Ambitious new public art will celebrate the River Cam

A report published yesterday (Monday), ahead of Cambridge City Council’s Community Services Scrutiny Committee on 17 March, sets out the principles and process for commissioning the River Cam public art project.

The report also sets out a proposed budget of up to £550,000 for the project, with the bulk of the funding, £450,000, coming from strategic public art developer contributions, and the rest from external grants and sponsorship.

The city’s public art developer contributions are funds secured by the council from developers, in accordance with planning policy requirements, and which cannot be spent on anything other than off-site public art.

The main aim of the commission is to celebrate and promote the use of the river and its environs, to increase community awareness and understanding of its rich and diverse heritage value, and to stimulate and support new social and leisure activities for residents and visitors.

The river’s critical relationship to the founding and development of the city, its ecology and social history, would all be key themes of the project.

If councillors give it the go-ahead, the project will be carried out in phases. The first would involve commissioning an artist to creatively consult with residents, the community and other stakeholders. Phase two would see the final artworks developed and put in place.

The works would be completed in three to four years’ time – a reflection of the scale and challenges of such an ambitious project.

Cllr Carina O’Reilly, Executive Councillor for City Centre and Public Places, said: “We live in an ambitious, forward-thinking city that’s known for its innovation, as much as its history, so it’s right that we look to produce public art which reflects that.

“The Cam is an integral part of the city, constantly shaping the lives of people who live and visit Cambridge, so there will be plenty of very rich material to draw on when it comes to celebrating the river.

“At this stage we have no preconceptions about what the art will be, but we are clear that the ideas, enthusiasm and involvement of city residents will be critical to its success.

“Capturing people’s imagination and getting them involved in the early phase of the project will be priority.”

If the proposals are approved the project will be overseen by a board that includes councillors and key stakeholders.

Cllr O’Reilly is recommended to approve the development, implementation and completion of the River Cam public art project. She will make a decision on the recommendation in the report at Community Services Scrutiny Committee on 17 March.

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Contacts


Cllr Carina O’Reilly (Labour Group), Executive Councillor for City Centre and Public Places, email: carinaoreilly@gmail.com, tel: 07791 227953

Cllr Ysanne Austin (Liberal Democrat Group), Opposition spokesperson, email: ysanne.austin@cambridge.gov.uk, tel: 01223 321441

Cllr John Hipkin, (Minorities Group), Opposition spokesperson, email: castleindependent@gmail.com, tel: 01223 564126

Joel Carré, Head of Streets and Open Spaces, email: joel.carré@cambridge.gov.uk, tel: 01223 458201

Alistair Wilson, Development Manager for Streets and Open Spaces, email: alistair.wilson@cambridge.gov.uk, tel: 01223 458514

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