A new scheme to involve artists in the built environment was announced today (4 Feb 2004) by CABE (the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) and A&B (Arts & Business). The investment of £500,000, over the next two years will engage artists in a range of projects that will have a positive impact on the places in which we live.

Public Art South West (PASW) has been appointed to manage this new grant scheme which will be officially launched in May, 2004.

This joint collaboration with CABE and A&B will bring a new dimension to the wider issues of the built environment, not just architecture, but planning and urban design and the role artists' and arts organisations can play within that. The scheme is intended to provide financial support to facilitate collaboration between artists in a variety of mediums, working pro-actively with public and private sector groups on high-quality projects related to the built environment.  

The Scheme will involve the arts, culture, design, education, environment, healthcare, housing and regeneration sectors in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and will cover:

• artists working as part of project teams for buildings and spaces
• the role of artists in Housing Market Renewal, Housing Expansion schemes and other areas that are under-going transformation
• the role of artists in engaging communities in regeneration, planning or urban design projects
• artists as part of master planning teams
• artists as commentators on urban conditions and solutions

Chris Murray, Director of Learning and Development, CABE, commented:

"This funding partnership between CABE and A&B has secured a new award scheme for the arts. We want people undertaking any built environment project to ask; what is the added value of involving an artist, and to look at the contribution of artists to the built environment as a whole."

Colin Tweedy, Chief Executive of Arts & Business, said:

"Our New Partners Investment Programme has already supported 100 projects where artists have worked with private sector investors in developing the built environment and the public realm.  We are delighted to build on this track record by collaborating with CABE on this new award."

"Engaging with artists and arts organisations to develop quality environments, increased environmental sustainability, more effective community interaction and expanded opportunities for economic development is now recognised as key to business as well as public sector success.  We hope this new award will enable the value of the arts to be better understood."

Maggie Bolt, Public Art South West, said:

"We are delighted to have been invited to operate this scheme in partnership with CABE and A&B.  The integration of artists' creativity and skills into our built and natural environment creates benefits for communities, urban renaissance and business.  It is pivotal to developing sustainable and successful communities.  To have an opportunity to develop this way of working on a national basis working in partnership with key organisations across the Country is very exciting."