Policy, planning, production, protocols

Commissioning plans are often situated within a strategic socio-political policy frameworks. Artists naturally vary in relation to production methods and some choose to work outside of a pre-existing strategic frameworks.

The above terms: policy, planning, production and protocols have been drawn from industry and business. Each commission will have its own ambition, scope, and parameters. Some easily fit within the traditional project plan framework (aims, artistic/social/corporate objectives, method, process, personnel, procedures, schedule, budgets, contracts, inputs, outputs etc.); other commissions will benefit from a less structured approach.

Local Authorities, government departments, government agencies and arts and independent organisations prepare arts plans within the overall context of their particular visions. They devise policies that provide for commissioning through a range of open and invited competitive procedures in line with procurement directives. Within such policies there is scope to engage artists in policy formation, through residencies, via artistically directed programmes and in partnership with non-arts services. The existence of public art strategies can provide a useful framework within which a range of imaginative commissioning methods are adopted. Arts Officers, Public Art Coordinators and other personnel within the Local Authority can provide a broad and deep range of supports, advice and referral for commissions. Evidence shows that the combined resources within Local Authorities have resulted in the delivery of exceptional commissions which might not have otherwise been realised.

Some artists place high value on artistic autonomy in the belief that in this way their practice retains the strength of its message. Their concern that their work becomes part of the planological strategy of for instance, a regeneration process or that it replaces services that should otherwise be provided by the state, is shared also by agents and citizens. An option for supporting work by artists outside existing strategic frameworks is to hand over the commissioning process to independent agents.

Checklist

• Policy for public art should allow for framing a vision, and for the policy to facilitate the vision.

• Build a group with the necessary skills to deliver the vision.

• Establish markers to evaluate the process.  

• Plan, strategise, timelines, actions and responsibilities.

• Ensure manageable communication and evaluation.

• Include artistic direction and guidance.

• Provide adequate time for research, brief dissemination, feedback, communication.

• Ensure clarity between artists, public, organisations and funders.

• Fulfill contractual responsibilities and statutory obligations.