HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-01-16 I01F_03 Professional Services Agr_Public Art Master PlanAGENDA ITEM:
CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING COMMUNICATION
MEETING DATE: January 16, 2023
AGENDA ITEM:Approving Agreement for Professional Services with Group Creative Services
[2023 Public Art Master Plan]
FORMAT:Consent Agenda
SYNOPSIS INCLUDING PRO & CON: The City of Waukee sought proposals for consultants to
assist in the development of a public art master plan. Group Creative Services submitted a proposal
that is similar to the scope of services and price of other plans completed in the Des Moines metro
area. This master plan is required before the City of Waukee can apply for any public art grants
FISCAL IMPACT INCLUDING COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS: The development of a public art
master plan will cost $31,200. This will make the City of Waukee eligible to
apply for future public art grants
COMMISSION/BOARD/COMMITTEE COMMENT:
STAFF REVIEW AND COMMENT:
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval
ATTACHMENTS: I. Proposed Resolution
II. Agreement for Professional Services
PREPARED BY: Nick Osborne
REVIEWED BY: Nick Osborne
PUBLIC NOTICE INFORMATION –
NAME OF PUBLICATION:
DATE OF PUBLICATION:
I1F3
THE CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA
RESOLUTION 2023-
APPROVING AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES WITH
GROUP CREATIVE SERVICES [2023 PUBLIC ART MASTER PLAN]
IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA
WHEREAS, the City of Waukee, Dallas County, State of Iowa, is a duly organized Municipal
Organization; AND,
WHEREAS, the City desires to retain consulting services from Group Creative Services for
completion of a public art master plan; AND,
WHEREAS, the scope of services consists of conducting online surveys, focus groups and
interviews, crafting mission and vision statements, authoring a three-to-five year art and culture
plan, and conducting a call for artists for one site with a minimum of three concepts;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Waukee that the
Agreement for Professional Consulting Services between Group Creative Services and the City
of Waukee, Iowa [2023 Public Art Master Plan] is hereby approved.
Passed by the City Council of the City of Waukee, Iowa, and approved the 16th day of January,
2023.
____________________________
Courtney Clarke, Mayor
Attest:
___________________________________
Rebecca D. Schuett, City Clerk
RESULTS OF VOTE: AYE NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
Anna Bergman Pierce
R. Charles Bottenberg
Chris Crone
Larry R. Lyon
Ben Sinclair
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AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES
(PUBLIC ART MASTER PLAN)
This Agreement is made and entered into this ____ day of ____________, 2023, by and between
City of Waukee, a municipal corporation, hereinafter referred to as "City," and __Group Creative
Services party of the second part, hereinafter referred to as "Consultant" as follows:
THE CITY HEREBY AGREES TO RETAIN THE CONSULTANT FOR THE PROJECT AS
DESCRIBED IN THIS AGREEMENT AND CONSULTANT AGREES TO PERFORM THE
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND FURNISH THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION FOR
THE PROJECT AS GENERALLY DESCRIBED IN THIS AGREEMENT.
1.SCOPE OF SERVICES
Services provided under this Agreement shall be as further described in Attachment 1, Scope
of Services.
2.SCHEDULE
The schedule of the professional services to be performed shall conform to the Schedule set
forth in Attachment 1. Any deviations from the Schedule shall be approved by the authorized
City representative. The City agrees that the Consultant is not responsible for delays arising
from a change in the scope of services, a change in the scale of the Project or delays resulting
from causes not directly or indirectly related to the actions of the Consultant.
3.COMPENSATION
A.In consideration of the professional services provided herein, the City agrees to pay the
Consultant $__31,200____, including any authorized reimbursable expenses, pursuant to
the Schedule of Fees set forth in Attachment 1.
B.The Consultant shall invoice the City monthly for services, any reimbursable expenses
and any approved amendments to this Agreement, based upon services actually
completed at the time of the invoice. Final payment shall be due and payable within 30
days of the City's acceptance of Consultant's submission of final deliverables in
accordance with the Scope of Services.
C.In consideration of the compensation paid to the Consultant, the Consultant agrees to
perform all professional services to the satisfaction of the City by performing the
professional services in a manner consistent with that degree of care and skill ordinarily
exercised by members of Consultant's profession currently practicing under similar
circumstances. If the performance of this Agreement involves the services of others or the
furnishing of equipment, supplies, or materials, the Consultant agrees to pay for the same
in full.
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4.INSURANCE
A.Consultant understands and agrees that Consultant shall have no right of coverage under
any and all existing or future City comprehensive, self or personal injury policies.
Consultant shall provide insurance coverage for and on behalf of Consultant that will
sufficiently protect Consultant or Consultant' representative(s) in connection with the
professional services which are to be provided by Consultant pursuant to this Agreement,
including protection from claims for bodily injury, death, property damage, and lost
income. Consultant shall provide worker's compensation insurance coverage for
Consultant and all Consultant's personnel. Consultant shall file applicable insurance
certificates with the City, and shall also provide evidence of the following additional
coverage.
B.The Consultant shall provide evidence of professional liability insurance, by an insurance
company licensed to do business in the State of Iowa, in the limit of $1,000,000 for
claims arising out of the professional liability of the Consultant. Consultant shall provide
City written notice within five (5) days by registered mail, return receipt requested of the
cancellation or material alteration of the professional liability policy.
C.Failure of Consultant to maintain any of the insurance coverages set forth above shall
constitute a material breach of this Agreement.
5.NOTICE
Any notice to the parties required under this agreement shall be in writing, delivered to the
person designated below, by United States mail or in hand delivery, at the indicated address
unless otherwise designated in writing.
FOR THE CITY: FOR THE CONSULTANT:
Name: City of Waukee Name: Group Creative Services
Attn: Nick Osborne Attn: Teva Dawson
Title: Assistant City Administrator Title: Owner
Address: 230 W. Hickman Road Address: 1424 48th St.
City, State: Waukee, IA 50263 City, State: Des Moines IA
6.GENERAL COMPLIANCE
In the conduct of the professional services contemplated hereunder, the Consultant shall
comply with applicable state, federal, and local law, rules, and regulations, technical
standards, or specifications issued by the City. Consultant must qualify for and obtain any
required licenses prior to commencement of work, including any professional licenses
necessary to perform work within the State of Iowa.
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7.STANDARD OF CARE
Services provided by the Consultant under this Agreement shall be performed in a manner
consistent with that degree of care and skill ordinarily exercised by members of the same
profession currently practicing under similar circumstances.
8.INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
Consultant understands and agrees that the Consultant and Consultant's employees and
representatives are not City employees. Consultant shall be solely responsible for payment of
salaries, wages, payroll taxes, unemployment benefits, or any other form of compensation or
benefit to Consultant or Consultant's employees, representatives or other personnel
performing the professional services specified herein, whether it be of a direct or indirect
nature. Further, it is expressly understood and agreed that for such purposes neither
Consultant nor Consultant's employees, representatives or other personnel shall be entitled to
any City payroll, insurance, unemployment, worker's compensation, retirement, or any other
benefits whatsoever.
9.NON-DISCRIMINATION
Consultant will not discriminate against any employee of applicant for employment because
of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, handicap, or veteran status. Consultant will,
where appropriate or required, take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed,
and that employees are treated, during employment, without regard to their race, color, sex,
or national origin, religion, age, handicap, or veteran status. Consultant will cooperate with
the City in using Consultant's best efforts to ensure that Disadvantaged Business Enterprises
are afforded the maximum opportunity to compete for subcontracts of work under this
Agreement.
10.HOLD HARMLESS
Consultant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the City, its officers, agents, and
employees from any and all claims, settlements and judgments, to include all reasonable
investigative fees, attorney's fees, and court costs for any damage or loss which is due to or
arises from a breach of this Agreement, or from negligent acts, errors or omissions in the
performance of professional services under this Agreement and those of its sub consultants or
anyone for whom Consultant is legally liable.
11.ASSIGNMENT
Consultant shall not assign or otherwise transfer this Agreement or any right or obligations
therein without first receiving prior written consent of the City.
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12.APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS
The funds appropriated for this Agreement are equal to or exceed the compensation to be
paid to Consultant. The City's continuing obligations under this Agreement may be subject to
appropriation of funding by the City Council. In the event that sufficient funding is not
appropriated in whole or in part for continued performance of the City's obligations under
this Agreement, or if appropriated funding is not expended due to City spending limitations,
the City may terminate this Agreement without further compensation to the Consultant. To
the greatest extent allowed by law, the City shall compensate Consultant as provided in
Section 18(6) of this Agreement.
13.AUTHORIZED AMENDMENTS TO AGREEMENT
A.The Consultant and the City acknowledge and agree that no amendment to this
Agreement or other form, order or directive may be issued by the City which requires
additional compensable work to be performed if such work causes the aggregate amount
payable under the amendment, order or directive to exceed the amount appropriated for
this Agreement as listed in Section 3, above, unless the Consultant has been given a
written assurance by the City that lawful appropriation to cover the costs of the additional
work has been made.
B.The Consultant and the City further acknowledge and agree that no amendment to this
Agreement or other form, order or directive which requires additional compensable work
to be performed under this Agreement shall be issued by the City unless funds are
available to pay such additional costs, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any
additional compensation for any additional compensable work performed under this
Agreement. The Consultant expressly waives any right to additional compensation,
whether in law or equity, unless prior to commencing the additional work the Consultant
was given a written amendment, order or directive describing the additional compensable
work to be performed and setting forth the amount of compensation to be paid, such
amendment, order or directive to be signed by the authorized City representative. It is the
Consultant's sole responsibility to know, determine, and ascertain the authority of the
City representative signing any amendment, directive or order.
14.OWNERSHIP OF CONSULTING DOCUMENTS
All sketches, tracings, plans, specifications, reports, and other data prepared under this
Agreement shall become the property of the City; a reproducible set shall be delivered to the
City at no additional cost to the City upon completion of the plans or termination of the
services of the Consultant. All drawings and data shall be transmitted in a durable material,
with electronic files provided when feasible to do so. The Consultant's liability for use of the
sketches, tracings, plans, specifications, reports, and other data prepared under this
Agreement shall be limited to the Project.
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15.INTERPRETATION
No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be valid unless expressed in writing
and executed by the parties hereto in the same manner as the execution of the Agreement.
This is a completely integrated Agreement and contains the entire agreement of the parties;
any prior written or oral agreements shall be of no force or effect and shall not be binding
upon either party. The laws of the State of Iowa shall govern and any judicial action under
the terms of this Agreement shall be exclusively within the jurisdiction of the district court
for Dallas County, Iowa.
16.COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW
To the extent any federal appropriation has or will be provided for the Project, or any federal
requirement is imposed on the Project, Consultant agrees that Consultant will comply with all
relevant laws, rules and regulations imposed on City and/or Consultant necessary for receipt
of the federal appropriation. Consultant shall provide appropriate certification regarding
Consultant's compliance.
17.SOLICITATION AND PERFORMANCE
A.The Consultant warrants that it has not employed or retained any company or person,
other than a bona fide employee working for the Consultant, to solicit or secure this
Agreement, and that the Consultant has not paid or agreed to pay any company or person
other than a bona fide employee, any fee, commission, percentage, brokerage fee, gift or
contingent fee.
B.The Consultant shall not engage the services of any person or persons in the employ of
the City at the time of commencing such services without the written consent of the City.
18.SUSPENSION AND TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
A.The right is reserved by the City to suspend this Agreement at any time. Such suspension
may be effected by the City giving written notice to the Consultant, and shall be effective
as of the date established in the suspension notice. Payment for Consultant's services
shall be made by the City for services performed to the date established in the suspension
notice. Should the City reinstate the work after notice of suspension, such reinstatement
may be accomplished by thirty (30) days written notice within a period of six (6) months
after such suspension, unless this period is extended by written consent of the Consultant.
B.Upon ten (10) days written notice to the Consultant, the City may terminate the
Agreement at any time if it is found that reasons beyond the control of either the City or
Consultant make it impossible or against the City's interest to complete the Agreement. In
such case, the Consultant shall have no claims against the City except for the value of the
work performed up to the date the Agreement is terminated.
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C.The City may also terminate this Agreement at any time if it is found that the Consultant
has violated any material term or condition of this Agreement or that Consultant has
failed to maintain workers' compensation insurance or other insurance provided for in
this Agreement. In the event of such default by the Consultant, the City may give ten (10)
days written notice to the Consultant of the City's intent to terminate the Agreement.
Consultant shall have ten (10) days from notification to remedy the conditions
constituting the default.
D.In the event that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with paragraph C of this
section, the City may take possession of any work and may complete any work by
whatever means the City may select. The cost of completing said work shall be deducted
from the balance which would have been due to the Consultant had the Agreement not
been terminated and work completed in accordance with contract documents.
E.The Consultant may terminate this Agreement if it is found that the City has violated any
material term or condition of this Agreement. In the event of such default by the City, the
Consultant shall give ten (10) days written notice to the City of the Consultant's intent to
terminate the Agreement. City shall have ten (10) days from notification to remedy the
conditions constituting the default.
19.TAXES
The Consultant shall pay all sales and use taxes required to be paid to the State of Iowa on
the work covered by this Agreement. The Consultant shall execute and deliver and shall
cause any sub-consultant or subcontractor to execute and deliver to the City certificates as
required to permit the City to make application for refunds of said sales and use taxes as
applicable. The City is a municipal corporation and not subject to state and local tax, use tax,
or federal excise taxes.
20.SEVERABILITY
If any portion of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent
jurisdiction, the remaining portions of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.
21.MISCELLANEOUS HEADINGS
Title to articles, paragraphs, and subparagraphs are for information purposes only and shall
not be considered a substantive part of this Agreement.
22.FURTHER ASSURANCES
Each party hereby agrees to execute and deliver such additional instruments and documents
and to take all such other action as the other party may reasonably request from time to time
in order to effect the provisions and purposes of this Agreement.
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23.COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall
constitute an original document, no other counterpart needing to be produced, and all of
which when taken together shall constitute the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly
authorized officers or agents on the day and year first above written.
CONSULTANT CITY OF WAUKEE
By: _________________________ By: _____________________
Name: Teva Dawson, Group Creative Courtney Clarke, Mayor
Title: Owner
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ATTACHMENT 1- GROUP CREATIVE SERVICES PROPOSAL
SCOPE OF SERVICES, PROJECT SCHEDULE, AND SCHEDULE OF FEES
CITY OF WAUKEE
ART & CULTURE PLAN
PROPOSAL BY GROUP
CREATIVE SERVICES
Contact:
Teva Dawson
515 244–8590
teva@groupcreatives.com
1428 48th St
Des Moines, IA 50311
Waukee Art and Culture Plan
Proposal by Group Creative Services. Response to “Public Art Master Plan” RFP.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
4 Cover Letter 4
6 Our Approach to Public Art 6
7 Methodology and Scope 7
14 Budget Summary 14
15 Project Team 15
17 Firm Experience - Previous Work 17
31 References 31
January 6, 2023
Re: Proposal for Public Art Master Plan
To: Nick Osborne, Asst. City Administrator
Dear Nick:
This is an exciting time for Waukee. As the city enjoys strong growth
and welcomes new amenities, attention to character and culture
has never been more important. Waukee has a timely opportunity
to integrate art into all aspects of the community as it grows.
Group Creative Services knows how art works hard for
cities. Public art facilitates advancement of civic goals, aligned
with your comprehensive plan. We’re eager to help Waukee
and its residents activate an art and culture plan that’s based
on public input from a wide variety of stakeholders and tailored
to fit Waukee’s assets, resources and placemaking themes. This
is about achievable actions to take in the next 3 to 5 years.
Further, we propose to demonstrate putting the finished plan into
action, investing in implementation with immediate benefits.
We know that things are moving fast in Waukee, so we’re committing
to deliver a completed art and culture plan in 7 months with three
demonstration projects activating in the following 2-3 months.
We’ll work with Waukee’s new Public Art Advisory Commission
to create the plan and define a clear framework for their future
success. The plan accelerates collective work, appealing to
potential arts funders like Bravo Greater Des Moines; Bravo’s
Regional Cultural Assessment marks community public art plans
and commissions as important to success. We’ll be delivering
strategies that move beyond murals, looking at unexpected ways
to integrate the arts into infrastructure, programming and more.
We’re local. Since our founding in 2018, we’ve led projects and built
plans across the region, and our local team looks forward to deepen-
ing our understanding of Waukee’s geographic and cultural context.
Teva Dawson \\ 515 244–8590 \\ teva@groupcreatives.com
GROUP CREATIVE SERVICES
1424 48th St
Des Moines, IA 50311
Moreover, our experience working directly with artists means we
know what it takes to implement and maintain public art.
Waukee residents are drawn to the city’s quality neighbor-
hoods, great schools, recreational opportunities and more.
Developing this art and culture plan is an opportunity to create
distinction that continues to set this community apart.
Thank you for considering our team for this important project
for Waukee. We are ready to begin this work with you today!
Sincerely,
Teva Dawson
Group Creative Services
Teva Dawson \\ 515 244–8590 \\ teva@groupcreatives.com
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OUR APPROACH
TO PUBLIC ART
Public art has become more complex, process
oriented, collaborative and experimental.
Artists of all disciplines wish to engage
and enhance our communities in new
ways, creatively addressing a community’s
needs as identified by its residents and
stakeholders such as the environment,
community health, cultural diversity, youth
development, and attracting tourists.
Public artwork facilitates advancement of civic
goals by describing concepts, expressing
community interests, providing distinct and
novel character, and/or offering greater
understanding and discussion around the
art’s site and its utility. For example, artwork
located near the site of new stormwater
infrastructure might facilitate understanding
of watershed management as environmental
stewardship and its importance to flood
control. Art can engage with its site such
that “the medium is the message.”
As the field of public art rapidly expands,
many cities scramble to update and improve
the way they plan and manage their public
art programs while finding new ways to
maximize their investment in public art, to the
benefit of their economy, their culture and
their community. Group Creative Services
exists to facilitate this transformation.
GROUP CREATIVE SERVICES VISION
In addition to beautifying our shared spaces,
public art goes beyond murals, monuments
and memorials. It offers more than decoration
or information, and should not be simply a
new version of projects seen elsewhere.
Public art contributes to placemaking,
opens a process of seeing anew, shifts the
ground beneath our feet, and generates
transformations in experience and perception.
Public art creates a sense of connection to
place - a sense of belonging, of community, of
service. It generates new forms of dialogue
and creates a recognition of something shared,
perhaps hard to define. It challenges by raising
questions that may remain unresolved.
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METHODOLOGY
& SCOPE
PURPOSE AND CONTENT OF AN
ART AND CULTURE PLAN
An art and culture plan guides Waukee –
including its commissions, city departments,
program staff, artists, and stakeholders –
to maximize public art in supporting the
goals, needs and future of its community.
It should include:
• Research of existing city and regional
plans, future growth and critical
issues facing the community
• Input from the community, including artists
• Authenticity to the community,
responding to its unique qualities
• Recommendations that improve the
impact public art and artists can have on
the long-term vitality of the community
• A framework to define the role
and function of the public art
advisory commission, to create a
sustainable public art program
• A set of shared expectations and common
language regarding city-supported art
• Policies, procedures and systems
supportive of the integration of art
in all aspects of city functions
• Articulation of how public art is
maximized to serve multiple goals of the
community and needs of the residents
We propose a process that follows 4
phases, outlined in the following pages.
Each phase will naturally run into the
next, with some overlap between each.
PHASE 1
DISCOVERY: COLLECT PUBLIC
INPUT AND LOCAL DATA
MONTHS 1-3
BUDGET: $7,000
1.1 Steering Committee
We propose that the new Public Art Advisory
Commission (PAAC) serves as the steering
committee for the creation of this plan.
The group will meet 4-5 times during the
planning effort to advise on the direction of
inquiry, test policy recommendations and
champion plan adoption and implementation.
1.2 Community Engagement
Group Creative Services will conduct
information-gathering processes with the
people of Waukee to assess interests in
arts programming, cultivate additional
leaders for this new initiative and galvanize
support for future steps of developing
a more formal structure and vision for
public arts. Assessments will include the
community’s values, attitudes, opinions,
gaps in programming and assessment of
culturally unique assets. What are residents
of Waukee passionate about? What would
they like to see in their community? What
are the key elements that create a unique
sense of place for those living here?
1.3 Data Collection
In addition to seeking input from residents,
Group will gather facts about the community
to better understand the context for
enhanced cultural programming, including:
• Community demographics
• Arts-related entities, programming,
assets and needs
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• Existing plans and reports—capital
improvement plans, municipal
comprehensive plan, recently
adopted strategic plan, etc.
• Other resources available -
businesses, government, etc.
Deliverables
• Online survey - The survey will ideally
be distributed through existing city
communication channels, in addition to
other promotion that we will coordinate
• 2-3 focus groups
• 4-8 one-on-one interviews
with community leaders
• First steering committee
meeting with PAAC (1 of 4)
PHASE 2
ANALYSIS: DISCOVER THEMES
AND OPPORTUNITIES
MONTHS 3-5
BUDGET: $4,400
Analysis articulates current cultural assets,
uncovers significant opportunities and
position’s Waukee’s authentic cultural
flavor as a vision of the future. A series
of emerging themes are honed through
our analysis of Phase I data and rooted in
its research. The collection of themes will
summarize key gaps and opportunities and
outline challenges and potential directions
for early solutions. These ultimately lead
to the vision, mission and values that
form the backbone of the final plan.
Residents and key stakeholders can identify
the future they desire, but gathering data
is not enough. The final plan must be
actionable; therefore, not all ideas can move
forward. Analysis is the critical step that
grounds that vision in Waukee’s changing
landscape and matches it to the opportunities
and available resources that can make it real.
Deliverables
• Emerging themes document
summarizing key points discovered
from Phase I including:
• Key placemaking themes that ensure future
arts and culture programming and projects are
rooted in Waukee’s authentic sense of place
• Outline of gaps and opportunities for art
and culture programming and projects
aligned with civic programs and goals
• Key community issues primed for innovation
• Potential strategies for support
mechanisms, systemic integration
of the arts, sustainable funding
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• Potential areas for art integration
• Recommendations based on feedback
and findings as to how Waukee could
boost the area as a place that engages the
arts as a means of improved community
livability and economic development
• Present “emerging themes”
document to City Council
• Steering committee meeting with Public
Art Advisory Commission (meeting 2 of 4)
• Review emerging themes document
and receive feedback
PHASE 3
PLAN: DEVELOP VISION
AND STRATEGIC PLAN
MONTHS 5-7
BUDGET: $13,800
A clear sense of direction and vision is
needed from the start in order to secure
commitment from key stakeholders and to
attain the necessary support for subsequent
planning, programming and fundraising.
Group Creative Services will work with
stakeholders to develop vision and mission
statements, building on the work of Phases
1 and 2. The statements will guide the
group’s work towards a three year plan.
Group will then support additional
planning for the Public Art Advisory
Commission by outlining activities,
programs, and processes that will be
integral to the work of the commission.
Deliverables
• Mission and vision statements
• Three to five-year art and culture plan
with specific strategies and tactical steps for
implementation. We will provide a draft plan,
seek feedback from stakeholders, and then
provide a revised and final plan. The plan will:
• Align with other regional economic
development and community development
initiatives to ensure the arts are part of solutions
towards long-term community vitality
• Identify funding sources and
implementation partners
• Identify locations and themes
of public art amenities
• Outline a framework for a
sustainable public art program
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• Recommend potential policies, procedures
and systems to cultivate integration of
art in all aspects of city functions
• Recommend arts integration into specific
upcoming CIP projects and other
programming alignments already budgeted
for by the municipal government
• Meet the requirements for public
art grants, such as Bravo
• Open house (or similar public event)
to seek community input on draft
plan (2nd of 2 open houses. We
recommend coordinating with an
existing event that has a large draw)
• Meeting with steering committee
(PAAC) and presentation to city council
to review draft plan and gather edits
• Procedures for Public Art Advisory
Commission to implement a unified public
art strategy and oversee public art projects
• Recommendation of 3 sites for detailed
concept development in Phase 4
Plan Format and Delivery
The plan will be delivered digitally and as
a collection of digital assets to ensure the
plan can remain useful in many contexts
and situations. The best plan means very
little if people don’t access it or utilize it as a
catalyst for progress and positive change.
The full plan - including all of the
research, data, observations, resources,
recommendations, and action items - will
be available as a PDF. We will provide
a high-quality PDF fit for printing as
well as a web-friendly PDF that can be
embedded into any existing web page.
Other deliverables include:
• Visual assets for use in
presentations, websites, etc
• Key talking point presentation slides
• Thematic presentations to enable
conversations with different audiences
and community stakeholders
• A toolkit / roadmap for accessing
arts in and for your community
based on our findings
• Visualization graphics of key
data / findings resulting from the
community-focused research
• A single place online to easily
access the items listed above
Each community is unique and often
projects like this uncover new opportunities
throughout the process. Additional
deliverables may be created and provided
to activate the plan’s findings and engage
the community in the work being done.
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PHASE 4
ACTIVATION: DEMONSTRATING
POSSIBILITIES
MONTHS 7- 9
BUDGET: $6,000
Phase I discovery and Phase III
recommendations will identify opportunities
for public art activation and align community
findings with concept development.
Group can facilitate a concept design
and project proposal for a site-specific
installation for a current or upcoming
project such as a new building, sidewalk
replacement, park or roadway. Alternatively,
Group can facilitate a performance-based
or temporary installation if preferred.
An artist request for proposals (RFP)
outlining project goals, scope, themes,
timeline, budget, site considerations and
project constraints is generated. The PAAC
(or another group of the city’s choosing)
works with Group consultants to narrow
a list of potential artists. Three artists are
paid to fully develop concepts for the site
including drawings, budgets and timelines.
Group will coordinate a jury process and
recommend next steps to the city council.
Our RFP process for engaging
artists is explained in more detail
on the following pages.
Deliverables
• Call for proposal sent out to
local and/or national artists
• At least three concepts developed for site
• Recommendation of 1 concept based
on recommendation from the PAAC
• Meeting with Steering committee
(PAAC) - meeting 4 of 4
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PROCESS FOR PHASE 4: ACTIVATION
Group’s approach allows you to explore options with a low
initial buy-in by initiating a processes without committing to
a particular project’s full budget or completion requirements
until all key details are known to the parties involved.
For a low upfront cost, we guide you through a
selection process by introducing you to the work of
highly qualified artists relevant to your project from
which 3 artists will be commissioned to develop
detailed project proposals. We cast a wide net to bring
you professional artists and discover new talent.
We work with you to develop a request for proposal
(RFP) provided to the selected artists based on
your goals and needs for the project. Artists at this
phase are paid for their creativity and expertise
in the development of these proposals.
What you get at the end of this initial phase is three
well developed ideas from highly qualified professional
artists. A panel of jurors, usually selected from project
and community stakeholders, then reviews the
submissions to determine how to move forward in the
best interest of the project’s goals and the community
involved. This transparent selection process supports
community project goals and builds public enthusiasm.
The ideas and visuals the artists create for their proposals
can provide you site specific examples that can also be
an excellent foundation for additional fundraising.
Proposals can even be requested for projects at a variety
of price points to help with full-project budget decisions.
Group Creatives offers this initial call for artists and
proposal development service for $6,000.
Fees to continue with the project to full realization
are based on details specific to each project
such as scope, scale, timeline, and budget.
Group continues to support you on the project
through final implementation offering oversight,
artist support, and acting as a liaison between you
and the artist for the duration of the project.
CONNECTING
YOU TO THE
RIGHT ARTISTS
FOR YOUR
SITE-SPECIFIC ART
OPPORTUNITIES
River Constellation by Beau Kenyon and Natalia Zubko
13
PH
A
S
E
4
M
E
T
H
O
D
O
L
O
G
Y
Woven Lines by Aaron Stephan
1
Group meets with you to determine the specifics of
your art opportunities, needs, and goals. We work
together to develop a request for proposals (RFP).
2
Group develops a pool qualified artists
working in relevant mediums based on your
project’s goals and opportunities.
3
A jury of stakeholders selects 3 artists from the
pool. These artists are paid to create proposals
based on an RFP that we develop together.
4
A jury reviews the proposals and one artist is selected
to complete the project. Group continues to support
you on the project through final implementation.
Teva Dawson (515) 244–8590
teva@groupcreatives.com
Alex Braidwood (313) 595–3155
alex@groupcreatives.com
14
PHASE I DISCOVERY $7,000
MONTHS 1-3 Collect public input and local data
PHASE II ANALYSIS $4,400
MONTHS 3-5 Discover themes and opportunities
PHASE III PLAN $13,800
MONTHS 5-7 Develop vision and strategic plan
SUBTOTAL ART AND CULTURE PLAN $25,200
PHASE IV ACTIVATION $6,000
MONTHS 7-9 Demonstrating Possibilities: Concept Design
TOTAL ART AND CULTURE PLAN $31,200
AND 1 CONCEPT DESIGN
BUDGET SUMMARY
Detailed explanations of each phase are provided in
the “methodology” section.
15
GROUP CREATIVE SERVICES
1428 48th St
Des Moines, IA
50311
www.groupcreatives.comKEY TEAM MEMBER ROLES & AFFILIATIONS
Project Lead: Teva Dawson
Teva will lead the project with her creative vision and
strategy. Drawing on her extensive experience creating
public art plans, Teva will provide creative direction for
all aspects of the process: public input, plan visioning,
creation of goals and strategies, and concept development.
Artistic Director: Alex Braidwood
Alex will lead the development of the artistic
concepts and designs for specific sites in Waukee,
and will help synthesize plan goals and strategies.
Project Manager: Lorin Ditzler, AICP
Lorin will direct the execution of the planning process
and ensure all outcomes are achieved. Lorin will
participate in public input and writing the plan.
Outreach: Ryan Hanser
Ryan will apply his PR expertise to ensure
inclusive community engagement and input
throughout the planning process.
Creative Strategy: Rachel Buse
Rachel is a working artist who will generate creative
ideas for how to integrate the arts into all aspects of
the community, using it to drive community programs,
enhance infrastructure and enrich placemaking.
TEAM MEMBER BIOS
TEVA DAWSON, OWNER & PROJECT LEAD
Teva Dawson began her career path of invention by designing her own major in
Environmental Education from Drake University which led to the creation of Des Moines’s
first Community Garden Program. She ended her 15 years with Des Moines Parks and
Recreation in the management team having expanded the department into new ways to
serve its citizens. Recently she spearheaded Greater Des Moines’ first Water Trails and
Greenways Plan as a Senior Planner with Des Moines Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Teva invested 20 years in central Iowa implementing civic engagement and integrated
planning with cities and through regional government collaboration around the themes of
parks and recreation, transportation systems, resiliency planning and health in all policies.
RYAN HANSER, PUBLIC RELATIONS, BRANDING
SPECIALIST, RESEARCH DESIGN ADVISER
Ryan Hanser brings 25 years of public relations experience to Group, including service to
governments yielding award-winning projects that influence behavior. His work—especially
counsel and strategy for travel and tourism clients—has been nationally recognized, and
he has chaired the word of mouth practice group across his firm’s global offices. He is
accredited in the practice of public relations by the Public Relations Society of America.
Outside the office, Ryan’s volunteerism focuses on art, recreation and natural resources.
16
GROUP CREATIVE SERVICES
1428 48th St
Des Moines, IA
50311
www.groupcreatives.comTEAM MEMBER BIOS (CONT)
LORIN DITZLER, PROJECT MANAGER
Lorin is a community development expert with 15 years of experience helping
communities realize their full potential. Lorin has led the creation of comprehensive
plans, strategic plans and special issue plans for communities and organizations.
She has worked with city leaders and volunteers to fund and implement hundreds of
community improvement projects, taking the process from idea to completion. She
holds a Masters in Urban Planning, and certification from the American Institute of
Certified Planners, with additional training in grant writing and group facilitation.
RACHEL BUSE, CREATIVE STRATEGY
Rachel Buse is a sculptor working in soft materials that can sometimes be played with.
Buse has lived in Des Moines since 2008 and is originally from Lincoln, Nebraska.
She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. In
2015, the Iowa Arts Council awarded Buse an Iowa Artist Fellowship. She’s been an
artist in residency at the Children’s Museum in Pittsburgh, Grin City in Grinnell, and
Art Farm in Nebraska. Temporary installations by Buse have taken over a bedroom,
a library, a factory, a farmers’ market, and a music festival. Her projects range from
community-based interaction to wearable works. Buse looks for opportunities
to exaggerate shapes and settings with bold, squishy, large-scale surprises.
ALEX BRAIDWOOD, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Alex Braidwood is a sound artist, media designer, and educator who maintains a practice
exploring issues of sustainability at the intersection of art and science. He has exhibited
art, led workshops, lectured on his work, and performed live at a variety of events and
venues throughout the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Alex is currently Director of the
Artist-in-Residence program at Iowa Lakeside Lab biological field research station, Director
of Graphic Design Graduate Education and faculty in the Human-Computer Interaction
PhD program at Iowa State University. He also currently serves on the Board of Directors
for the Midwest Society for Acoustic Ecology and the World Forum for Acoustic Ecology.
17
GROUP CREATIVE SERVICES
Des Moines, IA
www.groupcreatives.com
Contact teva@groupcreatives.com for more information
City of Grimes Public Art and Culture Plan
https://groupcreatives.com/grimes-public-art-master-plan
Commission by City of Grimes
Year Completed - 2022
Primary Discipline - Public Art
Art in Public Spaces
Description
Beginning in 2020 and completed in 2022, the City of Grimes,
IA participated in civic input and comprehensive research
processes to build an inventory of cultural supports ready to
implement to maximize economic and quality of life growth
opportunities.
Grimes Public Art and Culture Master Plan offers a vision that
aligns visual and thematic touches with citizens’ cultural values,
supported by the City’s goals and strategies. Integrating cul-
tural features and programming with existing city investments
will save money and deliver on the intentions of the strategic
plan. Among many, these intentions include beautifying shared
spaces and building a sense of place within Grimes that make
citizens proud and bring visitors back.
18
GROUP CREATIVE SERVICES
Des Moines, IA
www.groupcreatives.com
Contact teva@groupcreatives.com for more information
River Constellation
https://groupcreatives.com/water-works-river-constellation
Commission by Water Works Park Foundation
Medium - Light & Sound
Budget / Value - $250,000
Year Completed - 2019
Primary Discipline - Sculpture
Art in Public Spaces
Description
Designed by artists Beau Kenyon and Natalia Zubko, River
Constellation appears to flow horizontally, mimicking the
circuitous path of the adjacent Raccoon River through vertical
poles featuring orbs of light and nature sounds, inscribed with
the names of park donors. This project was part of a much
larger master planning effort to revitalize a large urban park
with its own multi-year robust community engagement pro-
cess. Through the development of major park infrastructure
projects including a large amphitheater, many memorial trees
were lost. This sculpture is part of honoring those memorials.
Several of the family members that lost memorial trees were
part of the art solicitation and selection process.
https://www.nataliazubko.com
https://www.beaukenyon.com
https://www.dsmwaterworkspark.com
19
GROUP CREATIVE SERVICES
Des Moines, IA
www.groupcreatives.com
Contact teva@groupcreatives.com for more information
Des Moines North River Region Public Art and Culture Plan
https://groupcreatives.com/north-river-plan
Commission by the North River Arts Council with funding from
the cities of Carlisle, Indianola and Norwalk.
Year Completed - 2022
Primary Discipline - Public Art
Art in Public Spaces
Description
The North River region of Warren County isn’t a recognized re-
gion (yet!), and the collection of communities on the southern
edge of metro Des Moines are not interconnected. Still, they
have much in common when it comes to their people, their
vision for growth, and their mindset.
Residents have a regional loyalty to Des Moines perhaps equal
to their own town. These communities generally lack cultural
and racial diversity and are mostly comprised of moderate-in-
come single-family home living; there is relative affluence
marked by communities full of automobiles.
There are many commuters from North River to the Des
Moines metro. Each town enjoys a diverse local service econo-
my, yet there are few large employers. It is also an area on the
rural edge, with agricultural production visible in all directions.
20
GROUP CREATIVE SERVICES
Des Moines, IA
www.groupcreatives.com
Contact teva@groupcreatives.com for more information
All Talk, No Action
https://groupcreatives.com/a-monumental-journey
Commission by the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation
Budget / Value - $15,000
Year Completed - 2016
Primary Discipline - video, sculpture
Art in Public Spaces
Description
Under the direction of local artist Jordan Weber and docu-
mentary filmmaker Lee Heinemann, 40 local middle-school
students created a series of short videos as well as a piece of
temporary public art named All Talk, No Action to augment the
opening and dedication of a Kerry James Marshall installation
A Monumental Journey.
https://dsmpublicartfoundation.org
https://dsmpublicartfoundation.org/public-artwork/a-monu-
mental-journey/
21
GROUP CREATIVE SERVICES
Des Moines, IA
www.groupcreatives.com
Contact teva@groupcreatives.com for more information
Topeka, KS Public Art and Culture Plan
https://groupcreatives.com/topeka-plan
Commission by ArtsConnect Topeka, KS
Year Completed - 2022
Primary Discipline - Public Art
Art in Public Spaces
Description
Topeka’s Arts and Culture Master Plan helps civic leaders
and stakeholders rely on the expertise of artists for creative
problem-solving; this plan guides investment to align cultural
production with established community priorities, maximizing
benefits while reducing risks.
Building a beautiful, welcoming and connected Topeka directly
addresses the community’s biggest challenges – perception
issues on crime, division and lack of opportunity, as well as
younger people leaving town.
22
GROUP CREATIVE SERVICES
Des Moines, IA
www.groupcreatives.com
Contact teva@groupcreatives.com for more information
Unite
https://groupcreatives.com/unite
Commission by Viva East Bank!
Budget / Value - $5,000
Year Completed - 2016
Primary Discipline - Public Art Mural
Art in Public Spaces
Description
To help create a sense of (comm)unity through public art at
Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Group Creatives collaborated with
local artist Jordan Weber. Weber worked with local communi-
ty members to develop the vision to paint the word “United”
in five languages on the park’s popular basketball court to
represent unity through play. The five languages – English,
Spanish, Croatian, Arabic, and French – are those spoken by
members of the local neighborhood. To commemorate the
newly painted court, project sponsors Viva East Bank and the
local neighborhood association hosted a free barbecue for
neighborhood residents.
https://www.pchtf.org/about-us/recent-news/viva-east-bank/
23
GROUP CREATIVE SERVICES
Des Moines, IA
www.groupcreatives.com
Contact teva@groupcreatives.com for more information
Transit Troubadours
https://groupcreatives.com/transit-troubadours
Commission by Bravo Greater Des Moines
Budget / Value - $5,000
Year Completed - 2017
Primary Discipline - Performance Art
Art in Public Spaces
Description
Local performers including theater students, portrait artists,
and popular local musicians spontaneously entertained DART
bus passengers over five days as a demonstration project to
address the “Every day, Everywhere Art” gap highlighted in
the recently completed Regional Cultural Assessment by this
regional art funder.
http://bravogreaterdesmoines.org
https://bravogreaterdesmoines.org/regional-cultural-assess-
ment/
24
GROUP CREATIVE SERVICES
Des Moines, IA
www.groupcreatives.com
Contact teva@groupcreatives.com for more information
Ankeny High Trestle Trail Experience Master Plan
https://groupcreatives.com/ankeny-htt-plan
Commission by the City of Ankeny
Budget / Value - $35,000
Year Completed - 2020
Primary Discipline - Public Art and Culture Plan
Art in Public Spaces
Description
This public art and culture plan integrates art into public infra-
structure to create unique experiences along Ankeny’s anchor
segments of the High Trestle Trail to drive tourism, economic
development and community connectedness. Community
engagement strategies utilized include community surveys,
individual interviews, focus groups and meetings with city
committees.
https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/parks-trails/
high-trestle-trail/
25
GROUP CREATIVE SERVICES
Des Moines, IA
www.groupcreatives.com
Contact teva@groupcreatives.com for more information
Des Moines Municipal Artist in Residency Pilot
https://groupcreatives.com/air-municipal-residency
Commission by Invest DSM and Bravo Greater Des Moines
Budget / Value - $25,000
Year Completed - 2020
Primary Discipline - Public Art
Art in Public Spaces
Description
Group guided a nine-month Artist in Residence pilot aimed to
demonstrate that civic goals can be realized faster and better
when the arts play a leading role, embracing a process without
a known outcome. Specifically, the work aimed to develop a
sense of place for a business district, making the ideas of busi-
ness owners and adjoining neighbors visible and influencing
shared identity for future transformative effects. Here Group
guided the partners in this pilot project including support for
selecting an artist and project advising along the way.
https://investdsm.org
http://bravogreaterdesmoines.org/
26
GROUP CREATIVE SERVICES
Des Moines, IA
www.groupcreatives.com
Contact teva@groupcreatives.com for more information
Dream Cube
https://groupcreatives.com/youth-homelessness
Commission by Mid-Iowa Health Foundation and
Bravo Greater Des Moines
Budget / Value - $20,000
Year Completed - 2020
Primary Discipline - Sculpture, Video
Art in Public Spaces
Description
A collaborative temporary sculpture facilitated by artist Kub
Stevens with youth who’ve experienced homelessness seeks to
inform Greater Des Moines that young people have the ability
to dream of better futures for themselves, but only if they
have a safe place to lay their head. This was commissioned
by Bravo Greater Des Moines to demonstrate art for social
impact.
https://vimeo.com/480996111
https://www.midiowahealth.org
http://bravogreaterdesmoines.org
27
GROUP CREATIVE SERVICES
Des Moines, IA
www.groupcreatives.com
Contact teva@groupcreatives.com for more information
Borealis
https://groupcreatives.com/operation-downtown
Commission by Operation Downtown and
Greater Des Moines Partnership
Medium: Light
Budget / Value - $25,000
Year Completed - 2021
Primary Discipline - Installation
Art in Public Spaces
Description
The underside of downtown Des Moines’ 8th Street Viaduct
near Mulberry St. is a poorly lit, dreary, concrete wasteland,
bordered with parking ramps and lots on all exposed sides.
BOREALIS designed by artist Alex Braden installation features
brightly colored LED lights that will turn the viaduct into an
ethereal space to pass through – and even a destination that
pedestrians will go out of their way to experience. This art
installation is in response to safety concerns raised in surveys
and outreach by Operation Downtown to business owners and
residents.
https://www.dsmpartnership.com/operationdowntown/
28
GROUP CREATIVE SERVICES
Des Moines, IA
www.groupcreatives.com
Contact teva@groupcreatives.com for more information
Drop In
https://groupcreatives.com/ankeny-drop-in
Commission by the City of Ankeny
Budget / Value - $225,000
Year Completed - 2023
Primary Discipline - Sculpture
Art in Public Spaces: Y
Description
Drop In sculpture integrates seamlessly with a single-stall
unisex ADA bathroom trail amenity. Whether trail users are en-
tering Ankeny or leaving on a High Trestle Trail adventure, this
project may be the first ever public art installation to house a
public bathroom.
The structure resembles a craftsman-style house with an
elevated front porch and overhang that protects a picnic area
from the sun, rain and other elements. Two swings will be in-
stalled on the porch and picnic tables will be set up under the
overhang. Also included will be bike racks, a bike repair station,
water fountain and a restroom. A gramophone is also planned.
“Drop In is designed for visitors traveling the High Trestle
Trail,” wrote artist Matthew Mazzotta of Canton, N.Y., to the
city of Ankeny. “Visitors will use this structure for rest, use the
restroom, get water, eat at the tables, repair a bicycle, listen
to music on the custom-design gramophone or swing on the
porch.”
29
GROUP CREATIVE SERVICES
Des Moines, IA
www.groupcreatives.com
Contact teva@groupcreatives.com for more information
City of Altoona Public Art Master Plan
https://groupcreatives.com/altoonas-master-plan
Commission by City of Altoona
Year Completed - 2018
Primary Discipline - Public Art
Art in Public Spaces
Description
When conducting research for the city of Altoona’s public
art plan, Group Creative Services supplemented traditional
research methods with in-person community interviews facili-
tated by portrait artists during the annual Breakfast with Santa.
The free portraits were a survey incentive, and also helped
spark the notion that public art can move beyond typical mu-
rals and sculptures.
A key focus of Altoona’s resulting public art plan was to
make town entrances and arteries more visually pleasing and
welcoming. Work is now underway to integrate public art in
upcoming transportation infrastructure projects for the grow-
ing city.
The plan also led to forming a local arts committee to imple-
ment the types of memorable public-art experiences desired
by community members. These could range from a traveling
front-porch concert series, to a “museum of dropped things”
collected from anonymous roller coaster riders at nearby
Adventureland, to temporary visual art and sound installations
along the city’s popular bike paths.
https://www.altoona-iowa.com
30
GROUP CREATIVE SERVICES
Des Moines, IA
www.groupcreatives.com
Contact teva@groupcreatives.com for more information
Altoona First Avenue Roundabout
https://groupcreatives.com/altoona-roundabout
Commission by City of Altoona
Budget / Value - $25,000
Year Completed - 2022
Primary Discipline - Installation
Art in Public Spaces
Description
As the city of Altoona, Iowa, embarks on a series of major in-
frastructure improvements, they asked Group to help integrate
site-specific public art into the construction process.
The first sculpture being integrated with these city improve-
ments is Woven Lines, an important focal point for the new 1st
Avenue roundabout. 1st Avenue is one of Altoona’s main entry
points, serving as a city gateway. The 12-foot high, 65-foot
diameter sculpture will define and anchor the 1st Avenue Cor-
ridor while complimenting the surrounding landscape. Woven
Lines is constructed using the universal ribbed guardrail seen
on public roadways across America. This simple component
flows into the striking form of a massive overhand knot -- a
symbol of the town’s continued dedication to community. The
sculpture will be equally appealing after dark, with reflective
tape and dramatic lighting highlighting the piece’s contours
and curves. This artwork comes as an implementation phase of
their public art master plan which had robust engagement in-
cluding surveys at pancakes with Santa as well as focus groups
and individual interviews. The art selection for Woven Lines
included a group of city staff, local chamber staff, an elected
official and citizens.
31
GROUP CREATIVE SERVICES
1428 48th St
Des Moines, IA
50311
www.groupcreatives.comREFERENCES
DEAN O’CONNOR, CITY OF ALTOONA, MAYOR
(515) 967-5136
doconnor@altoona-iowa.com
As the city of Altoona, Iowa, embarked on a series of major infrastructure improvements, they asked Group to
help integrate site-specific public art into the construction process. Group then utilized it’s multi-step review
and proposal process to find the aertist and artwork that was the best for the goals and oppotunities presented
by this project. It’s all about finding that strong connection between place, people, and values.
The first sculpture being integrated with these city improvements is Woven Lines, an important focal point for
the new 1st Avenue roundabout. 1st Avenue is one of Altoona’s main entry points, serving as a city gateway. The
12-foot high, 65-foot diameter sculpture will define and anchor the 1st Avenue Corridor while complimenting
the surrounding landscape.
Woven Lines is constructed using the universal ribbed guardrail seen on public roadways across America. This
simple component flows into the striking form of a massive overhand knot -- a symbol of the town’s continued
dedication to community. The sculpture will be equally appealing after dark, with reflective tape and dramatic
lighting highlighting the piece’s contours and curves.
Woven Lines, created by Portland, Maine, artist Aaron Stephan, will mark your arrival and departure from
Altoona and should gradually become a defining icon for the community.
City of Altoona Public Art Master Plan
https://groupcreatives.com/altoonas-master-plan
City of Altoona
Budget $20,000
Year Completed - 2018
Altoona First Avenue Roundabout
https://groupcreatives.com/altoona-roundabout
City of Altoona
Budget $25,000
Year Completed - 2022
32
GROUP CREATIVE SERVICES
1428 48th St
Des Moines, IA
50311
www.groupcreatives.comREFERENCES
DERK LORD, CITY OF ANKENY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
515-965-6430
DLord@ankenyiowa.gov
“We have a very active community, and a lot of people in our community use the trail, and if they don’t use
the trail, they are at least familiar with the trail,” said Derek Lord, the city’s economic development director
and a leader of the proposal. “So when we’re talking about something that is so close to a lot of people in our
community, they show their interest and support by participating in the process.”
The City of Ankeny hired Group Creative Services for strategic planning, and has moved into project planning
and implementation phases. Derek Lord, Economic Development Director for the City of Ankeny commissioned
Group for the Ankeny High Trestle Trail Experience Master Plan, which includes an installation titled ‘Drop In’ to
welcome trail users to Ankeny’s hometown front porch.
Through the planning process, Group encourages Ankeny, a Des Moines suburb, to build community and
economy through art engagements and installations. This plan for integrating art to create unique experiences
along Ankeny’s four-mile long anchor segments of the High Trestle Trail drives economic development and
community connectedness.
Twelve permanent and thirteen temporary art engagements by a wide variety of artists are recommended in
Ankeny’s forward-thinking effort to leverage a unique cultural amenity in the metro.
Following extensive community input, research, and after vetting over 33 projects by local and international
artists, Group Creative Services is proud to recommend this extensive plan to activate cultural nodes and build
both community cohesion, identity, and tourism by turning towards the existing backbone of natural and built
resources that anchor the southern area of the High Trestle Trail, a unique community feature that is also one
of Iowa’s greatest recreational assets.
Ankeny’s segment of the trail offers significant connectivity throughout the city and to other regional trail
loops, also drawing the residents of Ankeny to the developing Uptown area. Each project, selected for high
enthusiasm by Ankeny residents and developed to be fully executable and ready to implement, is specific
to Ankeny’s unique Hometown needs as well as to opportunities to find cost efficiencies with existing
infrastructure upgrade plans and local funding possibilities.
Ankeny High Trestle Trail Experience Master Plan
https://groupcreatives.com/ankeny-htt-plan
Commissioned by the City of Ankeny
Budget $35,000
Year Completed - 2020
Drop In
https://groupcreatives.com/ankeny-drop-in
Budget $225,000
Year Completed - 2022
DEREK LORD, CITY OF ANKENY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
33
GROUP CREATIVE SERVICES
1428 48th St
Des Moines, IA
50311
www.groupcreatives.comREFERENCES
SALLY DIX, BRAVO GREATER DES MOINES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
515-243-0388
sally@bravogreaterdesmoines.org
“Group Creative Services brought the idea of every day, everywhere art to life for our community. From
concept to implementation, their ingenuity, passion and expertise resulted in creative collisions that inspired
joy and reframed the concept of public art for our region. They patiently and thoughtfully stretched our
comfort zone to include richer, more interesting possibilities and their partnership strengthened project
outcomes far beyond our expectations.”
Bravo Greater Des Moines leverages community resources, including the region’s hote-motel tax funds, to
maximize the impact of arts, culture, and heritage to advance regional priorities. Sally Dix has engaged Group
Creative Services several times since 2017 to help expand the role of arts in the community. This partnership
includes piloting projects through the Every Day, Everywhere Art initiative to create spontaneous artistic and
cultural connections in new ways.
Bravo Greater Des Moines partners with arts and non-arts agencies to advance their mission and infuse arts in
new places and spaces. Group Creative Services has provided consulting services and engaged the community
through several projects and activations, highlighted below:
Every Day Everywhere Art projects. 2017. Budget $20,000
+Sputnik Returned #2 by artist Brandon Vickerd — A car crushed by a replica of the Sputnik satellite was
quietly placed in areas with high foot traffic around the metro, reaching thousands daily over the course
of a week.
+Transit Troubadours — Local performers including theater students, portrait artists, and popular local
musicians spontaneously entertained DART bus passengers over five days.
+No-Tech Water Quality Xylophone by artist Alex Braidwood — A musical graph placed on the Jordan
Creek Trail featured pipes of different lengths that produced different sounds when whacked, giving
insight into water quality from the adjacent stream. Reaching more than 17,000 people over five months,
this piece met a secondary goal of the project – using art to encourage perceptual shifts and connections
to important civic matters.
Art for Social Awareness: Youth Homelessness. 2020. Budget $20,000
+In support of a plan by Polk County Continuum of Care to end youth homelessness, an initiative recently
awarded a nationally prestigious, federal HUD grant to enact its more ambitious efforts, Mid-Iowa Health
Foundation and Bravo Greater Des Moines partnered to demonstrate, as a pilot program, that the arts
can accelerate community initiatives and offer a more profound impact than policy and activities can
accomplish alone. The arts are problem-solvers and community-builders, and projects seeking social
impact are better with the arts as an integrated feature.
Artist in Residency Project. 2020. Budget $25,000
+With the encouragement and guidance of Group Creative Services, Bravo Greater Des Moines and
Invest DSM commissioned Chicago-based interdisciplinary artist Eleanor Kahn as the city’s first Artist
in Residence, piloting a creative process for resident engagement and civic improvement. Kahn’s work
pushed the context of the Dogtown business district into connections that strengthened identity and
created momentum for continued growth and development of Des Moines’ Drake Neighborhood as a
welcoming and inclusive place.