Locals invited to help choose Barnstaple’s new public artwork

A North Devon Council-led initiative is giving local people the chance to have their say on the public art they would like to see in Barnstaple town centre.

Flourishing Barnstaple, a project led by the council and supported by Arts Council England's Cultural Development Fund, aims to revitalise the town by supporting, developing, and promoting cultural activity. 

As part of this mission, public art will be introduced to the town centre.

Following an open call for expressions of interest, which received more than 60 responses, 11 artists have been selected to develop their ideas through a tender process.

Their proposals will be on display from Wednesday, 12 February, at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, Barnstaple Pannier Market, Green Lanes Shopping Centre, and online.

Barnstaple residents and workers aged 12 or over can vote for their favourites by filling out a form at the display locations or online. 

The results will be published in the first week of March.

The public vote will contribute to the selection process, alongside input from a panel comprising representatives from North Devon Council, Barnstaple Town Council, Barnstaple Town Team for Culture, and the local community.

Cultural Partnership Board representative for North Devon Council, Councillor Mark Haworth-Booth, said: “After an incredible response to our call for expressions of interest, we are delighted to be able to display these exciting proposals. The winning project will take pride of place in the town centre, so we want as many people as possible to take a look at the proposals and have their say, either at the venues across Barnstaple or online.”

Voting opens alongside the displays on Wednesday, 12 February, and closes at midnight on Wednesday, 19 February.

Voting can be cast here: https://www.barnstaple.co.uk/barnstaple-projects/barnstaple-town-centre-public-art-consultation