Hebweb news 2009: "Mytholmroyd Square" to have public art

"Mytholmroyd Square" to have public art its centre - artists invited to come up with ideas

Mytholmroyd to have its own "Fustian Knife" type sculpture

Friday, 27 February 2009

Artists are being invited to work with the community towards plans for a new heart for Mytholmroyd. Calderdale Council is working with Royd Regeneration and St Michael's Church to create a new Town Square for Mytholmroyd.

A piece of public art will form a focal point in the centre of the site, and will be a key part of the transformation. The Council wishes to commission a number of experienced artists or design teams to develop initial concepts for a public art feature. One artist or design team will then be commissioned to produce a fully detailed design, and to oversee the installation of the art work.

The selected artist or team will work in partnership with representatives of Royd Regeneration, Calderdale Council, and St Michael's Church, and will also involve the wider community in the design and development of the work.

Anne Holdsworth, Environmental Projects Officer, Calderdale Council, said: "This is a great chance for artists to get involved in an exciting project. The art work should reflect local peoples' views on what is important to them about the town, and be a point where people will want to gather together.

"It's important that the final artwork is permanent, safe and easy to maintain. Assessment of the overall, sustainability, maintenance and management of the work are very important and the artist should include information with regard to this in any design submission."

The project emerged through Yorkshire Forward's Renaissance Market Towns Programme, and is the result of a long and engaging process of consultation with local people.

Councillor Amanda Byrne, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Development, said: "The new town square will really create a sense of place for Mytholmroyd. It will be used to host events, for markets and fairs and outdoor performances.

"The art work at the centre of the square will essentially be the 'heart' of the town, reflecting a sense of local identity, where people can come together and take pride in their neighbourhood."It will really put Mytholmroyd on the map as an interesting and attractive place to live and work, visit or stay."

View Larger Map

The site of the new Town Square has until recently been a public car park, covering approx 250 sq metres. It is bordered to the north by the river Calder, to the east by St Michael's Church Hall, to the south by terraced housing and to the west by New Road.

Proposals for the new square involve resurfacing the area in high quality natural stone, with car parking confined to the centre of the site. Vehicle use will become less dominant, with pedestrians given higher priority. Pedestrian areas are being created around the edge of the square, and include the creation of a new riverside sitting area and walkway with open views over the river.

Funding for the project has been provided by Yorkshire Forward|, with a contribution from Calderdale Council. Construction of the Square is hoped to be completed before April 2009. Public consultation in August 2008 reflected wide public support for the proposals.

Deadline for expressions of interest in the art project is 20th March 2009. Artists interested in submitting an application should contact Anne Holdsworth, Calderdale Council, Business and Economy Section, Northgate House, Halifax, HX1 1UN. Email: anne.holdsworth@calderdale.gov.uk.