PASW Regional Newsletter: Spring 2005
Public Art South West Activities
Recent Projects and Initiatives include:
www.publicartonline.org.uk
Since Autumn 2004 we have added case studies on Nexus, Art on Transport and Art at the Centre, Reading. The e-list continues to grow in size now totalling 660. To join please visit the site and sign on.
Local Authorities:
Over the past six months we have continued to support the development of public art strategies and activities within the region with a particular focus on Dorset, Wiltshire, Cornwall and Devon ñ further information is found in the public art officer's report below.
Health Sector:
We have been actively advising ArtCare, Salisbury District Hospital , on their commissioning programme and continue to advise on a range of arts programmes across the region, including assisting Derriford Hospital in their appointment of a new arts co-ordinator.
Training:
In November we supported training provided by Bristol East Side Traders for artists living in or around Bristol , who wanted to further their understanding of public art opportunities available. We have been invited back to make another presentation in March and will also be presenting papers at a number of events including a seminar for NALGAO in Cambridge and for a seminar in Portsmouth.
New Initiatives:
We are currently working closely with Creating:excellence on a range of proposals including furthering the research we commissioned into young people and the spaces they need (the research paper can be found on www.publicartonline.org.uk). PASW will also be an active partner of Design South West which is due to be launched in Spring 2005.
Architecture Week:
We are working closely with the Architecture Centre, Bristol and are happy to advise on potential Grants for the Arts applications, for projects relating to this event.
PROJECT:
An event is planned for the first week in May in Birmingham . Details on PROJECT website, www.project-awards.org.uk.
News:
Diana Hatton will be leaving her post as Public Art Officer for PASW in February next year. She says "It is with very great reluctance that I have decided to leave the post. I have two children, one of whom has disabilities and is undergoing some challenges in starting school. After taking advice from educational specialists I have therefore decided to return to freelance work, which will give me greater flexibility to spend more time with the girls. I have loved my short spell with PASW - it is wonderful work for a quality organisation. I shall really miss it."
Artists on Design Teams:
In line with national and regional thinking and developments, PASW has been championing multidisciplinary working and encouraging commissioners and those involved in design within the built and natural environment, to involve artists as 'visual engineers', working alongside other design professionals to deliver high quality environments.
This aspiration of 'broadening the team', to include, involve and fund the work of artists at an early stage in developments, can involve a shift in thinking and a challenge to received mechanisms for commissioning and resourcing public art, both for potential commissioners and artists.
PASW has been advising upon a number of initiatives, in order to encourage and inform a more strategic role for the artist. Projects include:
Yeovil Hospital where lead artist, Raphael Daden, is working alongside architects to design the entrance to the Hospital. Alex Coulter, the Arts Co-ordinater, also says that Raphael's involvement has led to a change and broadening of approach in thinking about other aspects of the hospital design, including wayfinding and colour treatments.
For further details contact Alex Coulter on 01308 456905
Durlston Castle in Dorset where artist Lulu Quinn, has been appointed to work as part of the project team, bringing a creative discipline to all aspects of design, landscaping and interpretation, as part of this significant regeneration project on the world heritage site. For further details contact Cleo Evans, Visual Arts Officer on 01305 224244
Tintagel Centre where Lead Artist Michael Fairfax has been appointed to the project team, working with North Cornwall arts, to influence aspects of design including the creation of a town square and shelter, and interpretation and elements of a circular walk.
For further details contact Sue Richardson, at North Cornwall arts on 01840 214220
Gloucester City where various initiatives involve artists on key regeneration and design projects, including artist Andrew Stonyer at Gloucester Docks development, the commissioning of an artist to design celebration lighting for the City, and the work of lead artist Simon Ryder at Gloucester Hospital.
For further details contact Pat Roberts, Arts Development officer on 01452 384734
The New Arrivals:
Work continues in those areas, which are relatively new to the Arts Council South West region. This includes:
Bournemouth and Poole - support and advice has been given to officers in Bournemouth who are developing a public art strategy. Support and advice has been given to officers in Poole who are setting up a new public art post, developing and actioning Supplementary Planning Guidance on public art, and working with developers on a major commission for Poole.
Wiltshire - support to Swindon continues, following on from the evaluation and development of their public art policy. Joint discussions and support to Kennet, North and West Wiltshire and Salisbury Councils in developing joint guidelines, strategy and training within their authorities, and work on their individual developments.
For further details contact Public Art South West.
Cornwall Artists Training:
PASW will be following up on the 'Prescribing Art' training, which took place in Cornwall last September. The training, co-ordinated and delivered by PASW, through consultation with partners Arts for Health Cornwall and Creative Skills, took artists and architects through an intensive two day residential process, designed to explore the potential and opportunities for multi disciplinary working with artists and design professionals on the LIFT scheme in Cornwall, a major 25 year programme of new health buildings planned throughout the county.
PASW will consult with those artists and architects who took part, and the findings and outcomes of the training will be published via the publicartonline website this autumn.
Kerrier:
PASW is supporting Kerrier District Council who has commissioned a number of artists, through its Liveability programme, for works in parks and open spaces.
Wessex Trains:
Wessex trains are involved in commissioning and involving artists in a number of their initiatives. PASW has supported and given advice to projects including commissions on the St. Ives Branch Line, St. Austell station, and is talking with Wessex trains about the possibility of developing a public art strategy for future opportunities.