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BACKGROUND This temporary art exhibit event was selected from a variety of options listed on the Pleasanton Downtown Public Art Master Plan, officially approved August 21, 2007. At its meeting of August 4, 2008, the Civic Arts Commission voted to designate $40,000 for two (2) temporary public art projects as part of its 2008 -2009 Annual Public Art Work Plan. At its meeting on October 6, 2008, the Commission voted to focus its efforts and attention on one temporary installation of bronze, life -sized representational sculptures, due to the relative ease in obtaining and installing the collection. The sculptures are created by internationally known artist Seward Johnson. These sculptures would be placed in public locations along Main Street for a period of three (3) months, starting in April, 2010. They are free standing, either with large base or as part of a functional bench, weigh several hundred pounds each, and are simply exhibited in place without the necessity of being secured with bolts. Staff has been working with the Sculpture Foundation, a non profit organization dedicated to supporting the work of Mr. Seward and coordinating a unique program designed to temporarily install pieces from his extensive collection in public locations throughout the country. A Commission subcommittee comprised of Arts Commissioners and staff has made a selection of eleven (11) sculptures and identified a variety of locations Downtown as potential installation points. The Chamber of Commerce and Pleasanton Downtown Association (PDA) have indicated their support of the project and shared their thoughts regarding specific locations of the sculptures. On August 7, 2009, PDA and staff introduced the project to merchants who were selected to have the work placed in close proximity to their business, and received an overwhelmingly positive response. The Downtown merchants will receive updates as the project develops, as will applicable City departments. Staff presented the project at a PDA Marketing Committee meeting held on September 17, 2009, and its members were enthusiastic about having the sculptures downtown and plan to participate in ancillary events such as scavenger hunts, which incorporate facts about the sculptures. Operations Services Division staff have been involved in the process and have offered their assistance with installation of the sculptures if needed. Funds for this project have been approved as part of this year's Operations Budget. Although originally planned for fall 2009, the Civic Arts Commission recommended postponement of the project until April, 2010, in order to ensure the availability of the selected sculptures and coincide with the completion of the Firehouse Arts Center. DISCUSSION "Cultural activities attract tourists and spur the creation of ancillary facilities such as restaurants, hotels, and the services needed to support them. Cultural facilities and events enhance property values, tax resources, and overall profitability for communities. In doing so, the arts become a direct contributor to urban and rural revitalization," according to the National Governors Association's 2001 Center for Best Practices Issue Brief entitled "The Role of the Arts in Economic Development." The goals and objectives of the Pleasanton Downtown Public Art Master Plan (PDPAMP) echo those of the 2002 Downtown Specific Plan, and the 2002 Master Plan for the Downtown Parks and Trails System, which all recommend and allow for public art. As stated in the Page 2 of 3