedicated to the operation of the Artist-in-Residence Program and will include direct payments to local artists, purchase of equipment and materials from County vendors, and enhance the County’s outreach and engagement efforts with residents.
Department Recommendation: Acceptance of the grant and approval of the Co-Marketing Agreement
Project Implications: Should the County decline the offer, it would limit the Department’s ability to fully support local artists and the ability to reach our residents.
Community Issues/Concerns: NA
Department Issues/Concerns: NA