Regional Newsletter: Autumn 2001
Art in the Landscape Feasibility Study & Pilot Projects - Northern Devon region
This initiative being hosted by Northern Devon Coast and Countryside Service, who provide countryside management within the northern Devon area outside of the National Parks of Dartmoor and Exmoor, grew from the 'Art in the Travelling Landscape Project' which the Service delivered in partnership with Sustrans.
The 'Art in The Travelling Landscape' involved the commissioning of 28 pieces of functional artwork including benches, waymarkers and shelters for the 28 mile stretch of off road cycle and walking route the 'Tarka Trail' between Barnstaple and Okehampton and was completed in the Summer of 2000. The project was a great success and heralded as a model of good practice for the region, outputting many benefits :
- the enhancement of an existing resource, The Tarka Trail for both local users and tourists.
- the encouragement of greater usage of the Tarka Trail by existing and new users through a raising of its profile.
- the show casing of work by 8 local and regional artists.
- economic benefits for local businesses sited in the vicinity of the Tarka Trail.
Given the recognised success of this project and in support of the 'Local Cultural Strategy for Northern Devon 2000 - 2005', Northern Devon Coast and Countryside Service were keen to work in partnership with a number of key organisations in the area and region to explore and identify the ways in which further art projects might be developed and delivered to bring further benefit to the Northern Devon area. It is anticipated that the potential programme of projects identified will be incorporated into the Coast and Countryside Service's 'Integrated Rural Action Plan'.
An initial 'think tank' meeting, hosted by the Coast and Countryside Service and funded by Public Art South West was held in Barnstaple in January 2001. This meeting invited local authority representatives, National agencies and local arts organisations to discuss the possibilities for arts projects in the area; their expectations and aspirations for such initiatives. This meeting supported, in principle, the initiative awarding the Coast and Countryside Service a mandate to move the project forward. It was therefore recommended that the initiative be taken into a second phase of development - a feasibility study and pilot projects.
The aim of the Feasibility Study is to identify the scope available for the involvement of artists in a range of projects, how they might be developed and delivered. The Study produced will provide a strategy for the development and delivery of art projects across the area, detailing:
- the scope that exists for art projects, both permanent & temporary, in the area.
- the potential involvement of artists in identified projects.
- procedures for identifying and selecting artists, ensuring local, regional, national and international representation.
- potential funding sources, both existing and new.
- potential project partners, both existing and new.
- project management requirements.
- community participation and consultation in projects.
- maintenance requirements, documentation and evaluation procedures.
- a suggested review process.
Running in parallel to the Feasibility Study it is proposed that up to 3 pilot projects (depending upon funding secured) are developed and delivered. Funding for these projects is being identified and sought as part of the initial stages of the Feasibility Study. These projects will serve to demonstrate what is possible; acting as statements of intention.
Work started on the Study, which is being funded by the Coast and Countryside Service, Public Art South West, North Devon District Council and Torridge District Council, in May of this year with the Interim Report being presented to the Steering Committee in September and the Study being completed by the end of the calender year.
Lisa Harty,
Arts Consultant on behalf of Northern Devon Coast and Countryside Service.