Public Art Revolution: Mark Davy on Cultural Placemaking Strategies

Ceri explores the world of cultural placemaking as she is joined by Mark Davy, founder of Future City. This episode uncovers how art transforms urban spaces, the challenges of large-scale public art projects, and the delicate balance between artists, developers, and communities. Mark's journey from artist to industry pioneer offers invaluable insights for creatives looking to make their mark in the public realm. Prepare to be inspired by his passion for art, cities, and causing the right kind of trouble!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Cultural placemaking involves integrating art into urban development from the early stages, creating meaningful spaces that reflect local identity and include and engage communities.
• Future City operates as a bridge between artists, developers, and communities, advocating for art's inclusion in major projects and ensuring fair compensation for artists.
• Public art projects often involve complex negotiations, technical challenges, and long timelines, requiring patience, flexibility, and strong project management skills.
• Successful public art often emerges from multidisciplinary collaborations, combining diverse skills and perspectives to create innovative, site-specific works.
• Artists should be proactive in seeking opportunities, forming collaborations, and asserting their value in non-traditional spaces to expand their reach and impact.
• The selection process for public art commissions typically involves long-listing, short-listing, and paid proposal stages, with diverse advisory panels making final decisions.
• Public art can significantly enhance a development's appeal and value, as demonstrated by projects like Clare Woods' work at Grosvenor Waterside.
• Effective leadership in the cultural sector involves fostering a collaborative, non-hierarchical environment, valuing diverse perspectives, and maintaining enthusiasm for new ideas.

BEST MOMENTS 

"If you want to solve a problem, ask an artist."

"Cause trouble, go and cause trouble. Throw a rock in the pond and create a ripple or stir the muddy puddle with a stick."

"Artists are always at the end of the queue. Why aren't artists, you know, we should be inside there. We're clever, we've got great ideas, we've got imagination and passion."

"I'm always looking for that partnership and most of the projects actually that I've done almost all of them involve some form of multidisciplinary relationship."

"Being professional doesn't mean rounding off your edges. It doesn't mean aping what it is to be an artist or following the suit of somebody else."

"Money is not a dirty word. It's crucial for creative sustainability."

PODCAST HOST BIO

Meet Ceri Hand, the driving force behind countless creative success stories. A creative coach, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker, she's committed to empowering creatives to realise their dreams and make a meaningful impact through her creative coaching, mentoring and training company. With three decades in the arts under her belt, Ceri has ridden the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Now, she's here to help you achieve your goals, your way.

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