PASW Regional Newsletter: Spring 2001
Public Art Forum Update - Emma Larkinson
At the last Public Art Forum AGM held in Birmingham in October the organisation said goodbye to Lorraine Cox who had been chair for 5 years. Earlier this year Simon Grennan left the post of Director to undertake new projects. I am pleased to be taking up the post of Director of PAF at such an interesting time in its development.
Having worked at West Midlands Arts for just under four years I am looking forward to a national remit and building closer relationships with networks such as Public Art South West. PAF also welcomes a new Chair, Sam Wilkinson. Sam is a visual art consultant. A primary focus of her work is to establish and extend the roles of artists and the nature of the working relationships between design disciplines and professions. Sam is particularly interested in working with the membership and the executive to raise PAF's profile, increase membership and establish a strong place for the public art debate in the widest cultural, social and educational contexts. She would like to see more artists join the forum and sustain the existing membership.
PAF builds the case for the professionalisation of public art practice. In order to support the development of practice the creativity of practitioners must be supported and developed by an infrastructure of information, research, professional guidelines and critical debate. The work that Public Art Forum concerns itself supports the development of this infrastructure.
PAF holds a conference and seminar each year. The events take the opportunity to engage members in discussion within the framework of Theory, Policy and Strategy. Over the past year these seminars have supported the development of the research being supported by PAF, The Benefits of working with Artists. The project will provide case studies and detailed information exploring the benefits of working with artists.
In order to support the varied partners involved in public art practice PAF would like to see the development of a national resource for public art, an initial feasibility study has been undertaken outlining proposals for a website and national archive resource. I will be working to establish funding partnerships in order to further develop the proposal.
PAF publishes Public Art Journal twice a year that profiles current public art practice and theory. It aims to advance critical discourse by providing a forum for critique with a review section within each issue. The current Issue 4 features projects connecting art and science, drawing on projects throughout the UK. The next issue will be available in April 2001. The Journal is available to members of PAF and is included in membership fees, or separately by subscription.
If you would like to subscribe to the journal or find out more about PAF contact: Lisa Harty, Public Art Forum, Halfpenny Wharf, Torrington Street, Bideford, Devon, EX39 4DP. Tel 01237 470440.
Emma Larkinson, Director, Public Art Forum