New AIPP Artwork Maintenance Reserve made possible with Pulse support
A much-needed artwork maintenance reserve for the City’s public art collection became a reality this past August thanks to the collaboration between the City’s Arts In Public Places (AIPP) program and Loveland Pulse, the City’s high-speed internet service provider.
AIPP is funded by the 1% contribution from all City of Loveland capital projects of $50,000 or more. The additional revenue from the Loveland Pulse project will support the reserve starting in 2023.
According to Susan Ison, director of cultural services for the City of Loveland, the City has needed a maintenance reserve of this nature for more than 20 years.
“The expense of annual maintenance grows as new pieces are donated or purchased,” said Ison. “The additional funding from the Pulse project is significant—and helps confirm that we can finally make this option a reality for Loveland.”
In January, the Visual Arts Commission (VAC) approved a proposal from Joe Bernosky, director of Loveland Water and Power, to defer Pulse payments to 2023. This approval allows Pulse to retain the 1% funds during initial construction years so the utility can get further with construction faster, have more flexibility and contingency with the project, and offer additional value-add services to customers.
Pulse will contribute approximately $700,000 to the AIPP Artwork Maintenance Reserve by 2029. The reserve will set aside revenue for the future that is earmarked for maintenance of the City’s growing and diverse art collection, which sits at 513 pieces today. The current maintenance budget is $75,000 per year.
“This is truly a win-win for Loveland,” said Bernosky. “Pulse will bring educational, commercial, and artistic benefits to citizens throughout the community and even greater (and possibly unknown) benefits in the future. We are grateful for the collaboration to support both Loveland’s public art and its trusted new utility.”
One key benefit of this fund – more dollars to maintain and plan for unexpected deterioration or vandalism of the complete collection, including the well-loved and well-used Benson Sculpture Park with 160+ sculptures on display.
“Loveland’s public art collection is one of the best in the nation, and thanks to Pulse, we have confidence we will be able to keep up the caliber of maintenance needed on an ongoing basis,” said Maryjo Morgan, Visual Arts Commissioner. “Not only is Pulse supporting our public art collection, but the utility is also adding value to the community by bringing affordable, dependable internet services to our residents and business when we need it most.”