Arts, Historic Preservation and Philanthropy Committee highlights

The City of Columbia’s Arts, Historic Preservation and Philanthropy Committee met on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, to review the first public art project to be presented to the committee, since the implementation of the new public art placement policy in the City of Columbia.

Abby Naas, Executive Director of The Vista Guild, presented a potential large-scale public art project that would beautify and lighten the Lincoln Street Tunnel. The focus of the large-scale project is to incorporate art and lighting in the Lincoln Street Tunnel that would encourage the public to utilize the Vista Greenway, promote travel to Finlay Park, and enhance safety/visibility in the area. The project aims to be done in the fall of 2025, which is the same estimated completion time of Finlay Park.

The Vista Guild received a donation of $150,000 for a large-scale public art project, and all of the funds will go towards the construction and implementation of this project. The project has received support from surrounding neighborhood associations, Arsenal Hill and The Vista Neighborhood Association.

The Arts, Historic Preservation and Philanthropy Committee endorsed the public art project at today’s committee meeting. The Vista Guild, in partnership with One Columbia, will now go through a request for proposal to secure an artist and come up with a design of the project.

Attached is more information about the Lincoln Street Tunnel project and examples of several lighting installations in the U.S.

The Arts, Historic Preservation and Philanthropy Committee is comprised of the following City Council members: At-Large Councilman Tyler D. Bailey (Chair), District 1 Councilwoman Tina N. Herbert, and District 2 Councilman Edward H. McDowell, Jr.

Here is a link to the full meeting on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/X45u5HDSToA?feature=share.