Policies/Guidance: Leaflet: Swindon Borough Council

The text of Swindon's Public Art leaflet is reproduced here by kind permission of Swindon Borough Council.

Public Art Swindon

Swindon Artscape believes Public Art has a significant impact on the urban and rural environment, creating a sense of identity and community, and improving the quality of the environment and of people's lives. Public Art attracts investment from public and private sectors, encouraging economic regeneration Public Art increases the use of open spaces, reducing vandalism by encouraging a sense of pride and ownership.

What is Public Art?

art in everyday places and in the public domain
the commissioning of new work from artists and craftspeople for buildings and for the natural, urban and rural environment
it can encompass all types of art creating work that can be permanent or temporary, internal or external

Benefits of Public Art

public art enhances the physical fabric of the area and contributes to local distinctiveness
results in innovative high quality works of art designed for a specific place or site
ensures a cultural legacy for future generations
provides employment for artists and craftspeople
encourages debate about art and change in public spaces
new schemes build on Swindon's achievements, maintaining the excellence of its public art collection, for the enjoyment and interest of local people and visitors

Swindon's Public Art Policy

aims to promote quality and innovation in our developments, buildings and planning through the employment of professional artists and craftspeople
aims to foster the imagination of artists and craftspeople and the knowledge of local people, through opportunities for collaboration
aims to encourage public debate about art and change in public spaces, through professional and local participation
aims to enhance the physical fabric of the area, whilst continuing to build on its sense of identity, in the context of Swindon's ambition to be a "City for the 21st century "

Percent for Art

Swindon's Public Art Policy uses a principle called Percent for Art
Percent for Art is an internationally-held principle, widespread and well-established in Western Europe, Australia and the USA as a valid means of promoting quality in the environment through art
it is a scheme whereby a proportion of the capital costs of a new development, refurbishment or landscaping scheme is allocated to commission works of art or design which will be integral to the site

Partnerships in Public Art Schemes

artists and craftspeople work in collaboration with architects, engineers, landscape architects, town planners and other design professionals
artists and craftspeople form creative networks with local people and the wider public
schemes connect sponsors with creative projects which form positive community relationships and provide unique marketing and promotional opportunities

If your company is submitting a planning application and wishes to add value, originality and quality through involving artists in such schemes as paving, street furniture, lighting, signage, glass and sculpture contact Swindon Artscape.

For further information on Swindon Borough Council's Percent for Art and Public Art Policies please contact Swindon Artscape:
Tel: 01793 463000
Email: info@swindonartscape.co.uk
Website: http://swindonartscape.co.uk/pages/homes.html