A Jan. 24 Public Art Forum likely will be more than just a discussion about Bismarck Parks and Recreation District properties and consider public art in the Capital City overall.

This is what district director Steve Neu told the Bismarck Park Board at its meeting last week as he outlined the upcoming forum, which was requested by the board.

The forum will be held in the City/County Building's Tom Baker room, where it will be broadcast by local Cable Access Television from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Hopes are that a public art policy for the district's properties will come out of the forum.

Plans are to have a five- member panel lead the discussion, which will be moderated by Michael MacComack, professor and historian at Bismarck State College. Confirmed for the panel are:

n Doug Kane, Bismarck resident who brought the issue to the park board.

n Michelle Lindbloom, local artist and instructor at BSC.

n Ondine Baird, a local artist and art business owner who has been instrumental in the Urban Harvest program.

n Jack Becker, executive director of ForeCastArt, a public art consulting firm in St. Paul, Minn.

Neu said that a fifth panel member, administering a public art policy in a community about the size of Bismarck, is still considering participation on the panel.

"I think we have a good cross section of interested parties to have a discussion," Neu said.

The forum will open with a brief statement along with some history regarding public art in Bismarck over the years, Neu said. Each of the panel members will be allowed an opening statement before discussion is opened to the floor. The public also will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide input.

Board member Paul Quist questioned the status of the United Tribes Technical College art project for 2008. The past four years a UTTC class has developed an eagle-related sculpture which has been put on display at public areas along the Missouri River.

"I don't want them to build something that won't fit into our policy and I wouldn't want the policy curbed to fit the UTTC project unduly. Perhaps they should hold off until we have a policy," Quist said.

Neu said that UTTC students usually made a presentation on possible structures to the board late in March or April. Presently they are just tentatively working on ideas and not building anything. Neu said the district should have enough time to create a policy.

Quist also asked that the district's legal representatives be involved in the process of developing a public art policy. He asked that attorneys possibly provide guidance in advance and then review whatever policy is considered by the board.

District attorney Pat Ward said he would look into the matter.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)