Episode 4: Take Another Look

November 15, 2023

Take Another Look:

"Bigger Budget, Bigger Ideas!"

Take Another Look: "Bigger Budget, Bigger Ideas!" is a conversation between Dorothy Stermer, Albuquerque Arts Board member, and Sherri Brueggemann.

Dorothy, Sherri, and joni explain the role and responsibilities of the Albuquerque Arts Board. In October 2022, City Council approved an Ordinance change from 1% to 1.5% of general obligation bonds for Art. Dorothy and Sherri share how the Arts Board and Albuquerque Public Art Program staff worked together to update the Public Art Ordinance as well as what the bigger budget means for the Public Art Program. Check out the episode to learn how you can join the Albuquerque Arts Board and learn about the big ideas for public art in Albuquerque.

Listen and watch Take Another Look on:

Meet the Guests

Dorothy Stermer currently serves on the A lbuquerque Public Arts Board representing District 9. She attended the University of New Mexico where she received her Bachelor and Masters of Science degrees in 1988 and 1989 in Chemical Engineering and had a career at Sandia National Laboratories as an engineer and manager.

Dorothy grew up in a family of artists and manages the John Stermer Fine Art estate. She has a rich understanding of the dual needs of artists to express their creativity and to run a business. Throughout her career, Dorothy served on various art-related boards and volunteered with non-profit organizations in our community. She appreciates artists' contributions to the public and know they are the heart and soul of the community-at large.

Sherri Brueggemann is the City of Albuquerque Public Art Urban Enhancement Division Manager. She holds a Masters from UNM's School of Public Administration with emphasis in arts and cultural policy. Sherri was a founding member of the American for the Arts Public Art Network (PAN) and served on the PAN Council from 2000-2002.

She is also a former printmaker, special events coordinator, winery owner and adjuncts faculty at the University of New Mexico's College of Fine Arts, Arts Management Program.

Learn More About the People, Places, and Projects Discussed in Episode 4

Albuquerque Public Art Program:

How the Funding Works

What are General Obligation Bonds?

City Council in partnership with every City department puts together a capital budget every 2 years that is presented to Albuquerque voters for approval in the form of general obligation bonds.

General obligation bonds are a way of funding capital improvements to build things like storm drainage, trails, libraries, swimming pools, bus stops, police stations, and more.

Learn more about the results of the 2023 bonds.

How does the Albuquerque Public Art Program Funding Work?

The project funds (or Percent for Art funds) must be spent based on the approved general obligation bonds purpose. This means Parks and Recreation bond funds are used for artwork tied into trails or parks and Library bond funds are used for artwork located at libraries (inside as well as outside).

Learn more about the Albuquerque Public Art Collection and where public art is located throughout Albuquerque.

Albuquerque Arts Board

About the Albuquerque Arts Board

The Albuquerque Arts Board is made up of 11 members with 9 members that represent each City Council Districts and 2 at-large members, appointed by the Mayor. The Arts Board meets on the third Wednesday of every month from 4-6 p.m.

The central objective of the Board is "to promote and encourage private and public programs to further the development and public awareness of, and interest in, the visual arts and fine crafts and cultural properties."

The central responsibility of each member is to serve as a representative of the Arts Board on Art Selection Committees. The full Arts Board makes selection recommendations to the Mayor.

Learn more about the Albuquerque Arts Board.

Arts Board and the Public Art Ordinance Change

In 1978, the Art In Municipal Places Ordinance established the Albuquerque Public Art Program and set aside 1% of general obligation bonds to purchase or commission works of public art.

From 2019 to October 2022, a committee of the Albuquerque Arts Board began working with Public Art staff to collect data about Public Art project and conservation funds. The committee members and Arts Board members met with each City Councilor to discuss public art in their district as well as their concerns.

In October 2022, the Albuquerque City Council unanimously approved the Ordinance change from 1% to 1.5% for Art. The added 0.5% is set aside for the conservation and maintenance of works of art in the collection. The Ordinance changes also updated the definition of public art to include temporary and digital media art!

Dr. Julia Bluebird, NRAO Astrophysicist and Sherri Brueggemann Space Chat

Public Art Spotlight: "Space Messengers" by STEMarts Lab

"Space Messengers" is an Immersive Mixed Reality installation and international youth exchange exploring the universe through art, science, and technology. It is a multi artist installation produced by STEMarts Lab.

"Space Messengers" was a temporary public art installation supported by the Public Art Program in October 2023.

Learn more about "Space Messengers."

Are you interested in being part of the

Public Art Process?

If you are interested in hearing about Albuquerque Public Art events and opportunities for artists, sign up for the Public Art Urban Enhancement e-newsletter.

Community Planning Assessments

The Public Art Program works closely with every City department when developing public art projects, including the Planning Department with their Community Planning Assessments (CPA).

Learn more about CPAs and how you can help contribute.

Join an Art Selection Committee

An important part of the Public Art Program's Art Selection Process are Art Selection Committees. Each project has an Art Selection Committee made up of community members, Arts Board members, user agency representatives, and arts professionals.

If you are interested in serving on a committee, email publicart@cabq.gov.

Join the Arts Board

There are vacancies on the Arts Board in:

District 1 (West side)
District 3 (Southwest side)
District 5 (Southeast side)

If you are interested in helping to make decisions for your community about what public art goes where, apply to join the Arts Board.

Episode 5 Sneak Peek

Glass sample by Reyes Padilla

Episode 5 Sneak Peek: Glass Mosaic Project at the International District Library

In 2022, Albuquerque artist Reyes Padilla was selected to design a public art glass installation with world-famous glass designers Franz Mayer of Munich for the International District Library.

This exciting public art glass installation project is funded by the Albuquerque Public Art Program using library bonds.

Episode 5 of Take Another Look will focus on Reyes' glass project at the IDL.

City of Albuquerque Public Art Urban Enhancement Division | cabq.gov/publicart