By Laura Spencer
Kansas City, MO – The Kansas City Council today approved a just over a million dollar one percent for art project outside the Bartle Hall Convention Center. The vote was not unanimous, and came after a special presentation by the artist during the council's business session. KCUR's Laura Spencer reports.
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Omaha-based artist Jun Kaneko's Water Plaza was chosen after a 17 month selection process, and approved by the Municipal Art Commission. The final step was approval by the city council, and last week, 2nd district at large councilwoman Bonnie Sue Cooper asked to postpone the vote. Cooper says, in her opinion, the work didn't reflect the newly renovated ballroom's theme of water. During the Business session today, Municipal Art Commission director Porter Arneill defended the selection process.
PORTER: if the city council undermines...it jeopardizes the credibility of this program and all other volunteer commissions.
By a 10 to 2 vote, the City Council approved the One Percent for Art project during the legislative session. Laura Spencer, KCUR News.