INNISFAIL – Following eight years of community discussion that included a Town of Innisfail staff study, a comprehensive public arts policy has finally received approval by local council.
However, it will not be officially launched until next year when or if council gives 2026 operating budget approval to fund the first year of a proposed five-year implementation plan.
On March 24, the draft Public Art & Placemaking Framework, which the Town of Innisfail has been working on since 2022, was presented to town council at its regular meeting for approval.
The draft framework, a document almost 50 pages long, was first presented to council last January and has been put online for public review.
It has been “enthusiastically” supported by the Innisfail Art Club (IAC).
“This document provides a clear plan in ‘broad strokes’ for the future of Public Arts in our community,” said IAC in its online statement that can be viewed at . www.involve.innisfail.ca.
“The framework appears to address the unique multi-cultural community that is Innisfail,” added the IAC statement. “It is exciting that this framework plans to include local groups, already promoting artistic pursuits, within the makeup of the proposed multi-faceted ‘community membership’ team.”
However, local artist Karen Scarlett, while “excited” to see the new policy moving forward, had a concern with the framework’s vision.
“I think the vision for public art is off,” said Scarlett in her online post. “Celebrating the past? Innisfail is forward thinking and there should be consideration for the future and not just a focus on our history.
“The vision statement could be far stronger.”
Nevertheless, town council unanimously approved a motion presented by Meghan Jenkins, director of community services for the Town of Innisfail, that council approves the Public Art & Placemaking Framework as presented with implementation to commence in 2026 subject to appropriate approvals in the 2026 operating budget.
In her presentation on March 24, Jenkins reminded council that since early 2022 the Town of Innisfail has been exploring ways to support public art and establish appropriate plans and policies for the community.
Council was also told that in early 2024 the town hired Evoke Culture to develop a public art framework for Innisfail that would provide strategic direction, including vision, purpose and guiding principles for establishing policy and decision-making mechanisms, governance and management and funding requirements.
Council was told the new arts policy establishes five priority strategy areas and a detailed implementation plan and timeline.
The framework also includes a terms of reference for a recommended advisory committee, examples of requests for proposals and quotations, and a call to artist documents for projects, priority site types and inspiration.
However, the approved policy will not be put into action until a first-year budget is presented and approved in the 2026 municipal budget.
Through her report to council Jenkins said the approved policy identifies a first-year budget of $20,000 to support small scale projects, community engagement and administrative setup.
Council was told the plan outlines increasing investment into the program of up to $75,000 by the fifth year.
“In addition to the proposed budget allocations, operational staff capacity will be required to coordinate the program and projects,” said Jenkins in her report, adding it will require the creation of a part-time coordinator role.
“I think it's evolved for a long time, and this is fine,” said Coun. Gavin Bates. “I do believe that going forward, it does represent a significant investment when you get to year five.
“Obviously we’re putting a lot of trust in the committee that will be working on it and figuring out how to spend it,” added Bates. “Future councils will be able to look at it, and if they see problems they can deal with it.”
