- we want your views about public art.
From a lion and a unicorn to a cricketer and a winkle, public art in Hastings & St Leonards improves our public spaces and is set to increase. Public art can range from paving to seating to lighting.
It is anything that can be seen in a public place or private place open to the public, such as a railway station or foyer. It can be a fountain, painting, sculpture and an art performance in a public space.
The Council has put together a public art strategy, which aims to make sure that public art is encouraged and that local residents and artists are involved in the process.
With so much work taking place to regenerate the town, creating new public art pieces will complement and add to these projects. But what's the point of it? Well, although there is not so much of it in Hastings & St Leonards, there are moves to increase and improve it.
Much research has been carried out on the purpose of public art and its role within communities. Simply put, public art is good for people, good for business and good for public areas.
Strategy sets out the case for its role in supporting regeneration. If it is made part of a regeneration strategy it will:
Unlocking the Future, the Council document which sets out its 2002/03 targets, plans and its performance over the last year, sets out the commitment to public art.
Councillor Mike Bigg, Cabinet Member responsible for Regeneration and Tourism, said:
"We have set out our commitment to bringing more public art in the town, which is clearly reflected by the recent and continued development of lighting projects in the town."
"This new strategy sets out a series of ideas to support this aim which include a Per Cent for Art scheme. If adopted by the Council, this would lead to public art designs being considered and encompassed within all relevant development proposals taking place in the town."
"We are unique in that we have a dedicated public arts officer in the Council. Combining this with our really active community would, I hope, lead to the inclusion of local people and artists in our ideas. We also hope to build an advisory group for Hastings & St Leonards, which would have input on the development of public arts projects."
The full Public art strategy and Policy can be downloaded from this website, and can also be picked up from the Hastings Information Centre or you can contact the Public Art Officer 01424 781790 or email publicart@hastings.gov.uk 
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This page last updated: 16/09/2004