WOKINGHAM Borough Council is fully behind plans to bring more artworks to the area.
Ahead of a discussion in the executive meeting held on Thursday, September 29, about public art, there were two residents questions, both from Arts4Wokingham members.
Robin Cops said the charity was set up to advance arts and culture for public benefit.
He asked the leader of the council: “Do you anticipate that the Council will positively support the installation of more public art in the future across the borough and particularly among the new housing developments?”
Cllr Clive Jones said the council had been working closely with the charity, and supported its vision.
The Cultural Alliance would be rebooted to be “a true partnership of equals to seek creative ways to deliver public art”, he said, adding that public art could be found in Montague Park and Arborfield green, with more planned.
“We really want arts and culture to be really vibrant,” he continued.
The financial picture meant the council would not be able to give as much support as wanted in the short term, but would improve in medium or long term.
Former council leader and now Arts4Wokingham member Charlotte Haitham Taylor then asked specifically about plans for the Arc, which will be installed outside Carnival Pool.
“Do you think that there is anything that Wokingham Borough Council can do to continue to engage the public locally, and specifically to understand the impact of The Arc on communities within the borough?”
Cllr Jones said the council had a priority to developing partnerships with external organisations and communities that enhance the borough’s arts and cultural offerings.
“Subject to the costs and resources required, (we) would be in favour of continuing to work in partnership with arts4Wokingham,” he said.
Ms Haitham Taylor thanks council officers for their help so far, and wanted to know if The Arc could raise Wokingham’s profile, bringing “further investment and economic prosperity into the area”?
Cllr Jones said this was something the council was very keen to do.
“The sculpture, by Nicola Anthony, is really going to create an identity for Wokingham … wouldn’t it be nice if people, in a few years time, were talking about coming to see it, in the same way they want to go and see Anthony Gormley’s Angel of the North.”
