Council members hope public art can help the city diversify its visitor attractions along the lines of larger cities such as Chicago and Richmond where murals and other public art projects have proved to be tourism draws.
The city of Williamsburg may be getting a new public art installation soon.
During a work session on Monday, Jan. 11, City Council discussed plans to establish a nine-member Public Art Council to oversee the creation of new art works in the city.
The fund would be established via a one-time allocation of $165,000 from COVID-19 Tourism Resiliency Funds, according to DeWitt.
The Public Art Council would have the authorization to spend 10% of the figure annually, however, it would need City Council approval to spend more in a given year.
The Public Art Council itself would comprise of two City Council members, a member of the Architectural Review Board, a planning commission member, the Economic Development Agency, the Williamsburg Area Arts Commission, a member of the Tourism Development Grant Review Committee, and two appointees from the community.
COVID-19 rocks region
Historically, the Times Herald polls staff on the top 10 stories of the year to compile the list. This year, however, the poll only included places 2 through 10, as there was no question to what the top story of the year would be â the COVID-19 pandemic.
SARS-CoV-2, better known as COVID-19 or coronavirus, was first reported in China in December 2019. The first local mention of the disease was published in the Times Herald on Jan. 27, with health officials reporting they were trying to prepare for the disease if it came to the area.
It was not a case of if, but when.
Former York youth home to be converted to fire station responding to northern Williamsburg, mutual aid calls dailypress.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailypress.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.