Title
Authorizing the commissioning of new murals for the Saint Paul City Hall - Ramsey County Courthouse Chambers that reflect the diversity and richness of Saint Paul’s history.
Body
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Hall - Ramsey County Courthouse (CHCH) property has numerous works of public art dating back to the 1930s, including four large industrial theme murals on display in the Council Chambers; and
WHEREAS, these murals predominantly feature Caucasian men with minimal or negative representation of women, people of color, native, and indigenous peoples; and
WHEREAS, these images reflect the city's historical past and the oppression of people of color, women, native and indigenous people; and
WHEREAS, these images do not reflect the city's current values, nor do they represent present-day narratives and lived experiences of people of color, women, native and indigenous peoples who live in Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS, the City Council contends that these murals send a negative and unwelcoming message to many of the people who attend meetings in the Council Chambers; and
WHEREAS, Ramsey County and the City of Saint Paul are co-owners of the CHCH property and are parties to a Management Agreement which establishes Ramsey County as the responsible party for the management and maintenance of the CHCH; and
WHEREAS, Ramsey County, through partnership with the Ramsey County Historical Society, will commission and exhibit four new art pieces and associated interpretive materials in the Council Chambers while adhering to key preservation principles as outlined in the Secretary of the Interior’s Standard for Historic Preservation; and
WHEREAS, a diverse and representative public art task force, including representatives from Saint Paul's communities of color and indigenous communities, will be commissioned to advise the City and County on the selection of artists; and
WHEREAS, the new public art would be installed in a manner that does not damage the existing artw...
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