Over the last 3 years we have had the privilege of commissioning 34 creative practitioners, through 13 commissions, directly engaging an estimated 830 participants and a wider audience of approximately 36,000 people and producing 3 short films.
The programme has included embedding artists in design teams, temporary and permanent commissions in a range of artforms and materials such as murals, street furniture, sound, installation, digital, augmented reality, textiles, ceramics, film etc. All commissions embedded community engagement opportunities and sought to develop new partnerships.
We focused on connecting the programme with the wider developments outlined within the Dewsbury Blueprint to positively engage residents with the changing town centre.
Commissions Included:
Photo (c) Lucille Moore.
“This looks wonderful!! Chuffed to see a bit of loveliness here” Visitor.
Urban Rewild by Emmeline North
Photo (C) Phil Drakett
Sculpting a Continent by Andrew Warburton
Let’s Talk Shop by Aidan D’Abet & Kelly O’Reilly
d-e-w-s-b-u-r-y Letters by cubic Fruit
“Love this! Going to look fab in the summer. It is something positive, in the right direction. Hopefully a sign of Dewsbury reclaiming its identity.” Resident
Shoddy Factory Workshops by Kerry Lemon
Photo (C) Kerry Lemon
“Absolutely loved being part of this.” Participant
Tales from T Mill by Harriet Lawson
Photo (c) Lucille Moore.
Sounds of Dewsbury by Duncan Chapman and Manasamitra
“Really interesting; we are from Huddersfield and don’t come to Dewsbury often, so we would never have realized what was here.” Participant.
Photo (C) Timm Cleasby
Arcade Glazing Concept Design Development
Design & implementation for temporary Market by Cubic Fruit (ongoing)
New figurative sculpture for Dewsbury by Zachary Eastwood Bloom (ongoing)
Beam managed the programme budget, maintaining a detailed breakdown and cashflow, and reporting to the client on a quarterly basis. To maximise the programme we successfully connected with other regeneration budgets and secured additional funding through an Arts Council England ‘Project Grant’ to the value of £29,750 which supported artist mentoring and CPD opportunities, including work with the local College.
Creative development, mentoring and learning opportunities
- Artist Talks in collaboration with Kirklees College sharing learning from commissioned artists.
- Embedding learning opportunities for Kirklees College students within commissions
- Two mentoring opportunities: Karen Stansfield with Zachary Eastwood-Bloom and Lisa Knight with Lenny & Whale
“This live learning experience has grown my skill base and understanding to make me confident to pursue commissions for the public realm, devise my installations, and seek funding or connections with events. It has indeed been a fantastic adventure!” Mentee.
Kirklees Council commissioned Beam to deliver the Dewsbury Creative Town Arts programme from 2020 – 2023.
Film produced by Opal Video.