Bill requires more artwork in new public buildings

Wednesday, April 7th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Despite concerns that the bill was a waste of taxpayer money, the Oklahoma House on Wednesday approved a measure that would require new state buildings to be adorned with more artwork.

The Oklahoma Art in Public Places Act, by Rep. Dale Wells, would require all state agencies to spend 1.5 percent of the total cost of any capital project on artwork, with a maximum cost of $500,000.

The bill, which passed 72-26, applies to all new parks, state-owned lands and higher education institutions. Exemptions include water, sewer, public utility projects, prisons and capital projects subject to federal public art laws.

Selection of artists and approval of projects would be made by a nine-member oversight committee composed of an artist, architect, engineer, museum curator and representatives from five state agencies.

``If you're going to build something, it ought to be aesthetically pleasing,'' said Rep. Ray McCarter, D-Marlow. ``If you've ever sat in a (Department of Human Services) building, you know what I'm talking about.''

But several House Republicans spoke out against the bill, arguing that it was a waste of taxpayer money and would add to construction costs.

``There's nothing wrong with art, but I think people who can afford it ought to be the ones who pay for it,'' said Rep. Mike O'Neal, R-Enid.

Rep. Bill Graves, R-Oklahoma City, agreed, adding that the same could be accomplished with private funds.

``All this is going to do is drive up the cost of buildings,'' Graves said. ``We may have art that many people don't find tasteful.''

Wells, the author of the bill, pointed out that any artwork legally defined as blasphemous or obscene could not be approved.

Rep. Odilia Dank, R-Oklahoma City, said some of the greatest governments in history have left behind artistic treasures for people to enjoy.

``They have transcended the test of time,'' she said. ``Art is a part of our culture. It is part of our legacy that we leave.''