Sefton Arts Development (Arts & Cultural Services)	PROJECTS
Netherton Arts Centre Glovers Lane Netherton Merseyside L30 3TL
		Tel: 0151 525 0417 Fax: 0151 524 0216

HOME WORKSHOPS PROJECTS COMPETITIONS EXHIBITIONS PARTNERSHIPS WRITING CONTACTS	Gallery-based Projects Sefton Arts Development has recently complemented its exhibitions programme at The Atkinson Art Gallery in Southport and the Southport Arts Centre Gallery with a series of educational activities aimed at widening gallery access and promoting an interest in contemporary art. Pupils from local schools, as well as the wider public, have participated in a range of projects from talks and discussion groups, artist in residency schemes, critical writing assignments and site-specific installation work. All projects are designed to involve the public in the creation of new art within a gallery setting through collaborative work with practising contemporary artists. Other activities have successfully centred on exploring the variety and depth of the Atkinson Gallery’s permanent collection. All projects are directly aimed at relating to exhibitions within the current programme, project work itself often developing into new exhibition material. To date over 1500 pupils from local schools have worked in the gallery, most of whom have been first time visitors. These activities have been made possible by the support of The Arts Council England – North West. Public Art Through its relationship with organisations such as The Groundwork Trust, Southport and Formby PCT and Atlantic Gateway, Arts Development is increasingly active in the field of public art. Major re-developments throughout Sefton have called on the expertise of Arts Development for the commissioning and management of artists charged with the creation of new work within the public realm as a part of extensive regeneration programmes. Sculptures in wood, steel and aluminium, as well as innovative lighting installations in Southport’s new Aquapark, have added greatly to the quality of the built environment in recent years. Arts Development now has an impressive history of establishing commissioning processes which address the needs of a wide range of partners.