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New policy on the relationship of art, architecture and the built environment
A new policy to support art, architecture and the built environment is to be developed by Arts Council England following a comprehensive review of Architecture Week.
The policy will establish the context for the Arts Council’s investment in the built environment and will provide a framework for developing future initiatives to replace the annual Architecture Week, which ran from 1997 to 2007.
The move follows Leeds Metropolitan University’s independent review of Architecture Week and a period of consultation with the built environment sector. The decision not to continue Architecture Week was agreed with Arts Council’s partners the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Architecture Centre Network.
All partners agreed that the role of artists and architects and the projects they work on have changed radically in the last ten years, and the number and range of organisations engaging the public with architecture have evolved to such a degree, that a new approach is required.
The preferred option was, therefore, for the Arts Council to develop a new policy on how it can most effectively support the relationship between artists, architects and the built environment. This will provide clarity for those working in the sector and those seeking funding from the Arts Council.
Andrew Brown, Senior Strategy Officer for Visual Arts at Arts Council England said:
“The relationship between art and architecture is an evolving one, and the opportunities for the public to engage with architecture have changed dramatically over the last decade.
“That’s why it is time to look again at how the Arts Council can best support a unique interaction that can so dramatically transform the environment in which people live.
“Whatever shape that support takes, we will continue to invest in organisations and projects that promote art and architecture through our £149 million RFO investment in visual arts over the next three years. We will also continue to play a leading role in initiatives such as the Living Places partnership to ensure that communities flourish through access to quality arts experiences and that the arts play an important role in shaping the places in which we live.”
Richard Hastilow, Chief Executive of the RIBA said:
"Through our joint venture on Architecture Week the Arts Council devoted significant funds to raising public awareness of architecture - the one unavoidable art form that is hugely important in people's lives.
"We understand that in developing a new approach the Arts Council remains as committed to other projects that will promote architecture as they have been through Architecture Week. The test for us of this will be both clarification of Arts Council policy and evidence of similar financial commitment. So we welcome the Arts Council's intent to work with the RIBA and Architecture Centre Network to develop its policy on activities to demonstrate the benefits of good design and promote good place-making."
Bridget Sawyers, Interim Chief Executive of Architecture Centre Network said:
“We welcome the Arts Council’s announcement of its intention to develop policy supporting innovative relationships between culture and the built environment. We look forward to working with it to help clarify this relationship.
“The Arts Council’s continuing commitment and support for architecture centres and our sector’s work to create better quality neighbourhoods, buildings and spaces across the country is invaluable. We are heartened to note that funding for this area of activity will continue.”
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