Barnet Cultural Hero’s Project

Improving Barnet’s high streets is a key priority of the council’s Administration and supporting attractive and sustainable town centres runs throughout the emerging Corporate Plan. In addition, the Administration has requested that officers work with communities and external partners to develop an Arts and Culture Strategy for the borough and we are taking a highly collaborative approach that seeks to demonstrate the value and potential of art and culture throughout the strategy development process. Given the priority focus on these areas, a public art and creative placemaking project brief has been developed. Drawing on the English Heritage Blue Plaque scheme ‘Barnet’s Cultural Heroes’ is a creative placemaking project which will celebrate Barnet’s cultural heritage and historically significant figures who have made a valuable contribution in the field of art, architecture, culture, music, design and industries such as aviation and commerce e.g. Harry Beck designer of the tube map and former resident of Finchley Central, George Michael and Amy Winehouse musicians. The project will involve commissioning a public art agency to research Barnet’s cultural heritage and the outcome of this research will form the basis of an artwork that will be situated in locations across the borough and will be supported by a map that draws together this research, celebrating and amplifying the contribution these individuals have made and showcases their contributions to residents and those visiting the borough.

Department: Street Scene