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Public Art and Placemaking

This online event was hosted by CLOA Chair Julie Russell and featured keynotes from the Contemporary Arts Society and also ixia.

The session included 5 case study presentations that highlight a variety of aspects and approaches to public art including embedding public art over the long term and funding public art. Presenters offered a candid summary of the challenges and how these were addressed, as well as insights into the impact of the work and how it contributed to placemaking in the local area.

You can watch a recording of the webinar here (1hour 38 mins).

Keynotes

  • Colin Ledwith, Head of Consultancy, Contemporary Arts Society  – set the scene by talking about What is public art? What is its value? Creating a public art framework and approach? in this presentation.
  • Susie Gray, Board Member ixia – shared findings from new research that underline major issues and development potential within the public art sector and highlighted a pilot programme of public art guidance for place improvement programmes in the North of England in this presentation.

Case Studies

  • Tara Murtagh-Stewart, Community Development Partner, Cherwell District Council – offered a case study on Settlement Sculptures – an artistic commission in response to archaeological remains of deserted a medieval village, which halted the building new development. Tara also shared her speaker notes.
  • Roxanna Collins, Culture Officer, Birmingham City Council – talked about the Digbeth Public Art Scheme for Metro Birmingham Eastside Extension as an example of embedding public art over the long term.
  • Zsuzsi Lindsay, Cultural Placemaking Officer, Reading Borough Council – shared how The Armoured Heart was created in response to knife crime amongst young people in Reading.
  • Jess O’Neill, Creative Community Engagement Officer, Liverpool City Council – highlighted The Flower Streets Project that Culture Liverpool collaborated with dot-art to deliver 9 beautiful large scale murals in Kirkdale’s flower street area. This was in partnership with the Safer Streets initiative.
  • Tracy Simpson, Co-Director Addo (a not-for-profit visual arts organisation in Wales) explained how Maes Parcio Creadigol reimagines a car park roof at Tŷ Pawb as a creative green space, working with artists and a mental health charity on co-designing and making the creative infrastructure.