City to set up account for 15% art commissions

City leaders took the first step Tuesday night to establish a 15% commission on art sold at city facilities.

Proposed is a city account earmarked specifically for revenues from art-sales commissions.

City Manager Rick Horst told the Maricopa City Council “the future is looking very bright” for more art sales opportunities and more commissions on city properties.

The proposal comes as city leaders are seriously considering conversion of the old Maricopa police station into a future arts center. Such a move would give a permanent home to the city’s burgeoning arts community.

An arts center would be a place where area artists could exhibit their works.

The city’s Cultural Arts and Affairs Committee has brought the 15% commission proposal back to the city “with great excitement,” Horst said.

Councilmember Eric Goettl proposed the council formalize the 15% commission and direct city staff to create an account for art-commission proceeds.

“I would like to pigeonhole that money, to give an actual account and then look at other possibilities” when city establishes an arts exhibition hall in space at former police department, Goettl said.