Yet More of Your Taxes for the Arts
Last Thursday, October 27, we growled about the long-term plan the Arlington County Commission for the Arts dreamed-up to spend your hard-earned tax dollars. Even before it had a chance to see the light of day, the Arlington County Board approved an award of $435,000 at its October 18 recess meeting “for fabrication and installation” of the “artwork Echo” at Penrose Square.
The details are in agenda item 28.B.(October 18 agenda available here, and item 28.B. here (requires Adobe)). The Manager’s report to the Board describes the artwork this way:
“The artwork consists of two granite monoliths, placed 30’ apart. Each will have a parabola carved into it; when someone speaks into one sculpture, listeners standing at the other will hear the voice clearly and can have a conversation. The artwork is inspired by the significant role that Arlington’s Three Sisters Radio Towers, formerly located on the nearby Navy Annex property, played in the development of the nation’s trans-Atlantic communication capabilities.
“Fabrication of the artwork is expected to begin in November 2011 and will take about six months to complete and install. The installation of Echo will be coordinated with the overall construction of Penrose Square. Both pieces of Echo (2 granite monoliths) will be built as Phase 1 of Penrose Square.”
The Manager asserts: “The artwork will help create a vibrant, public square that serves as a meeting and gathering spot in the Corridor’s new urban fabric.” Here's the “fiscal impact” from the report (capitalization in the original):
“Funding for this Art and Engineering Design Services Contract was authorized from the FY2011 to FY2016 CIP in the Community Conservation category and identified in the COLUMBIA PIKE INITIATIVE A REVITALIZATION PLAN–UPDATE 2005 and the Public Art Master Plan.
“The funds are available in the account numbered: 313.438200.72106.PSP.0000.0000.”
You can see what the artist has in mind from page 3 of the Manager’s report (requires Adobe). To repeat what we have said many times, i.e., that it’s not the art we object to, but rather that taxpayers are paying for it based upon the wishes of a selected special interest.