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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Jennifer Evans, Public Art Director
DATE: March 9, 2021
SUBJECT:
"Requesting approval to accept the donation of an in-kind donation of picture frames and gallery hanging materials to Public Art."
PURPOSE:
As the Aurora family business Feltes Photography was forced to sell their studio after business loss due to the pandemic, Pam Feltes reached out to Public Art to offer a donation of hundreds of picture frames and 60 frame hanging bars for gallery walls. Ms. Feltes needs a receipt in order to claim the donation as a tax deduction. She states that it is important to her to donate these materials to Aurora. She is valuing the donation at $5,100; it is my professional opinion that this is an underestimation for the quantity and quality of the frames. Accepting this donation will save Pubic Art money on frames that would need to be purchased for future gallery exhibits, and provide additional materials for hanging art. Public Art will also have an opportunity to create an equitable system of donating frames to Aurora artists.
BACKGROUND:
Pam Feltes reached out to Public Art to offer a donation of hundreds of picture frames. Feltes Photography is no longer in need of the frames as they lost most of their business during the pandemic, have sold their studio, and were unable to sell off these remaining frames.
DISCUSSION:
As the Aurora family business Feltes Photography was forced to sell their studio after business loss due to the pandemic, they are offering a donation of hundreds of picture frames and 60 picture hanging bars.
Ms. Feltes needs a receipt in order to claim the donation as a tax deduction. She states that it is important to her to donate these materials to Aurora. She is valuing the donation at $5,100; it is my professional opinion that this is an underestimation for the quantity and quality of the frames.
Accepting this donation will save Public Art money on frames that would need to be purchased for future gallery exhibits. Public Art will also have an opportunity to create an equitable system of donating frames to Aurora artists.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Providing a receipt for this in-kind donation of frames and gallery hanging equipment will make it possible to accept the donation. Accepting this donation will allow the Public Art Department to use high quality frames in gallery exhibits that would otherwise not be affordable for the department. The Public will benefit through improved exhibit programming, as well as a potential program to provide frames to Aurora artists who could not otherwise afford them.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request approval for the City to accept the donation of these frames.
cc: Finance
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of the Donation of Frames from Feltes Photography to Public Art.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, City Council approval of this generous donation from Feltes Photography will save money and provide a valuable resource to the City's Public Art Department.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: hereby approve the acceptance of the donation of frames and gallery hanging equipment for the Division of Public Art.