First Base and RPMI Railpen are calling for local Cambridge artists to tender a range of opportunities to create public art which celebrates local character and creativity of their Devonshire Gardens scheme.

The new mixed-use scheme includes homes, workspace, and community amenities, including a park featuring new trees, ornamental and edible plants, and wildlife support. Locally sourced and inspired public art will help to showcase the new spaces in the development.

A local public art programme will also respond to consultation feedback, requesting that new spaces for public art are both created and exhibited. Such art can take numerous forms, including murals, sculptures and even lighting and wayfinding. Other arts are also accepted, including digital, theatre, art, dance, and music.

The arts scheme will incorporate three aspects to ensure impact and community engagement; a large focal point at a central location in the park, a series of site-wide installations and finally the appointment of a local artist in residence, to work with local groups and raise awareness of public art. The first two elements will be commissioned by First Base.

Douglas Higgins, Project Director, First Base, said “Devonshire Gardens is situated within a very creative corner of Cambridge, so we’re lucky to have a pool of creative talent on our doorstep! We will be looking to showcase this diverse and independent local spirit. A locally-led public art programme will enable us to embrace the site’s heritage and sense of place through inspirational design and I look forward to working with local artists to bring their creative visions to life within Devonshire Gardens.”

Jane Rich, Founder and CEO, Cambridge Community Arts, said “I’m delighted to see First Base and Railpen’s commitment to public art, which is something we’ve been strongly advocating for throughout our engagement with the development proposals. We support these plans, and we are glad we’ve been listened to! Set in an incredibly creative community, Devonshire Gardens has the ability to showcase local talent and creativity, providing physical space for art to be created and exhibited, as well as incredibly well-designed social spaces for local art to be embraced and appreciated by the community.”

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