Birmingham Public Art Strategy 2015 – 2019 Consultation

Overview

Strategy Overview

The Birmingham Public Art Strategy 2015-2019 is currently being developed for Birmingham. The following draft Strategy vision, purpose and objectives have been put forward for consultation:

The draft strategy vision:

Birmingham is a world-class city of culture and artistic excellence, and public art plays a key role in the cultural life of the city. Birmingham’s vision is to have world-class public art that is relevant to, and celebrated by, Birmingham’s residents; is reflective of Birmingham's identity; and contributes to the creation of distinctive places in both the city centre and in local neighbourhoods, setting Birmingham apart as an international cultural destination.

The draft strategy purpose: To advocate for public art by valuing the role it can play in strengthening Birmingham's communities; enabling young people in the city to develop as creators, audiences, participants and leaders in the creative field; improving Birmingham's reputation as an inward investment destination; enhancing Birmingham's cultural offer for visitors and residents; enhancing the quality of public realm, including parks and open spaces and recognising key events and moments in the life of the city.

The draft objectives:

To realise the strategy’s vision and purpose by:

1. Improving the management of the existing portfolio of public art works in Birmingham
2. Improving the funding base for commissioning and maintaining new public art works in Birmingham
3. Improving the functioning and awareness of Birmingham City Council’s internal Public Art Gateway Group (for more information about the Public Art Gateway Group, please see the downloadable information sheet below)
4. Improving the information, advice and support available to local artists
5. Improving the practice of commissioning and developing public art in Birmingham
6. Improving awareness of public art in the city (including its promotion)

The draft strategy vision:

Birmingham is a world-class city of culture and artistic excellence, and public art plays a key role in the cultural life of the city. Birmingham’s vision is to have world-class public art that is relevant to, and celebrated by, Birmingham’s residents; is reflective of Birmingham's identity; and contributes to the creation of distinctive places in both the city centre and in local neighbourhoods, setting Birmingham apart as an international cultural destination.

The draft strategy purpose: To advocate for public art by valuing the role it can play in strengthening Birmingham's communities; enabling young people in the city to develop as creators, audiences, participants and leaders in the creative field; improving Birmingham's reputation as an inward investment destination; enhancing Birmingham's cultural offer for visitors and residents; enhancing the quality of public realm, including parks and open spaces and recognising key events and moments in the life of the city.

The draft objectives:

To realise the strategy’s vision and purpose by:

1. Improving the management of the existing portfolio of public art works in Birmingham
2. Improving the funding base for commissioning and maintaining new public art works in Birmingham
3. Improving the functioning and awareness of Birmingham City Council’s internal Public Art Gateway Group (for more information about the Public Art Gateway Group, please see the downloadable information sheet below)
4. Improving the information, advice and support available to local artists
5. Improving the practice of commissioning and developing public art in Birmingham
6. Improving awareness of public art in the city (including its promotion)

Why your views matter

Strategy Development – Background

In 2014-15, Birmingham City Council (BCC) will be working with partners to replace Birmingham’s Cultural Strategy 2010-15 (Big City Culture) with a new vision reflecting the current economic, social and political context. This Public Art Strategy will sit within this new framework, along with the revised Creative Future Strategy for Children, Young People and Culture, the Birmingham Heritage Strategy and Birmingham’s Festivals Strategy.

The Public Art Strategy will sit alongside other key Planning Strategic Documents such as the Birmingham Development Plan and Lighting Spaces Policy; as well as other relevant BCC strategies such as Transforming Place, Birmingham’s Neighbourhood Strategy. This Public Art Strategy will also link to the National Planning Policy Framework (DCLG, 2012) and Planning Practice Guidance.

While strategies have been developed for individual sites and developments since and have largely been led by Planning requirements, this will be the first citywide strategy for Public Art since 2002 and will reflect a wider range of considerations including funding mechanisms, quality and impact, local engagement, siting and maintenance. 

The strategy’s production has been overseen by the Public Art Strategy Steering Group, chaired by Councillor Holbrook (BCC Cabinet Member for Skills, Learning & Culture). Members include the BCC Deputy Leader, representatives from BCC Culture and Visitor Economy, and Planning and Regeneration services; Birmingham Museums Trust; Birmingham City University, Glenn Howells Architects; Eastside Projects, and advice and guidance from Ixia.

Who are we consulting with?

Public Art commissioning and maintenance responsibilities cross over  a wide-range of sectors, therefore individuals representing developers; Business Improvement Districts and local centres; businesses; schools; the higher and further education sector; the health sector; community and resident groups; the housing sector; the environmental sector; the heritage and cultural sectors; planners; artists; architects; engineers; urban and landscape designers and the transport and infrastructure sector are welcomed. All contributions will be hugely valued.

Why we are consulting, and what are we consulting on?

We are consulting to seek initial views from those who have an interest in the practice, commissioning and siting of public art. Comments received through this process will inform the strategy content.

Please take the time to complete our survey below:

What happens next

What Happens Next?

Comments received through this process will inform the strategy content. Feedback will be discussed at the next Public Art Strategy Steering Group meeting. A final draft version of the strategy will be completed and put out for public consultation in February 2015. Comments from this second consultation period will further inform the strategy content. The strategy will be taken to Birmingham City Council Cabinet Meeting in April 2015 for agreement and adoption.