WP4008 - Walsall Creative Commissions - AWARD

The Council wishes to procure a high-quality provider to deliver 'Walsall Imagining Spaces', a creative commissioning programme funded by The Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund (CWGLEF) Cultural Pillar.

Walsall Imagining Spaces aims to support exciting projects working with new and underrepresented communities and parts of the borough that might not always receive investment for culture. The programme is aimed at enhancing opportunities to experience and participate in cultural and creative arts and seeks creative organisations to come forward with ideas for imaginative projects that will reach out and into Walsall's diverse communities.

Delivery of cultural programming will actively seek to engage communities through established, integrated networks, inc. Walsall Cultural Compact, to champion the borough's broad cultural sector. The approach is to commission a cultural sector partner resourcing three key strands of delivery, themed around the aspirational imagining of our shared public spaces to attract residents and visitors to urban centres.

Firstly, prime locations will be allocated for temporary public art commissions, as a proven concept via the Council endorsed National Highways M6 Junction 10 Art Competition. Further success of recent campaigns including the Knife Angel, Picturing High Streets, Walsall Canal Street, amongst others, provides evidence for both demand and impact of temporary installations in increasing footfall, improving sense of place and presenting our collective ambition for the future of Walsall. Evaluation will capture learning informing future public art approaches.

Secondly, cultural events will be funded with a focus on enhancing the town centre market offer and third, broader cultural activities will be funded through a capacity building and competitive grants programme, capitalising on the well-networked third sector, and wider independent practitioners, located across the Borough. Walsall's VCS and cultural sector is distinct in the role of broader third sector organisations in delivering community activity alongside sector-specific projects, such arts and culture. Existing engagement through the Walsall Heritage Strategy and wider support organisations, provide the basis for a comprehensive programme of live commissions to support experiential engagement with town centre and high street locations.