UP Projects were commissioned in 2023 by Ebbsfleet Development Corporation to create a new public art strategy for Ebbsfleet, a 21st Century Garden City currently under development across 2,500 acres of brownfield land on the Kent Thames riverside.
Ebbsfleet is the first Garden City to be created in 100 years and our strategy takes inspiration from the roots of the Garden City movement and the vision that Ebenezer Howard first set out in the 1890’s. The historical Garden City movement believed deeply in the role arts and culture could play in improving people’s lives with a theatre being the first public building to be created in Welwyn Garden City. Therefore, the title of our strategy, Looking Forward To-Morrow is both a homage to Ebenezer Howard’s seminal publications To-Morrow: A Peaceful Path to Real Reform and Garden Cities of To-Morrow and also a declaration to commit to remaining radical, thinking progressively and centring the needs of communities in our approach to public art commissioning.
Looking Forward To-Morrow outlines Ebbsfleet Development Corporation’s vision and priorities for public art commissioning across Ebbsfleet. It includes a vision statement, a set of public art principles and a series of themes to inspire those involved in commissioning or creating new artworks here. In addition, the strategy outlines the opportunities for commissioning as well as support structures and best practice recommendations to help commissioners and creatives deliver on the vision.
Looking Forward To-Morrow aims to challenge preconceived ideas around what public art may be, to encourage innovation and allow ambitious and progressive projects to flourish in Ebbsfleet. The strategy includes a series of case study projects that demonstrate best practice and underpin the vision for public art as outlined in the vision and principles.
The strategy was informed through conversations and engagement with key cultural organisations and relevant colleagues from within Ebbsfleet Development Corporation - across the design, landscape, planning and placemaking teams - as well as the local authorities and other valued partners such as Creative Estuary and development partners working to deliver new neighbourhoods in the area. UP Projects also consulted with 11 young people from Ebbsfleet Design Group, a group convened by artist, Harun Morrison and coordinated by local arts organisation, Cement Fields and with local residents via the online engagement platform, Commonplace.
You can read the full strategy below.
