Exe Riverside Valley Park Art Plan
Exeter
The art plan for the Exe Riverside Valley Park aims to encourage greater public use of the area between the city of Exeter and the Estuary for recreation and as a community resource. The project is linked to the £30m flood defence improvements being undertaken in Exeter between 2015 and 2017 over a 6-mile area between Cowley Bridge and Countess Wear. The art plan has been funded by Arts Council England and the Environment Agency and is steered by an advisory group including officers and councillors from Exeter City Council, Exeter and East Devon Growth Point, Exeter Canal and Quay Trust, Exeter Cultural Partnership and the Environment Agency.
Research has included discussions with the Countryside Ranger, local businesses, Devon Wildlife Trust, Exe Estuary Management, Devon Youth Service, University of Exeter, Spacex Gallery, the British Dragonfly Society, Active Devon and the sustainable transport officer at Devon County Council. Suzanne has worked with local curator Matt Burrows at Exeter Phoenix to commission an emerging local artist (Nick Davies) to undertake an action research residency to inform the art plan.
It is proposed that the creative programme is led by three themes: enriching biodiversity, play and shelter. We plan to organise a symposium and talks exploring the competing demands upon the landscape with local, national and international speakers and a local audience, followed by a series of mobile commissions and a permanent commission sited within the Exe Riverside Valley Park. The project will require a period of fundraising.
Suzanne has researched, developed and written the art plan working on behalf of Ginkgo Projects for client East Devon District Council.