A special forum is being held this evening to discuss the future of public art in Chatham-Kent.
Mayor Darrin Canniff says creating a public art policy is an exciting step forward.
“We’ve never had a public art policy before and the municipality’s never had a budget for it. What this is doing, we’re going to lay out the ground rules for public art, the A-Z, so we can go through and start setting up that policy and ultimately look to start funding it.”
The mayor says the goal is to connect artists with local businesses to create more visual interest and engagement across the community.
“We hope to have an arts grant program shortly as well, once we get the policy out,” Canniff says. “When an artist has a great idea to put something up that we have the funds to do that and start beautifying Chatham-Kent.”
Canniff cites an initiative to permanently install the CK metal sign from the 2018 International Plowing Match at the Enbridge Gas offices in Chatham as an example.
Tonight’s meeting at the Cultural Centre will include an interactive art project, explanation of what public art is, and a Q&A session.
The forum runs from 7 until 9 at the Cultural Centre.