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The selection
Seven communities have been chosen to work with artists and curators to create their own public art commission.
From April 2006 to Spring 2008, nominators and curators are working together to:
- create a brief for their site
- meet artists
- experience a range of art
- raise funds
- enthuse and involve their extended community.
By the end of May 2007 they will commission an artist.
The selection was very difficult, with many very strong site nominations. In the end these were selected:
Burnley
'The thing about art related projects is that it's the basis for conversation. Even though the conversation may be difficult at times, it has to happen.'
Chris May, Director, Creative Partnerships East Lancashire
Who A group of 15 young people from across Burnley, working with Creative Partnerships East Lancashire and Burnley Borough Council. This project is an opportunity for local people to take control and to tell of their own experiences of living in a town too often remembered for old newsreels of racial disturbances.
'The trick is to make it high-profile, adventurous, exciting, but keep it connected to the community and make sure the community own it and can shape it themselves.' –
Chris May, Director, Creative Partnerships East Lancashire
Where The main commission, involving UK art collective greyworld and wholly led by young people, will use the entire town as a kind of living canvas for a series of paintings that appear and disappear. Meanwhile, a programme led by local and regional artists will seek to engage and inspire communities across the borough.
Why The project is about much more that the final artwork – it is about sharing ideas, strengthening communities and building confidence. It also about raising aspirations and challenging negative perceptions both locally and nationally.
Talking point Can art help people reclaim pride in their area?
Have your say >>
Video The young people of Burnley talk about their hopes and aspirations for a town trying to pull together its diverse community.
View >>
Website The young people have also created their own project website at www.bigartpro.co.uk.
See also latest news.
Cardigan
'The river was, until about 100 years ago, one of the main arteries of Wales. My job is to turn the river back into something worthwhile for the town's economy.'
Jim Evans
Who Jim Evans
Jim, who is managing the town's soon-to-be-completed regeneration project, leads a group of local Cardigan enthusiasts keen to promote eco-tourism in this beautiful spot.
Where Prince Charles Quay
Once a bustling centre, the derelict old port area is getting a make-over and the community is right behind its regeneration.
‘The whole Estuary is designated an area of scientific importance because it is so special in terms of wildlife, and my prime objective is to return it to some kind of economic activity without despoiling what it is, it’s quite a tightrope to walk, but that’s effectively my job, to walk this tightrope for two years and develop new opportunities on the banks of the river, so that visitors and locals alike can enjoy it again.’ – Jim Evans
'When people come here and see the estuary they go "Wow!". We have wildlife here that Bill Oddie would die for – otters, kingfishers, salmon, dolphins, porpoises –and we see an opportunity here to have a lot more than that.'
Jim Evans
Why Proud to have neither fast-food outlets nor traffic jams, Cardigan needs a substantial open public space with a piece of art at its centre. Its passionate locals hope that the new Prince Charles Quay and the Big Art Project can sort that one out.
Talking point Can art kick-start tourism?
Have your say >>
See also latest news.
Isle of Mull
'It's going to be something that really will be fabulous and could really touch people.'
Lee Hendrick
Who Lee Hendrick
Visual arts officer Lee wants art to unite her geographically dispersed island community.
Where There are three possible sites:
- Craignure Pier, a 'blank canvas' where the ferry docks
- West Ardhu Community Forest, a swathe of spruce trees currently being rescued from developers
- The new Mull Theatre site on a lush Victorian country estate.
'A single site could act as a magnet; somewhere everyone's drawn to. But if the public art is a performance, it could be something that went to different sites and was more a travelling experience.' - Lee Hendrick
'There was a time when Mull and Iona were at the centre of things because there were no roadways and everyone travelled by boat. I think there's a way that we could become the centre again.'
Lee Hendrick
Why These can-do island people are scattered around their beautiful but undiscovered landscape. One thing unites them: the wish to pull together around their 'island-ness'.
Talking point Can art unite a community? Art asks difficult questions. Does it solve problems or create them?
Have your say >>
See also latest news.
Newham, east London
'Putting art up there will say that Newham's a tight community 'cos it's caring for everyone and allowing them to share the art.'
Stacy Blanc
Who Jonathan Swan and Stacy Blanc
Jonathan, a determined city banker, and Stacy, an independent-minded teenage single mum and student, think that art more than the Olympics will bring lasting benefit to Newham.
Where Beckton Alps
The highest point in Newham and with astonishing views over London, this slag heap and former dry ski slope mainly hosts the occasional bonfire for underage kids to drink by.
'The site can be seen from a wider area, and for me it's just crying out for something big and spectacular.'
Jonathan Swan
Why Culturally diverse, Newham's segregated communities could unite around a big piece of statement art perched against the skyline on this panoramic site.
Talking point Does art have to be good for you or your community? What does that requirement do to the art?
Have your say >>
'When I was a child this commanding height was the blackened slag heap of what was once the biggest gasworks in the world.' - Billy Bragg, singer
See also latest news.
North Belfast
'What I would like to see is young people coming together and enjoying each other's company, and not even thinking about what religion they are.'
Katrina Newell
Who Katrina Newell
Youth arts co-ordinator Katrina has a dream that young people from different religious backgrounds reclaim this beautiful park.
Where Waterworks Park
Although the only green space in this deprived area, some parents think it's no longer safe for children to play here unsupervised. An interface between Protestant and Catholic communities, it can be threatening.
'Although it is a divided park, it is also a neutral space where communities can come together and create something together.'
Katrina Newell
Why
With over a quarter of deaths during the Troubles occurring here, art could bring together people from across the religious divide.
'North Belfast has seen the worst effects of sectarian attacks and violence. You can either sit back and let that happen or you can try to take a step towards getting children to work together.' - Katrina Newell
Talking point Can art bridge contested spaces?
Have your say >>
See also latest news.
Sheffield
'The support for this is enormous. Everyone wants it to happen so much. I even considered praying last night for the first time!'
Tom Keeley
Who Tom Keeley and Tom James
These boys are funny, cheeky and cool. And they love Sheffield. There's massive support for this site, and this committed duo are powering it.
Where Disused cooling towers, Meadowhall
Graceful, enormous and unused, the twin concrete towers are a controversially beautiful legacy of Sheffield's 'Full Monty' past.
'They're next to the M1 so they've got the biggest audience in the world. They're a gateway to the north. They're chuffing massive.' - Tom Keeley
'Creeping slowly past the cooling towers …Deserted factories … looking for an adventure'
My Legendary Girlfriend, Pulp
Why
The towers could re-imagine Sheffield on a huge scale. Industrial past; green future.
Talking point Locally dubbed 'Bill and Ben the Flowerpot Men', these are Sheffield's icons. Can art commemorate and regenerate – intelligently?
Have your say >>
Video Sheffield residents talk about what the iconic disused Cooling Towers mean to them and what they would like them to be used for. Features The Long Blondes.
View >>
See also latest news.
St Helens
'This site, it's a huge blank canvas and it's waiting. It's waiting for something to come along and grab the imagination of the people of St Helens.'
Gary Conley
Who Gary Conley
Gary is an ex-miner totally in love with the idea of art bearing witness to his once vibrant colliery community.
Where Former Sutton Manor Colliery, Sutton Manor
The site is a vast open area at the apex of the pit head, where the former spoil heap rises high above the Lancashire plain.
'We really want that piece of artwork! I feel so strongly about it and I know all my ex-colleagues do. They would absolutely love a piece of artwork to signify the heritage that we have in St Helens.'
Gary Conley
Why
With 400 years of mining in their blood, this fragmented community passionately wants a huge commemorative piece of art to tower over their landscape as a gateway to Merseyside. It's about heritage. It's about the future.
'People who used to work at the colliery have asked as their last request for their ashes to be scattered on this site. How more tender, how more close-knit can you get than that? People are totally behind this project!' - Gary Conley
Talking point Can art look both ways: past and future? Is this about nostalgia or a new identity?
Have your say >>
Video Former St.Helens miners re-visit the land where their colliery used to be. Features a poetry reading by Johnny Vegas.
View >>
Website The St Helens residents and steering group have created their own project website at www.bigartsthelens.com.
See also latest news.
