Art – University Public Art Committee | Facilities Management

University Public Art Committee Overview

The University Public Art Committee (UPAC) acts as a central review mechanism for works of art proposed for placement on the CSU campus. UPAC fosters the enrichment of the university’s visual environment while helping to assure that only works of public art of an appropriately high standard become part of the university environment permanently or temporarily. To assist in upholding appropriate standards, UPAC developed public art guidelines and set of procedures that govern the selection process for public art on campus. Any work of art added to CSU’s public art collection must be reviewed through UPAC. In particular, UPAC aims to stimulate a dynamic public art presence not only on the university campus itself, but also in the City of Fort Collins, paying particular attention to areas of intersection where the city and the university come together.

UPAC is a subcommittee of the Physical Development Committee. Members meet on an as-needed basis to review public artwork proposals through the university public art process. The committee coordinates and works closely with stakeholders on campus responsible for bringing art to the university. The public art collection is just one of several collections on campus. Collaboration in carrying out guidelines and procedures will include CSU Facilities Management, the Department of Art and Art History, the Office of Advancement, and the City of Fort Collins, among others. Many of these offices have representation on UPAC. Additionally, members engage in the public art selection process for state-funded projects as needed. UPAC strives to operate on a timely and responsive basis relative to university units, donors, and others. Contact UPAC for any questions regarding the schedule.

Committee Membership

Lynn Boland, Director and Chief Curator, Gregory Allicar Museum of Art
Gargi Duttgupta, Campus Planner, Facilities Management
Xinran Yuan, Director of Exhibitions and Community Engagement, Department of Art & Art History
Not filled – ASCSU Representative, Associated Students of Colorado State University
Jessica Kramer, Landscape Architect and Environmental Graphic Designer, Facilities Management (Chair)
Ellen Martin, Visual Arts Administrator, Lincoln Center and City of Fort Collins
Jarad Heintzelman, Senior Graphic Designer, University Marketing and Communications
Kate Wyman, Senior Graphic Designer, University Advancement Engagement
Doug Sink, Program Manager, Lory Student Center Arts Program, Campus Activities
Julia Innes, Facilities Management Program Assistant for the committee

CSU Public Art Resources

University Public Art Policy – Establishes a process for reviewing, funding, and siting art proposed for installation in public spaces.
University Public Art Procedures – Describes the criteria and processes involved in the selection, acquisition, presentation, maintenance, preservation, and removal of public art displayed by the university.
Colorado State University Public Art Proposal Form – Outlines the information required for all submitted proposals. NOTE: Any proposal should be submitted with this form a MINIMUM of four months before the requestor’s desired installation date. Several other CSU committee may be required to review and approve the proposal and their agendas often fill quickly.
Master List of CSU’s Public Art
CSU Policy 2-1778-001 Art Museum Collections Management

Process for Unsolicited Art Proposals

Step 1: Submission of Proposal Form

Students, faculty, staff and University units submit initial proposals for public art displays to the Chair of UPAC or Office of Advancement.

Proposals from individuals or organizations outside of the University must be made in collaboration with a University partner before they submit initial proposals for public art displays to UPAC or Office of Advancement.

Step 2: Preliminary Review

The Chair of the UPAC/Office of Advancement will conduct a preliminary review of the request to determine whether it is ready to be submitted to the full Committee for review.

Option A:

If the proposed art comes with funding and has the adequate information identified on the form, the proposal will proceed to step 3.

Option B:

If the Chair of the UPAC/Office of Advancement determines that it is not ready to be submitted to the full Committee for review because the proposed art doesn’t have identified funding or has other missing information, then the proposal will be returned to the requesting unit for further revision. The requesting unit is responsible for supplementing, revising and re-submitting as necessary. RETURN TO STEP 1.

Step 3: Communicate and Cooperate with Relevant Stakeholders

UPAC Chair will forward the art proposal to the CSU Campus Planning team and the CSU Office of Advancement for review to prevent unintended crossover of procedures or interference with development and other fundraising opportunities.

For public works of art (interior or exterior), Building Proctors, Department Heads, and Deans potentially affected by site locations should be notified early in the site-selection process for input and to avoid any potential controversies.

For proposed outdoor works of art, approval is required prior to acceptance by Facilities Management Campus Planning team.

For proposed indoor works of art, approval is required prior to acceptance by Facilities Architecture group, the CSU Space Committee, and the appropriate building proctor.

Step 4: Committee Review

UPAC reviews the written proposal.

Step 5: Written Report of UPAC’s Recommendation

If UPAC deems the proposal is suitable for consideration and meets the full criteria outlined in Procedures, then UPAC will submit a written report of its findings and recommendations, either accepting or declining acceptance of the artwork.

Option A:

UPAC approves the University’s acceptance of the artwork.

Option B:

UPAC declines the University’s acceptance of the artwork. Applicants may appeal the decision through the Physical Development Committee for further review. The Vice President of Operations may, at their discretion, overrule UPAC or the PDC and approve the University’s acceptance of the artwork.

Option C:

UPAC determines the proposal is not ready for recommendation and returns it to the requesting unit for further information or revision (e.g., changes in design, concept, or proposed site). The requesting unit is responsible for supplementing, revising and resubmitting as necessary. RETURN TO STEP 1.

Step 6: Notification

Following UPAC’s review and determination, the Chair of UPAC will notify the proposal initiator of CSU’s decision.

STEP 7: Acceptance by UPAC

Upon receipt of final approval of the proposal, UPAC and Facilities Management will work with the applicant and artist/donor to finalize the contract and arrange for installation.

For more information about UPAC or the University Public Art Collection, please contact Jessica Kramer at 970-657-3919 or fac_upac@colostate.edu.

Public Art at CSU

Colorado State University (CSU) aims to enhance the campus environment through the acquisition and display of public art. Public displays of art by institutions of higher education should aspire to enlighten and enrich the lives of students, employees, alumni, and all visitors alike. Identifying works of public art operates equivalently to projects of research and publication in a variety of academic disciplines. As such, public art seeks to give visual and physical form to core values of the university, such as freedom of speech and expression, alongside respect for diverse viewers and users, and the creation of a stimulating yet safe environment. Stewardship for the existing collection of public art—and for all works entering the university’s collection in the future—is an integral consideration, as is caring for the value of the public art as a collection. To that end, the University Public Art Committee (UPAC) works to assure that all works of public art placed on campus reflect the university’s commitment to excellence, while also evaluating appropriate long‐ or short‐term care for these works. By actively expanding the collection and display of public art throughout the campus, the university endeavors to create a physical and aesthetic environment that captures CSU’s rich heritage, diversity, and enduring pursuit of knowledge. Explore the diverse artwork that CSU has in its public art collection or view it on the CSU interactive map.

Some of our public art is funded through the Colorado Art in Public Places Program, which allocates one-percent (1%) of capital construction funds for new or renovated state buildings. Learn more information about this program by visiting the Colorado Creative Industries overview of the Art in Public Places Program.

Read this November 2021 SOURCE article about one of CSU’s recent works of public art, Good Earth, sculpted by Roxanne Swentzell.