Art of Destination

Project Information

Date(s)

From 29 March 2012

Watch the documentary of the day

Download the conference case study

Additional Information

Read Project Manager, Lucy Green's, reflections on the day in Art of Destination: Sunshine, Souvenir and Skyping Shanghai.

'There was a great feeling of collective care for the future of art projects. The event opened my eyes to the positive effects art can have on places and communities. It was a great pleasure listening to and enjoying the company of so many passionate people.’

‘It was a fabulous, stimulating and eye-opening event. Only a week later we are reaping the rewards in terms of contacts, new project ideas and inspiration.’

‘The commitment of Mid Pennine Arts staff in making the conference a success was clearly evident. It was a well organised, fantastically well-presented event in a beautiful location. A truly inspirational event.’

‘A great day in a great place with some great people talking about some great projects – thanks!’

‘This was an excellently run conference, full of quality and ambition, and I loved it!’

Visual Minutes of the day - image by Huckleberry Films

Art of Destination was a one day conference held at Brockholes Visitor Village, Preston on 29th March 2012. Working in partnership with Lancashire County Council, the event was designed to stimulate and inspire delegates with a range of exciting creative projects that take derelict or unloved space and transform it into somewhere special – community assets, new kinds of visitor attraction, destination art.

The event showcased the REMADE partnership in Lancashire, highlighting the key success of the Padiham Greenway programme alongside and in the context of a selection of high profile, inspiring case studies from the region, the UK and beyond.

Speakers included:

A new view of a special place: Hayley Skipper, Grizedale Forest

Transforming dead space: The Lancashire Wildlife Trust at Brockholes

The joy of temporary: Steve Messam, international artist

Connecting people with place: Helen Yates, Mid Pennine Arts

Creating new kinds of destination: Laurie Peake, Liverpool Biennial

Director of In Certain Places Charles Quick, architect collective Assemble, artist Marco Dessardo and Rob Howell from Somewhereto_ also made presentations.

The event was introduced by Kevin Ellard, County Councillor for Preston East, Chair of Lancashire County Council-led Arts Development Funding Task Group and Nick Hunt, MPA Creative Director introduced the speakers.

Who was this event for?

The day was aimed at arts specialists and enthusiasts, professionals in environment, regeneration and public realm, education and public policy. We showcased our region’s work alongside guest projects both national and international. The venue for the conference was the wonderful new floating village at Brockholes, itself a prime example of such a transformation.

Highlights of the day were captured by Huckleberry Films for us in this fantastic documentary.

This conference is organised by Mid Pennine Arts in partnership with Lancashire County Council, with support from Arts Council England.