During the 2011 legislative session, a group of state legislators successfully passed a bill that suspends the Oklahoma Art in Public Places requirement for state agencies to incorporate art into their capital improvement projects. Unfortunately, in a misguided and uninformed attempt to improve the state's general budget deficit, a moratorium was enacted for the fiscal years 2012-2014. The moratorium will not impact the state's general budget in any manner.
Nonetheless, it is important to be clear in determining which capital projects of $250,000 or more are affected by the moratorium during which the art allocation is no longer mandatory. In accordance with Attorney General Opinion 05-37, the applicability of the moratorium depends on when the agency's governing body or executive director has taken some formal action to approve the capital project. If the project is approved during the fiscal years 2012-2014, the mandated allocation for art is suspended.
All capital improvement projects approved by the agency's governing board before July 1, 2011 are subject to the 1.5% allocation for artwork as per 74 O.S. Section 9030 et seq.
If you have questions, please call Oklahoma Art in Public Places Program at 405.522.8959
Moratorium Information
The following is a copy of the Oklahoma Art in Public Places Pogram Guidlines. Program Guidelines
HISTORY
In May, 2004, Governor Brad Henry signed into law Senate Bill
1347, “State of Oklahoma: Art in Public Places Act” a bill
that supports public art in Oklahoma. The new law incorporates artwork
in, on, or near new state buildings or those with major renovation projects.
BACKGROUND
Public art reflects the local environment, cultural values and artistic
vitality of Oklahoma communities. This law offers opportunities
for local artists and also provides a vehicle for Oklahoma communities
to express their identity, spirit and pride. More than 350 public
art programs across the U.S. support projects in airports, libraries,
parks, government buildings and neighborhoods and some 28 states
have public art laws.
REQUIREMENTS
The “State of Oklahoma: Art in Public Places Act” requires that 1 1/2 percent of the cost of construction
or major
renovation of state-owned public buildings approved after September
1, 2004, must be allocated for works of art in or near the project.
The act applies to construction or renovation
projects costing $250,000 or more. The maximum assessment for any one
project is $500,000.
OVERSIGHT
The law requires two oversight committees to ensure that commissioned
art is of the highest quality and meets community standards. The
Oklahoma Historical Society administers the Act in cooperation
with the Oklahoma Arts Council. The law does not apply to water,
sewer or public utility projects or to projects undertaken by public
school districts, prisons or city and county governments.
The following is a copy of the promulgated Oklahoma Art in Public Places Rules and Regulations which were adopted in accordance with the Secretary of State’s Administrative Rules on Rulemaking. Rules and Regulations
The following is a copy of the Oklahoma Art in Public Places Pogram Guidlines. Program Guidelines