A local artist paints live during Art of Biddeford’s inaugural weekend. Contributed / Art of Biddeford

The Biddeford City Council unanimously approved a public art commission ordinance at a meeting on March 4.

The ordinance ensures that the Biddeford Public Art Commission, formed in 2022, is able to create a Public Art Master Plan, approve public art proposals, and oversee the maintenance and care of public art.

“I think public art is really important,” Mayor Martin Grohman said. “I love that we can get into that stuff.”

Biddeford is rapidly becoming a popular arts scene in Southern Maine.

Following the closure of Engine, an arts nonprofit that helped revitalize downtown Biddeford, Heart of Biddeford launched Art of Biddeford in an effort to keep the arts scene alive in the city.

Art of Biddeford is committed to uplifting the arts in Biddeford, Heart of Biddeford Assistant Director Abby Leibowitz told the Courier last month.

“There is a huge arts community in Biddeford,” Leibowitz said.

At a City Council meeting on Feb. 18, local artists championed the public art commission ordinance, noting that there is “energy” around the Biddeford arts scene.

Local artist Jessica Muise said she moved to Biddeford in 2021 because of the arts scene.

“I’m really excited that this is a new opportunity for residents to serve the city and to become involved,” Muise said. “I think it is really powerful and important that we have the opportunity to confirm that Biddeford is a public arts city.”

Rebecca Cote, another local artist, said the council’s approval of the ordinance would show “everyone that has eyes on Biddeford” that the city cares about the arts and what the arts can do for the community.

Art isn’t just about aesthetics, Cote said, but about showing the diversity of community voices.

“It’s about offering opportunities for self expression, which generates better health and wellness in our community,” Cote said.

The City Council wholeheartedly supported the ordinance, with Councilor Norman Belanger noting that it will set a framework in place to deal with public arts and promote public arts in a coordinated way.

“Arts and public arts have been a big part of the Biddeford renaissance,” Belanger said.

The ordinance is also important for the Biddeford community and the city’s economic development, Councilor Doris Ortiz said.

“This is going to bring Biddeford up to the next level,” Ortiz said. “All eyes are on Biddeford. We’re stepping up our game.”