City art spending figures released

Nearly $14 million worth of public art has been commissioned by the City of Calgary in recent years, according to a report to be presented to council this week.

Since the inception of the public art policy in 2004, the city has completed 26 art projects at a cost of $4.7 million and there are 16 works in progress at a cost of $9 million.

Those numbers come from the city's Public Art Program annual report.

The city mandates that one per cent of the cost of all city capital projects worth over $1 million — not including costs for land, rolling stock like LRT cars and portable equipment like furniture and computers — must be spent on statues, sculptures or other works of art.

"It is a significant commitment to making Calgary a better city," said Ald. Brian Pincott.

"And it's a significant commitment to saying, 'We want Calgarians to experience their city and interact with their city and their community in new and surprising ways.'"