New public art project aims to animate Chesterfield

A new public art project is launching in Chesterfield and Staveley this summer – creating new artworks and activities for visitors which will take place over the next two years throughout the regeneration programmes happening in both town centres.

Delivered by Beam, a leading cultural development organisation working across the North of England, the programme will include the appointment of an artist in residence to engage visitors to Chesterfield town centre, a new trail of small-scale artworks to explore, an outdoor exhibition area, a Christmas window trail and a 2D wall art design.

The programme will also include work in Staveley town centre tied to the planned regeneration project, Staveley 21. Details for this element are still being finalised.

A spokesperson for Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Our borough includes a wide range of public art that has been funded through development and this project seeks to build on that history and create new artworks in our town centres to help visitors explore the area.

“We’re excited to be working with Beam to deliver this public art programme, and we hope that it will create opportunities for people to visit the town centre and take part in activities throughout the regeneration works. With artworks planned for both Chesterfield and Staveley this programme will benefit town centres across the borough and create new points of interest for visitors to experience.”

The public art project will coincide with the council’s Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield project, a multi-million-pound regeneration of the town centre that will transform the look, feel and flow of key public spaces, and also complement regeneration work taking place in Staveley.

Beam will shortly be seeking to appoint an artist to take residency in Chesterfield town centre, with the aim of them taking over a vacant shop from summer onwards, where they will engage with visitors and host activities, particularly around school holidays and town centre events.

Kate Watson, principal consultant at Beam, said: “It’s a privilege to have been appointed to work with Chesterfield and Staveley communities and artists to animate public spaces through creativity, building on the area’s rich tradition of public art.”

Funding for the public art project was secured through planning agreements as part of the council’s percent for art scheme, which was part of the previous Local Plan (and now continues on a voluntary basis), and the funding must be used for the delivery of public art.

To find out more about the Artist in Residence opportunity please visit: https://www.beam.uk.net/events/socially-engaged-artist-residency-opportunity/

Looking to experience some of the existing public art in Chesterfield follow our art trails.