As will be clear from the previous section, working in partnership is crucial to the development of arts work locally. Your work is well placed to do this, because the arts are often referred to as one of the “crosscutting” strands of local authority delivery. This means the different events that you set up as artistic may also be about skills development, town centre renewal, regeneration, green issues, youth engagement and so on. This is good practice on a number of levels – it encourages partnership, brings money into the arts, and delivers different agendas (and it will potentially impact on your authority’s CPA rating).
This approach can result in some excellent and sustainable practice:
B.7.1 Town Centre Management:
An independent Town Centre Management group in Stamford, Lincs wanted to develop public art as part of the enhancement of the town. Working with the local authority arts officers, they were able to access supplementary funds from ACE, and the European Union, to develop a range of water creations, paving, sculpture and contemporary furniture, providing employment for County artists, and creating a unique and original centre to their market town. Contact: david.lambert@lincolnshire.gov.uk
B.7.2 Recycling Services
A project between the Waste Management, Recycling and Leisure Development Officers to find an innovative way of imparting information to members of the public about the recycling services of the Council. This resulted in a free summer-long programme focusing on the environment and recycling issues entitled 'Seaside Resorts Littered with Artists' . Professional street performers and theatrical organizations were commissioned to perform a range of live theatre addressing issues of litter and re-cycling in seaside locations in Teignbridge, South Devon. One of the Council's corporate objectives is "to work towards litter-free streets and public spaces through education, enforcement and investment in these services"
Experienced theatre companies - Big Rory and Co, Desperate Men, Forkbeard Fantasy and Dot Comedy produced a range of performances in response to the brief. Their acts took place in a variety of locations over the Summer period of 2005 and were witnessed by thousands of people. A separate group of artists, TRAIL, also worked in the resorts to develop a complementary project resulting in an outdoor exhibition of recycled sculptured artwork. Contact: DPollard@Teignbridge.gov.uk
B.7.3 Arts and Health
Arts Action York - the community arts team within City of York Council - supported the local NHS Trust to initiate a hospital arts scheme in York District Hospital.
This involved supporting the 'Arts and Environment' steering group at the hospital to develop an arts strategy, draw up a job description and recruit and interview /appoint an arts officer. The team are continuing to help develop the project with joint funding bids (e.g. Welcome Trust) and the establishment of a second post dedicated to creative activities on the renal units. Contact: Emily.harvey@york.gov.uk
As part of the impact of cultural activity in the Leicestershire Local Area Agreement, the Leicestershire Education and Community Services departments will work with the four Primary Care Trusts to undertake a two year research study involving artists and arts organisations in the Healthy Schools Initiative. This initiative will explore new and innovative ways of promoting positive approaches to healthy living by artists and arts organisations. A number of other crosscutting projects also deliver the Leicestershire LAA. Contact: MFattorini@leics.gov.uk
 |
 |
| Willow artist Laura Ellen Bacon. Image: Alan Fletcher |
|
B.7.4 Neighbourhood Renewal
For 'York Pride' - a neighbourhood renewal initiative - the community arts team coordinated a public art project in collaboration with the local street environmental officer in the Acomb area; community groups and businesses were involved in a consultation and the creation of a pavement installation in a newly re-landscaped area by the main shopping centre. Children and young people made clay tiles showing their ideas about Acomb - these were cast in aluminium and permanently set into the pavement, providing a local landmark and prompting one young boy to announce that he would bring his grandchildren to see his tile when he grows old! Contact: Emily.harvey@york.gov.uk
Go to next Section B page
