Volunteers wanted as Dewsbury’s blueprint ambitions for public art gets underway

The Creative Town Arts Plan is a part of the council’s 10 year blueprint vision for the town.

In 2019 Cabinet Members endorsed the Public Art Plan for Dewsbury Town Centre and approved a budget of £200,000 to bring the plan to life.

The plan, written by Creative Scene, shows how the town centre could benefit from public art and how residents, businesses and community groups could get involved in the commissioning process.

The council has now tasked Beam to move the programme forward over the next three years with a variety of permanent and temporary artwork installations in the town.

Beam are inviting local people, businesses, artists, creatives and community groups to get involved and help ensure future artworks weave Dewsbury’s rich heritage with the town’s ambitious future.

Councillor Peter McBride said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone with an interest in the arts, the future of Dewsbury or both, to get involved.

"Public artwork - in its many forms - creates conversations and this investment is an absolutely key part of our 10 year vision to regenerate the town centre as part of the Dewsbury Blueprint.

"The creative renewal of the town will make it an attractive and interesting place for people to come and shop, visit and explore.”

As well as supporting local, emerging artists to develop and grow their practice the team want to encourage young people to engage with arts through playfulness, fun, colour, physical activity and wellbeing.

Artworks could also be creative but serve a purpose, such as signage or street furniture.

There are a number of ways to get involved and you can find out more, or register to be kept informed, on the Beam website