New Public Arts Committee Seeks Members

In January of this year, the City of Newport transferred oversight of the Newport Public Arts Committee to Oregon Coast Council for the Arts (OCCA), which currently operates Newport’s Performing and Visual Arts Centers. The transfer was part of several cost-cutting modifications made following the results of a study of the city’s committee structure. OCCA now seeks applicants for the new Newport Public Arts Advisory Committee (NPAAC), the mission of which is to enhance community spaces through the promotion, creation, and preservation of public art. Community members, artists, and representatives from Newport and surrounding communities are sought and will be selected based on their expertise, dedication to the arts, and commitment to community development.

The ideal applicants will feel a passion for and a commitment to NPAAC’s purpose – which is to foster cultural enrichment and community pride by integrating art into public spaces, support the creation of artwork that complements the natural beauty, diverse identities and history of the region; and serve as a resource for local artists, civic leaders, and community members seeking to develop public art projects. The committee will be tasked with developing and overseeing public art projects, managing the selection and commissioning of new works, advocating for public art funding, and coordinating public art conservation and maintenance efforts.

“We look forward to collaborating with community members in this exciting next chapter of the committee,” said Chasse Davidson, OCCA’s director of the Newport Visual Arts Center. “If you’re excited about the opportunity to bring lasting beauty to the City of Newport and make an impact through the arts, please consider applying.” It should be noted that OCCA is seeking a youth member for the committee, as well as adults. Those interested may submit an application at www.coastarts.org/npaac. The deadline to apply is February 28th, 2025.