Fort Worth Art commissioners are hashing out ways to support and defend public art projects in the city’s proposed 2026 bond program, under consideration by the City Council. Staff and commissioners, at their June 23 meeting, raised concerns that public art funds could be reduced in the bond program.
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Regular Meeting
Documenter name: Tekisha Hobbs
Agency: Fort Worth Art Commission
Date: June 23, 2025
See more about this meeting at Documenters.org.
Fort Worth Art commissioners attending:
- Maggie Adler, art professional (curator), chair
- Libby Tilley Hogg, community representative, vice chair
- Denise Turner, community representative
- Dr. Jennifer G. Brooks, community representative
- Lorie Kinler, art professional/design
- Philip Newburn, art professional/design
- Jessica Fuentes, art professional/artist
- Branigan Contreras, community representative
- Bernardo Vallarino, art professional
Support staff:
- Anne Allen, public art program manager
- Trey Qualls, Fort Worth assistant city attorney
- Michelle Richardson, public art project manager
- Michelle Gonzales, public art project manager
- Alida Labbe, public art project manager
- Open meeting: Adler declares quorum is present and opens meeting.
- Chairperson’s report:
- Commissioner Vallarino has been appointed as commissioner to the Westhaven Community Park public art project, and Commissioner Denise Turner has been appointed to the Stop Six MLK Community Center Hub public art project.
- Chairperson Adler spoke about the status of public art in the 2026 bond program, under consideration by the Fort Worth City Council. “We are dismayed to hear conversations in public meetings about the potential further reduction of the public art program in the new bond package.”
- Under the current proposed bond program, $10 million will be committed to public art, including 1% from the streets and 2% from other propositions. There has been talk of adding public art as a stand-alone proposition which, if not approved by voters, could mean that the money will be reallocated to other city projects.
- Adler said one of the major criticisms that she has heard from the mayor and City Council is that Texas artists did not create past art projects. She provided the numbers to refute this claim:
- 73% of the projects have been completed by Texas artists.
- 38% of these artists are from Fort Worth.
- 29% are from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
- 33% are from elsewhere in the state of Texas.
- Talking points have been prepared for the commissioners to present to their respective council members in support of the arts in the bond program.
Consent item:
- A motion was made to approve Milagros Collective as the selected project artist and Melissa Borrell as the alternate artist for the Everman Parkway public art project. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. This project will be located at 425 W. Everman Parkway.
- Presentation – How Public Art Locations are Selected
Alida Labbe provided an overview of the steps taken when considering where a public art location should be. Here are some highlights from that presentation:
- Projects are typically bond-funded. Public art is a percentage of each project and is incorporated into infrastructure projects. Current funding levels are 1% from street improvements and 2% from park, library, police, fire and animal control.
- Planning considerations include visual impact (site and scale), geographic distribution of the art, opportunities for local emerging public artists, and the need for larger budgets, as funds will need to be pooled from other sources.
- What makes a site viable — or not — for art? Surroundings are considered, including easements, underground and overhead utilities, nearby developments, clutter, as well as public accessibility and/or engagement. In other words, will this project be designed for motorists or pedestrians?
- Timeline. There is currently no final list of projects, due to ongoing discussions about funding. But once a list has been presented to the Fort Worth Art Commission, the chair will seek input from individual council members. Public hearings will be held to gather feedback, and the City Council will complete the 2026 bond program, followed by a call for elections in May 2026.
Questions from commissioners:
- Are funds from property tax used to pay for public art? Labbe answered that, historically speaking, all funding for arts projects have come from bonds. Additionally, funding has been provided by the Fort Worth Water Department. To date, the department has funded 60 projects. Some funding has also come from private sources. No art projects are funded through the city’s general fund.
- Is a set of criteria/checklists used for selecting sites? Labbe answered that there are no formal criteria or checklists used, except for those outlined in the “What Makes a Site Viable for Art” slide.
Staff reports and announcements:
- Michelle Robinson reported that these projects have all been authorized for commission, including Meacham Corridor, Northwest Patrol Division and Eastchase Parkway. Each of these installations is expected to be completed by spring 2026.
- Robinson also reported status updates on some projects, including:
- Marine Creek Parkway: The foundation has been drilled, and installation is expected to be completed by July 7.
- Horne Street trash cans: Fort Worth Neighborhood Services project. These cans will be back on-site soon.
- Michelle Gonzales also provided updates on the Sycamore Park project — about 50% complete. Installation is expected to take place next week (this meeting was June 23), with no specific date set at this time.
- Anne Allen provided an update on Gateway Park. She said she had an opportunity to tour the area of the park that is eligible for the funding to scout the best location for the installation.
- Betsy Price Community Center will have its grand opening on Saturday, June 28, at 10 a.m.
Public comments:
Debby Stein, founder of Riverside Arts District, spoke about an interactive installation on Race Street. The art was installed incorrectly, and she wants it removed because she feels like it is a safety hazard and embarrassment.
Commissioner announcements:
Chair Adler has been appointed to the Smithsonian Institute’s board of regents and to the board of trustees of the Archives of American Art. This is a four-year term that requires approval from the presidential administration.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at scott.nishimura@fortworthreport.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.
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