PASW Regional Newsletter: Autumn 2000
Public Art South West - Activities
Public Art South West is a service of South West Arts. It aims to develop a wide range of opportunities for artists and craftspeople to contribute in diverse and innovative ways to our built and natural environment. Public Art South West takes a leading role in co-ordinating a range of strategies for public art development in the region. In achieving its aims, Public Art South West works in partnership with a broad range of organisations in the public and private sectors, including local authorities, health trusts, environmental groups, tourist boards, housing associations and many others.
Recent projects and initiatives include:
Resources:
www.publicartonline.org.uk was launched with great success on May 10th. A special 'opening event' was commissioned for the day and the first 100 visitors to the site received a unique gift! The site had over 500 visits in the first week and the numbers continue to grow. The site is updated monthly and more case studies will continue to be added. The Debate section is proving popular as is the Events/Notices section - so please let us know if you have any papers/issues you want to post on the site or activities you want to publicise.
The site also contains a list of selected public art projects within the region, many of which are illustrated. If you have anything you wish to be added please get in touch!
Training and Seminars:
On June 14th during Architecture Week, we co-hosted with AXIS 'Creative Collaborations 3 :Merger or Mayhem?' at the Phoenix Centre, Exeter. The seminar focussed on how the personalities involved in the making of spaces has a significant impact on those who use them. The day was chaired by John Lyall of John Lyall Architects and RIBA Vice President for Future
Studies and featured muf, Gail Bolland of Tonic, the Arts and Environment programme for Leeds Teaching Hospitals, and Dr Philip Leather, Assistant Director of the Institute of Work, Health & Organisation, Nottingham University, who presented findings of the pioneering psychometric study into the effect of the arts Programme on hospital staff, patients and visitors, and Richard Wilson, the renowned international sculptor who spoke about his interventions in architectural space. The seminar was very well attended and the day inspired much discussion which was carried on during the evening reception, when delegates had an opportunity to see AXIS, the artists database in action.
Other seminars are being planned including one for the health sector and on ecclesiastical commissioning.
Local Authorities:
we are currently working closely with Bristol City Council in the development of their public art strategy and with Cornwall County Council. We continue to work with a range of other local authorities and to give presentations, advice etc.
Maggie Bolt, Director, PASW