Public Art

What is it for?

Public art has been used as an element in urban regeneration schemes and tourist development programmes. In many instances, it is intended to improve environmental quality, and is used to upgrade and animate public spaces, which may result in environmental improvement. It can symbolise civic pride or create a corporate image. It may alter a place temporarily or provide for an event or celebration and create a change in people's perceptions of that place. It can enhance their experience of a particular environment, or trigger a memory or association.

Arts Strategy 1999
South Bedfordshire District Council

Environmental Improvement

Public Art projects can improve the environment by:

  • Creating a sense of place and local distinctiveness, and building a visual identity for an area
  • Humanising an environment and making it more attractive, thereby encouraging people to use it and the amenities within it
  • Aiding regeneration by developing a positive identity for an area and improving its image
  • Encouraging people to value their surroundings, contributing to a reduction in vandalism and fear of crime and creating a healthier, safer environment

Social and Educational Benefits

By involving the local community in the creation of public artworks, whether in terms of a consultation process or by active participation in the concept, design and creation of work, public art projects can:

  • Create a sense of local and community pride and develop community ownership
  • Strengthen a sense of community and enhance social cohesion
  • Develop people's interest in, and understanding of, the visual arts
  • Develop people's creativity, extend their social skills and self confidence, and create social inclusion through learning

Cultural Benefits

Public art initiatives can carry a range of cultural benefits, by

  • Enriching the cultural life of a town, and improving the quality of life for its inhabitants
  • Broadening public access to contemporary art and craft, and encourage the understanding and appreciation of visual art
  • Developing the town's cultural profile

Economic Impact

Public art can contribute to tourism and encourage inward investment by:

  • Visually enlivening an area, thereby promoting and reflecting social, cultural and economic confidence
  • Providing a stimulus for tourism and increase revenue to local businesses through an increase in visitors to the city
  • Stimulating economic growth and development by improving the environment and reinforcing cultural identity
  • Contributing to the local economy by creating employment opportunities for local artists, craftspeople and associated businesses

The best results are obtained when opportunities are identified at the earliest stages of designing a scheme, allowing for consultation and collaboration between architects, planners, engineers, artists and the wider community. South Bedfordshire District Council has an experienced Public Art Steering Group in place that could manage this process. Members include residents, councillors, young people, artists, and retailers.

South Bedfordshire District Council 'believe that Public Art is important and can make a significant contribution to the quality of our communities' built environment.' As a council we are committed to encouraging developers to explore the ways of supporting and involving artists in new schemes, in the belief that public art projects can fulfil a range of key objectives of mutual benefit to both the funder/ developer and the District's residents and visitors.

'Arc' by Sam Haynes
Location: White Lion Retail Park,
Funded by Wilson Bowden Developments, and Celexa on behalf of SPP Investment Management

Three structures sit behind three benches, echoing the curve of the circular paving designs. Each piece is made up of two rolled, stainless steel arcs that sandwich together curved and etched sheets of glass or laser cut steel. Two of these structures are mounted vertically, running directly into the ground behind the benches, whilst the third stands horizontally on legs.
Light reflects off the glass at different angles depending on where the onlooker stands. Throughout the day arced shadows will rotate and extend around the space with the angle of the sun.

'Timelines' by Adrian Moakes
Location: Vernon Place, Dunstable
Funded by Asda Stores Ltd.

"I felt it would be relevant to look back to Dunstable's history as a market town, particularly as the artwork was to be situated in an area close to where a number of Roman artefacts have been discovered. It seemed fitting to choose an amphora as in Roman times they were used to transport, store and sell commodities like perfume, grain, olive oil and wine. In fact they were probably one of the earliest forms of commercial packaging."

The sculpture consists of nine planes of plate steel, each representing a different contour line which, when viewed together in line, combine to form a three dimensional illusion of a gigantic, elegantly curved amphora. It is finished in a reddish gold paint that echoes the original Roman red-ware ceramics. To make the piece look more like an archaeological find in the process of excavation, it is set at a five degree tilt sticking out of the ground rather than setting it on a traditional plinth.

There are two ideal viewpoints from which to see the image, one being from outside Asda's main entrance, looking straight up the path to Vernon Place. The other is from the opposite direction, at the junction of Queensway and High Street North. On walking up to and around the sculpture, the image will expand and transform into an abstract angular structure intentionally open to individual interpretation.