How you can help choose the art to lift town centre
DROP-IN EVENT FOR BRIGHT IDEAS
A DROP-IN event is planned for tomorrow to ask the people of Huddersfield what public art they would like to see in the town centre.
Officials from Kirklees Council and the Beam arts organisation will take over space in the former Grainger Games shop in Huddersfield’s Piazza Centre.
The council is inviting the public to sit down with them and “have a conversation” on how public art can enhance the town centre.
The event takes place between 12.30pm and 6.30pm.
A council spoksman said: “Huddersfield
town centre is set for great changes over the next decade as laid out in the Huddersfield Blueprint – a 10-year vision to create a thriving, modern-day town centre.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to embed the arts into our public spaces celebrating the unique identity of Huddersfield, taking inspiration from the diverse cultural heritage of textiles and music.
“Kirklees Council, with Beam arts organisation will be creating a public art plan to guide the integration of public art into the town centre and will be facilitating the drop-in event.”
The spokesman said they were looking at both permanent and temporary art including art embedded in paving, walls, lighting or street furniture.
Clr Rob Walker, Cabinet Member for Culture,
said:
“Huddersfield town centre is about to undergo major regeneration and this provides a fantastic opportunity to embed the arts into our public spaces.
“Art not only makes a place more attractive, it also plays an important part in celebrating the unique identity of a place by taking inspiration from its cultural heritage, which in turn leads to increased pride in an area which encourages people to respect and look after it.
“Good art in itself can be an attraction to draw in visitors which in turn increases footfall.
“Our ambition is to create an environment where we can involve more people from a broad range of communities in arts activities, so getting this right is really important,” he said.
People who drop in for a brew and a slice of cake will be asked:
What makes you proud of Huddersfield?
How can public art make everyone feel welcome?
How could public art help you to enjoy the town centre with friends or family?
What artworks have made you go ‘wow’ in other places, at home or abroad?
How can we use art to encourage play in the town centre?
Those who can’t make the drop-in event can make their views known at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ XKXGJXQ