One of my pet themes that I am trying to research is what is the link between art, creativity and regeneration?
- Is it something that needs the local government to sponsor, or is it something that springs up and grows gradually? Or both?
- Does a place that has lots of creativity going on always end up having the middle classes come in and push the poor out?
- What does it mean to the average person to live in an area where creativity flourishes?
- Do we need to do anything proactive, like create the conditions where creative people (from someone who enjoys knitting, through to professionals) can meet and share?
- Would we like studio spaces in Armley? (I know I would)
- We have already witnessed a quirky brand of Artiness developing here, from the I Love West Leeds Fesitival, to the Marvellous Tea Dances, to The Charming Armley Calendar, Jam Up the Back Passage, Interplay Theatre, Rock and Roll Circus Recording Studios and Venues.
- What more could there be? (Use the contested Regeneration Billboard as a changing canvas, have a competition to design the best public toilets, empty retail units as gallery spaces and studios, Charlie Cake Park Parades, Urban Picnics???)
- Should we meet and find out what we could do if we put our heads together in a venue with drinks and chow?
Please email or comment jamsiren@thearmleytouristboard.com
Where else has this worked?
Bilbao
Chapel A? Click here to see Chapel A referred to as a case study in a book about global gentrification (However if you do a search on books containing C A they only get 76, Armley has 252!!- Thanks to Barbara, Alan and Peter Robinson!
Where else?
Links to the right- How Folkstone is rebuilding itself with the help of money, art and lots of vision, but from the Ground UP
