Sonic Armchair by Kaffe Matthews
As Arts Manager I was Reading Borough Council's lead officer for this major public art programme. In 2001 the council was one of three local authorities selected to pilot a new Arts Council England scheme. Working with Project Director Jeni Walwin, Art at the Centre aimed to encourage roles for artists in city centre regeneration initiatives. Reading received four year funding to support a range of commissions. Projects included appointing artists to create permanent work as part of major city centre developments, and presenting a programme of temporary artist-led interventions aimed at animating city centre spaces. Art at the Centre partners included developers, transport providers, high street retailers and local schools. Following Arts Council England's conclusion of the pilot scheme, I led a review of Reading Borough Council's approach to public art resulting in the launch of a new Public Art Strategy, Artists in the City. I worked with Project Director Jeni Walwin to deliver over 15 projects with artists including Marion Coutts, Dryden Goodwin, Kaffe Matthews, David Ward and Gillian Wearing.
Project Manager
