Woking Public
Art Strategy
2007
Arts consultancy for Woking Borough Council
on behalf of Artpoint

Woking Borough Council commissioned Artpoint Associate Frances Lord to move the Council’s plans to establish a Woking Public Art Foundation forward and develop a detailed Public Art Strategy for the town and borough. The strategy was intended to provide guidance and direction for future investment in public art in the borough and was based on extensive consultation with local community groups and individuals, the Public Art Steering group, and key council staff and stakeholders.

The strategy focused on the town centre which was identified by the Council as a priority for development. An analysis of Woking Borough Council strategies and development plans identifed key issues affecting future development and opportunities for public art. These included developing cultural activities which contribute to quality of life; encouraging social inclusion, promoting healthy lifestyles and enabling lifelong learning. It also prioritised improving participation by meeting the needs of young people, and raising the profile of the borough. Links were also made with Woking’s Green Spaces Development Plan and Street and Spaces Strategy.

Detailed public consultation through questionnaire and a public meeting revealed a genuine consensus around the idea of celebrating the town’s multiculturalism and rich musical, literary and horticultural history; plus improving the town’s legacy of poor architecture and design. The public were asked their views on a number of issues and valuable contributions were made on ideas for future work, locations, types of public art and themes, including a town centre and cycle trail, improved signage and street furniture, and many suggestions of subjects and public figures that could be commemorated through public art. The public also identified previous public work in need of maintenance.

Mechanisms for delivering the public art strategy, namely through a percent for art scheme, establishing a public art fund, establishing an Advisory Group and specialist public art advisor were also identified

A ‘Working with Artists: Best Practice Step by Step Guide’ for developers included sections on an artist’s role, how to select artists, establishing budgets, artists contracts, insurance, a decommissioning policy and securing additional funding.