5.74.020 Definitions.

City Code Section

(Amended by Ordinances 178946, 189611, 191649, and 191876, effective September 27, 2024.) 

  1. As used in this Chapter:
  2. A.  Improvement project means any project paid for wholly or in part by a participating bureau in which the participating bureau’s contribution of eligible funds equals $50,000 or more for the construction, rehabilitation, remodeling, improvement or purchase for a public use of any building, structure, park, public utility, street, sidewalk or parking facility or any portion thereof within the limits of the City.
    1. 1.  Maintenance and repair does not constitute an improvement project.
    2. 2.  Improvement projects which are developed privately and leased back to the City are not exempt from the provisions of this Chapter.
    3. 3.  The purchase of improved or unimproved property by Prosper Portland solely for resale or redevelopment, in which property is not otherwise to be put to a governmental use, does not constitute an improvement project subject to the provisions of this Chapter.
  3. B.  Artist-in-residence means an artist in any discipline who explores new working methods to develop socially engaging, interactive art experiences with City bureaus through either permanent or temporary artworks.
  4. C.  Creative space means a physical location or a mobile location like a truck that is owned, leased, rented by, donated to, or otherwise made available to the City that has the exclusive purpose of facilitating the creation or display of visual, performing, cultural or other artworks.
  5. D.  Eligible costs means the participating bureau’s capitalized costs for completion of an improvement project, including costs for capitalized tenant improvements.  Eligible costs do not include costs for: administration, fees and permits, building demolition, relocation of tenants, environmental testing, environmental remediation, non-construction contingency or indirect costs, such as interest during construction, advertising and legal fees.  When an improvement project involves the acquisition of real property, costs attributable to land acquisition are not eligible costs, while costs attributable to improvements on the real property are eligible costs.
  6. E.  Eligible funds means a participating bureau’s monetary contribution to an Improvement Project. The following are not eligible funds: private development revenue, federal and state grants that preclude public art as an object for expenditure, Local Improvement District revenue, Water Operating Fund revenue, Water Construction Fund revenue, Sewer Systems Operating Fund revenue, Sewer Systems Construction Fund revenue and revenue from any other funding source subject to legal restrictions which preclude public art as an object for expenditure.
  7. F.  Office of Arts & Culture means the City’s internal program and its staff who work with City bureaus, Council offices, and external partners to support the City’s vibrant arts and culture ecosystem.
  8. G.  Public art means original creative work, which is accessible to the public and/or public employees, and which has been approved as public art by the Office of Arts & Culture.  This definition will be liberally construed to support this Chapter’s purpose, including but not limited to physical art works, artists-in-residence and creative space.
  9. H.  Public monuments refers to three-dimensional works of art or structures that are publicly displayed with the purpose of memorializing or honoring a specific person, place, or event. In the context of this policy, Public monuments are distinct from other forms of public art, such as two-dimensional murals or three-dimensional plaques located in parks, which are primarily designed to provoke conversation and provide education. Unlike these other art forms, public monuments specifically serve as commemorative structures, often carrying historical, cultural, or social significance.
  10. I.  Participating bureau means a City bureau or commission that funds an improvement project within the meaning of this Chapter.
  11. J.  Selection panel means a group responsible for reviewing proposed public art. The selection panel will make a recommendation on the selection of public art to the Office of Arts & Culture. Selection panels must include a representative of the participating bureau, the improvement project architect or engineer, one or more artist(s), and one or more Portland resident.