Terms of Reference

Purpose

The Public Art Advisory Committee (the “Advisory Committee”) provides expert advice and contributes to the development and implementation of the Policy and Public Art Strategy. The members of the Advisory Committee participate in relationship-building, consultation and collaboration with organizations and groups on campus and in the wider community.

Mandate 

The Advisory Committee:

• Supports the University’s Public Art Collection mandate and vision
• Provides advice on issues relating to the Public Art Collection’s strategic directions.
• Represents and promotes the Public Art Collection and programming activities in the respective communities to which the members belong.
• Serves as the Public Art Collection’s advocate when liaising with the University, faculties, and external organizations.
• Reviews and recommends strategic plans and provides expert advice on matters relating to the Public Art Collection and programming.
• Examines whether proposed programming, donations and other significant acquisitions are consistent with the vision and mission of the Public Art Collection and serve the needs of user communities.
• Contributes to and upholds criteria for selecting Public Art works for Acquisition.
• Recommends Acquisitions and Deaccessions proposed by the Curatorial Sub Committee. 
• Appoints the members of the Curatorial Sub-Committee.
  Reviews and adopts the annual report of the Public Art Lead.
  

Legal and Ethical Framework

In all stages of its work, the Advisory Committee shall comply with all ethical standards, and provincial, federal, and international laws concerning museums and the works in their Collections.

Membership

The Advisory Committee is composed of at least nine (9) and up to fifteen (15) members, including the Chair of the Committee, the Public Art Lead, as well as members drawn from within and without the University. Composition is diverse, representing Indigenous, racialized, and other underrepresented communities and groups on or off-campus. At least 60% of the members must be drawn from the visual arts sector including at least two external members.

The Advisory Committee is permanent. Members of the Advisory Committee shall include Administrative, Fine Arts Specialists and external members.

Required members of the Committee are:

• University Librarian or delegate, Chair
• Public Art Lead
• Dean, Faculty of Fine Arts or delegate
• Representative from one of the University Art Galleries: Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery or Faculty of Fine Arts Gallery
• Representative from Facilities Management, Planning Department
• Representative from Advancement (non-voting member)
• Student focusing on visual arts practices

Members Internal to Concordia University are drawn from the following:

• Representative of studio arts or art historian, Faculty of Fine Arts
• Representative from the Office of Community Engagement (OCE)
• Representative from the Equity Office
• Representative from the Black Perspectives Office
• Representative from the Indigenous Directions Leadership Council (IDLC)
• Representatives from other offices as needed

Members Internal OR External to Concordia University are drawn from the following:

• A contemporary art specialist with expertise in Public Art
• An Indigenous visual artist
• An artist from underrepresented groups
• A visual artist represented in the collection

Appointment Process and Terms

• The Public Art Lead serves ex-officio.
• The Provost appoints members of the Committee, on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee Chair and the Public Art Lead.
• Any member of the Advisory Committee may suggest new members to the Public Art Lead and Committee Chair.
• Members are appointed for a term of three years with the possibility of renewal.
• Members who are not employed full-time by the University will be paid honoraria.

Chair

The Advisory Committee is chaired by the University Librarian or delegate.

Meetings

• Meetings are generally held at the University with the possibility of virtual meetings
• Meetings are held 2 to 3 times per year, usually one in each of the fall and winter semesters and in late spring.
• The Advisory Committee may be required to make time-sensitive recommendations by email between meetings.
• The Advisory Committee meeting requires a quorum of a majority of the members.
• An affirmative vote must represent a majority of the Advisory Committee membership to be accepted.
• Each Advisory Committee meeting is minuted.

Member Duties

• Members are required to take part in ongoing training.
• Members may contribute to the agenda as it is being prepared.
• Members will participate in some programming activities each year.

Approved by Library Cabinet on December 13, 2023.