Money available for arts projects in West Lothian

Sep 24 2009 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

NEW cash is set to be made available to bring the arts to West Lothian communities.

The Grassroots Public Art Grants Scheme will make awards of up to £24,250 for original arts projects to make people feel better about a particular public space.

The scheme is open to community groups and artists working together to come up with an idea for a temporary or permanent public art project.

There are two stages to the application process.

First applicants must get hold of a Grassroots Public Art Grants Scheme leaflet, use the application form to commit their idea to paper and be prepared to discuss and develop it with support from West Lothian Council’s Arts Services.

The second stage is to make a formal submission that will be assessed by an independent panel that will consider all aspects of the project such as lasting benefit to the community plus quality.

Councillor Jim Walker, executive councillor for culture and leisure said: “This new grants scheme is designed to encourage ideas to come directly from people in different communities.

“In this way we should be able to come up with original ideas that can transform local places, reclaiming them for people to share.

“We are looking forward to hearing about great ideas and seeing them become great art projects.

“West Lothian is already rich in public art and West Lothian Council is determined to develop this fantastic aspect of life in the district.”

To provide inspiration, Howden Park Centre in Livingston, is staging two free talks by people who have used public art to transform spaces.

The first is on Thursday, September 10 (7pm to 9pm) when David Wilson, the artist that created most of the huge stone and metal sculptures on Livingston’s roundabouts, will talk about his work, his approach, motivations and ideas.

The second is on Tuesday, November 10 (7pm to 9pm) when Robert and Nicola Wilson, the commissioners of the amazing 80-acre “Jupiter Artland” sculpture garden in the private grounds of Bonnington House, near to East Calder will share their experiences of the commissioning process of working with artists to create a visionary sculpture trail.

For more information on Grassroots Public Art Grants or the talks by David Wilson and Robert and Nicola Wilson go to www.howdenparkcentre.co.uk or contact Camille Archer, arts development officer West Lothian Council, Howden Park Centre, Livingston EH54 6AE, call 01506 773871 or e-mail Camille.archer@westlothian.gov.uk.