A PLAN to install sculptures at Frankston train station to “change the face of Frankston” could be at least partially funded from the $13.8 million pledged by the state government for the Frankston Station Precinct Improvement Project.
The ambitious proposal, brought to council by the Frankston Business Coalition, may cost about $900,000 so councillors are keen to identify all sources of funding before committing ratepayers’ money to the project.
The Frankston Business Coalition is a group of six businesspeople, including former Frankston mayor Christine Richards, who are lobbying the state government for “a better deal for Frankston” in the lead up to November’s state election.
The group has proposed the installation of seven sculptures from Langwarrin’s McClelland Gallery would make Frankston station and its surrounds welcoming for visitors and residents alike (‘Sculpture move ‘on the right track’’, The Times, 9/6/14).
Councillors discussed the sculptures plan at last Monday’s council meeting. While most were generally supportive of the plan, some were concerned about the project’s price tag and questioned whether the plan was simply a way to “fill a black hole” in McClelland Gallery’s finances.
The gallery faces a funding crisis after the death of major patron Dame Elisabeth Murdoch in 2012. Dame Elisabeth supported McClelland Gallery financially via a $400,000 annual grant and was an active member of its arts advisory panel.
Frankston Council has been advised that part of the state government’s $13.8 million commitment to the station can include financing public artworks but an exact amount has not yet been allocated for this purpose.
Cr Suzette Tayler said she had no problem with artworks being installed at Frankston station but said the process to deliver public art must be open and transparent.
“There are certain councillors that are pushing McClelland… it worries me to hear about a black hole in McClelland’s finances.”
Cr Tayler said local artists, including those at Chisholm TAFE should be included in the process.
Council corporate development director Tim Frederico said any project costed at more than $50,000 would have to go out to tender to get “best market value”.
Cr Glenn Aitken noted McClelland “might not get the job” but could see no reason why this would not be the case.
“Why wouldn’t we support McClelland Gallery who are struggling at the moment?”
Cr James Dooley also urged caution over the project’s possible costs, but backed McClelland Gallery as the local experts in sculptures installation and maintenance.
“Having the McClelland Gallery here is like having the equivalent of the NGV [National Gallery of Victoria] for sculpture works,” he said.
Council will now explore funding options such as Arts Victoria and Australia Council for the Arts grants. Council officers noted up to $200,000 may be available via a Department of Transport Planning and Local Infrastructure community infrastructure fund but council would have to chip in $3 for every $1 provided by the DTPLI.
Cr Aitken said having major artworks installed in and around the station had the potential to “change the face of Frankston” since it is often the first thing visitors see when they arrive.
The council officers’ report noted: “many councils across Australia are considering or putting in place Public Art Policy to include between 2.5 per cent to 5 per cent for public art in significant building and infrastructure projects.”
