OnCue Revealed as Major Donor Behind Stillwater's New Public Art Program

OnCue is the community partner behind a $100,000 donation to launch Stillwater's newly established Public Art Program, fulfilling City Manager Brady Moore's promise of a "sizable donation" to kickstart the initiative.

The Stillwater City Council formally adopted the public art ordinance Monday and accepted OnCue's cornerstone contribution, creating a dedicated committee and fund to support public art development, preservation and celebration throughout the community.

"We have a community partner who has agreed to a sizable donation to help kick this program off, and we hope to be announcing that at a city council meeting soon, so help give some momentum to this new project," Moore said during the ordinance's first reading Jan. 26.

OnCue President Laura Aufleger presented the check Monday, marking the first major private investment in the program and setting a foundation for future public-private partnerships.

"Art ignites change," Aufleger said. "It brings joy, strengthens pride in our hometown and creates shared spaces that are free and accessible for everyone. Public art has the power to inspire, connect people and tell the story of a city in a way nothing else can."

Aufleger emphasized OnCue's commitment to supporting art as an investment in Stillwater's future.

"On behalf of our entire team at OnCue, we are honored to commit $100,000 to launch the Stillwater Public Art Program," Aufleger said. "We believe investing in art is investing in the future of Stillwater. Our family and our company have always believed in the power of art, and we're proud to support something that will enrich this community for generations to come."

Mayor Will Joyce praised both OnCue's generosity and the community's longstanding support for artists.

"Stillwater has long been a community that values creativity and supports both established and emerging artists," Joyce said. "The Stillwater Public Art Program honors that history and promotes continued expansion of our public art collection. OnCue's incredibly generous investment demonstrates how public-private partnerships can help expand opportunities for artists and enhance our shared spaces."

Program builds on existing efforts

The program formalizes years of community-led art integration efforts, building on previous work by Stillwater Art Integration that supported projects including the utility art box program, a communitywide public art identification website and murals at Chris Salmon Plaza.

The plaza will receive its fourth mural installation in May, commemorating Stillwater's sister city relationship with Kameoka, Japan.

Dawn Dodson, Stillwater's chief public affairs officer, said the program reflects years of collaborative momentum.

"This moment reflects the momentum Stillwater has built around public art," Dodson said. "It reflects years of thoughtful work and strong community interest in seeing public art recognized, supported and woven into everyday spaces. This program exists because so many people – artists, partners and residents – believe public art matters and have helped bring that vision forward."

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Committee structure and funding guidelines

The ordinance establishes a nine-member Stillwater Public Art Committee that includes seven members appointed by the City Council, one city staff member and one city administration representative designated by the city manager.

Council-appointed members will serve three-year terms and can be reappointed for up to three consecutive terms. Members must be Stillwater residents or demonstrate community ties through employment, property ownership or leadership in a Stillwater-based organization.

The committee will develop selection and maintenance guidelines for public art, review and recommend artwork acquisition or placement, and promote public art initiatives and education. The group will report annually to the City Council by March 1.

The Stillwater Public Art Fund will receive donations from individuals, corporations, grants and other contributions, plus city allocations determined by the council. Eligible expenses include commissioning, purchasing and installing public artwork; administration and artist selection processes; maintenance, repair and insurance; communications and education; and contributions to private installations of public art.

For private installations, the city can contribute up to half the cost of artwork, not to exceed $30,000.

The ordinance also creates an Infrastructure Art Sponsorship Program, which the city may refer to as the "Utility Box Art Program," allowing visual enhancement of city-owned utility infrastructure through public art. Sponsors will provide funds to cover installation, administration and maintenance costs.

Sustainable structure for future growth

Moore said establishing formal structures ensures responsible stewardship of public art investments.

"Stillwater has long recognized the role art plays in supporting creativity and building character in our community," Moore said. "By formally establishing Stillwater Public Art, the City Council is creating a sustainable structure that allows us to honor our past work while responsibly stewarding future investments and ensuring public art enriches our community for years to come."

The program builds on partnerships with organizations including the Prairie Arts Center, Modella Art Gallery, Stillwater Public Schools, OSU Museum of Art, Stilly Arts, Meridian Technology Center, Visit Stillwater, Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, Stillwater History Museum, StillWonder, Stillwater Community Center, Block 34 and other local businesses.

Additional information about future projects and opportunities is available at stillwaterart.org.