Russell Martin: “What part do artists really play in the regeneration of cities?”
Duncan Smith: “Very little. Artists are not highly regarded and for most politicians we don’t mean much. People in general associate art with making pretty pictures on easels.”
The second event in Artquest‘s System Failure series of conversations aimed at ‘rebooting the art world’ saw artists’ relationship to regeneration put under the spotlight. Chaired by Artquest director Martin and titled ‘The city problem: or, how artists can benefit from urban regeneration’, the conversation was led by Smith (director ACAVA studios and the National Federation of Artist Studio Providers) and Kirsten Dunne (senior cultural strategy officer at the Greater London Authority).
Smith suggested that, while the views of artists are often overlooked, art itself is an act of regeneration. “It has a restorative function in relation to our wellbeing,” he said. “In a radical sense, art gives us the opportunity to think differently. It also has enormous instrumental value and contributes to many other things. It is the core of cultural development, our economy, education and health – it is about place making.”
However, Smith warned that this is still not being recognised, with many artists suffering as a result. He said that London is in a bad way, with the long-term impact of development forcing artists to move elsewhere. “Property prices have gone up and planning laws have made it easier for developers to build new flats. The reality is one third of studios will disappear in the next four years. Artists are going.”
Homes and culture
Dunne responded by saying the city has to deal with rising visitor numbers and demand for new homes. “We need to work out the balance between increasing demands and culture. Planning can be considerate of culture. It is about London’s character and not losing the individuality of particular areas. Having loads of new housing is one thing but how can you reflect the things that people value the most?”
She reiterated recent comments by London’s deputy mayor for education and culture Munira Mirza that the GLA will insist that planners include cultural planning in their schemes. “There are different ways of thinking about artistic practice and how particular skills can be embedded in planning. It is an area of opportunity.”
Martin suggested part of the problem is that we are still operating under an outdated system of studio providers. He said: “I go to many artists studios and they are empty, because the artists are away at jobs, making money to pay for their studio rent. Do we need something that is more like Airbnb instead of outdated models based on tenancy agreements?”
Smith responded by saying: “Some artists still see the studio as an extension of their soul.” Dunne added: “That is an amazing luxury that I wish I had!”
Listen to the full conversation (1’ 17”):
To find out more about the System Failure series, which includes the a-n supported discussion The money problem, see www.artquest.org.uk
More on a-n.co.uk:
The funding problem: “when do arts organisations become fundraising organisations?” – report on the first System Failure conversation
System Failure: conversations aim to reboot the art world
Jeanette Winterson: tax art sales and use money to fund art spaces
Warwick Commission final report: silos must end for arts to thrive
