Local arts advocates launch nonprofit for public art Local arts advocates launch nonprofit for public art (September 07, 2005)

By Renee Batti

Almanac News Editor

Two local arts advocates who have been involved in creating city-supported public arts programs in Menlo Park and Palo Alto have launched a nonprofit corporation that will collaborate with Silicon Valley governments and companies to produce public arts projects.

Nancy Chillag, who served on the Menlo Parks Arts Commission for eight years and was its longtime chair, and Gerald Brett of Palo Alto have established Site Creations to increase public access to art and, along the way, support local artists.

"To our knowledge, no regional nonprofit art corporation dedicated to public art exists," Mr. Brett said in a press release issued last week. "And while Site Creations will be involved in a variety of activities, public art will be our primary focus."

Site Creations will focus on five areas, according to the statement: major projects with established artists, forums for emerging artists, temporary installations, educational outreach, and publications.

The founders are negotiating a project partnership with the locally based nonprofit arts group Red Ink Studios, with the goal of sharing exhibition space to stage shows.

Ms. Chillag, a Menlo Park attorney, led the Arts Commission in its push to create a "Percentage for Arts" program in Menlo Park. She helped draft an ordinance that required developers of projects costing at least $250,000 to spend the equivalent of 1 percent of their construction costs to install a piece of onsite public art.

The ordinance was enacted in 2002, but was rescinded last year, leading Ms. Chillag to resign in protest. The entire commission followed her lead, and there now is no active Arts Commission in the city.

Before the ordinance was enacted, however, Ms. Chillag and the commission she chaired oversaw the installation of two city-funded public art installations in town.

Mr. Brett was on the Palo Alto Public Art Commission for 12 years; he also served as its chair and was instrumental in bringing a variety of public arts projects to his city.

He is also the founder of Language Pacifica, a school for international students in Menlo Park.

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