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Sarasota News Leader May 17, 2013 Page 37 THE ART OF PUBLIC ART phase of 35 moorings was opened for use last November, and commissioners told staff to A film producer will open the evening commiswait a year to see how it was working before sion session with something a little different committing to putting in another 35 in Phase than the usual presentation of the "Employee Two. of the Month Award." Ted Gola's project, originally titled, Art Honesty, examines several The cost of the next set of moorings is esticontroversial issues concerning Sarasota's mated at $218,000, and it will be funded by a public art scene. At its heart, his film looks grant from the West Coast Inland Navigation at "a community where art is invested to be District. The WCIND also footed the cost of consumed but not so much nurtured to grow the first phase. However, construction delays in Phase One pushed back the use of the grant locally," he explains in a statement. for Phase Two, which is set to expire on Sept. "The overarching conflict is that of art ver- 30. sus money. Younger artists as well as minority groups struggle to have a share in the city's If the city does not push ahead with Phase decision-making process regarding public Two, the money could be lost. The staff memo art due to the lack of money," the statement says, "Noting the funding shortfall being expecontinues. "Art has become business; in our rienced by the WCIND, staff is concerned that documentary we are exploring the intricate in- if the city does not move forward with Phase terrelationship and conflict between the two, 2 construction before the expiration of the exusing multiple case studies that include public isting grant that funding for Phase 3 may also be in jeopardy." art and recent developments." In other words, staff is saying if the commisThe item was placed on the agenda at the resion waits as it wants — to see a full year's set quest of Commissioner Shannon Snyder, and of books — it may lose the WCIND grants to it does not call for any specific action. finish the project. GET IT BEFORE IT'S GONE Under New Business at the end of the meeting comes a request for guidance by city staffers on how to proceed with the next phase of the downtown bayfront mooring field. The first The mooring field is operated by Jack Graham Inc. as a franchise for the city. If the mooring field loses money, the city is obligated to cover a majority of those losses by paying Jack Graham Inc. % facebook.com/SarasotaNewsLeader