Palm Springs Airport Commission approves $425,000 art curator contract
Group Creative Services LLC will provide consulting services under a three-year agreement to guide the airport’s new art program.
The Palm Springs Airport Commission voted Wednesday to approve a $425,000 contract with Group Creative Services LLC to provide art curator consulting services for Palm Springs International Airport.
The three-year agreement follows the City Council’s January approval of an Art Program Policy that establishes guidelines for how art is selected, procured, maintained, funded and displayed at the airport. Group Creative Services will help the airport implement this policy.
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Under the contract, the consulting firm will act as a non-voting advisor to the newly formed Art Review Working Group, which will oversee the selection process and logistics for art installations throughout the airport.
Teva Dawson, director of Group Creative Services, told commissioners that effective airport art programming requires more than simple installation. “It’s not enough to just install a piece of artwork. It really needs an extra layer of programming,” Dawson said.
The consulting group plans to develop comprehensive programming that includes artist residencies, socially engaged art initiatives, artist talks and community engagement opportunities. “We facilitate artists and residency programs, advance socially engaged art, artist talks, and create resident-level programs to engage citizens in co-creating more wonder in the community,” Dawson said.
When asked about prioritizing local Coachella Valley artists, Dawson said Group Creative Services will focus on supporting regional talent first while ensuring the right artistic fit for the airport environment. The group maintains connections with artists at local, national and international levels to find appropriate matches for specific projects.
“Our local libraries are not just made up of local authors. Many times the music events we go to don’t just have local musicians, right?” Dawson said, explaining the balance between local support and broader artistic sourcing.
The contract agreement will be presented to the City Council for final approval on Sept. 10.
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