THE BIG PLOT
pARTicipate
pARTicipate is a three-year arts programme developed from a partnership between HMR (Housing Market Renewal) , Oldham Borough Council, Rochdale Borough Council and Arts Council England.
There is a wealth of research about the value that culture and arts can play within communities, particularly those undergoing regeneration. These benefits can range from improving the physical quality of the local environment to building stronger community relationships and community identity.
The pARTicipate programme is all about exploring and evaluating different ways of integrating art and the use of artists into the process of change in HMR neighbourhoods. Artists and creatives are assigned to work within and across our intervention neighbourhoods, supporting our work by focusing on the following key themes:
Sense of place
Community cohesion and integration
Engagement and empowerment
pARTicipate is supported by a grant of £50,000 from Arts Council England North West, who is working in partnership with the housing market renewal pathfinders in the region to maximise the potential for arts and creative contributions to the remodelling and revitalisation of neighbourhoods (www.artscouncil.org.uk/housingmarketrenewal)
The pARTicipate programme is made up of six projects, using a range of art forms (everything from film to dance to public art) to bring residents together and find new ways of looking at everyday things.
The Big Plot, Kirkholt
Following a national competition, artist Irene Rogan was selected to develop interim proposals for a cleared site opposite the Strand shopping area in Kirkholt, Rochdale. The aim was to utilise the temporary space as a creative canvas for the community and pilot a new approach to interim sites.
Irene invited the community to ‘stake their claim’ and through a process of creative consultation and engagement developed a proposal for the site based on a two pronged approach – a programme of landscaping works (improving the appearance and functionality of the space) supported by a programme of temporary arts projects and community events.
There has already been some work on the site, with a wildflower meadow and border planting delivered by local training organisation Jericho in Spring 2010. Further site improvements are coming soon - at which point the creative programme will begin with a celebratory event Big Bright Night in 2011
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