Art lovers may be able to see their ideas unfold in East Lansing.

The East Lansing Arts Commission is looking for someone to fill an opening after a member resigned.

The commission is looking for an East Lansing resident who has a background in art and an interest in sculpture.

Lori VanOmmeren, the city’s urban designer and staff liaison to the commission, said the new member’s term would go through the end of 2003.

She also said the commission is very important to promoting art in the city.

“They advise city council on matters pertaining to art programs, review and request support for art programs and administer the public art program,” she said.

VanOmmeren said the commission also helps to fund the purchases of art, such as the statues in the median on Grand River Avenue.

Michael Sundermann, the commission’s chairman, said he hopes to fill the seat by the first of next year.

He also said the commission has a good idea of what it is looking for in an applicant.

“We would like somebody that has some volunteer experience and who likes working with people,” he said. “Someone who has an appreciation for art and would like to see improvements in East Lansing’s art.”

The commission consists of nine members, who meet 10 months out of the year at 5:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month at City Hall, 410 Abbott Road.

The commission also has subcommittees that meet on an as-needed basis.

Sundermann hopes the newest member of the commission will be able to contribute to the Public Art Committee, which decides what type of art East Lansing needs for the public.

“The Public Art Committee is not as active as we would like it to be,” he said. “Maybe if we had someone with an interest in the sculpture area it might help focus more on public art.

“We’d like to see a lot more public art in the downtown.”

Judith Taran, the city’s communication director, said the committee has done a lot for the city since it began in the mid-1970s.

She said the commission began as a committee of interested residents, who were made a commission by city council.

“Over the years they’ve done a tremendous amount and instituted all kinds of activities that I think have changed the face of East Lansing,” she said.

Taran said the commission has supported the public art program, which places art in the downtown area, and it is a sponsor of the annual art and film festivals. It has also helped design improvements of the downtown landscaping.

“They are always going to the community and asking them, ‘What would make this a better place to live in?’” she said. “They are the creative eyes and ears encouraging us to have things that are beautiful and have cultural awareness.”