Here + Now is a programme of temporary artworks commissioned for Preston’s city centre to take place between 2006 and 2009, during the planning and early construction phase of the Tithebarn development. The programme was launched in June 2006.

Martin Hamblen  Heuristic 1/07/09-26/08/09

Teresa and Dominique Hodgson-Holt 'Red' 1/07/09-26/08/09

Leo Fitzmaurice Archigram 1/07/09-26/08/09

Becky Shaw, Local Colour 31/07/08-30/11/08

MAP 1/02/08-ongoing

Chris Davis, The Family 1/02/08-15/02/08

Chantal Oakes, Thoughts That Make Actions in the World 1/02/08-15/02/08

Blast Theory, Can You See Me Now? 23/07/07-28/07/07

John Newling, Preston Market Mystery Project 11/06-06/07

Pam Holmes, Beside the Seaside... 5/07/06-18/07/06

Patricia Walsh, Remote Viewing 8/06/06-22/06/06

Jeppe Hein, Appearing Rooms 8/06/06-19/07/06

Each artist has approached the commission in a unique way and, throughout the programme, emphasis has been placed on showcasing a range of practice in order to make the case for the increased commissioning of these forms of work in the public realm.

Here + Now is an action research project which challenges the traditional role of public art and explores the ways that artists can work in and impact on the public realm. At the heart of the programme is a belief that artists often respond in the most interesting ways when offered a non-prescriptive brief and opportunities synergic to their developing practice.

Here + Now has adopted a commissioning methodology which allows artists greater freedom than traditional public commissioning templates, giving them the time to engage with the specifics of site and place, audience, history and topography without the pressure of developing a proposal for submission. Instead, the In Certain Places curators work closely with the artists to assist the development of their ideas in response to their research and experiences of Preston. This approach has led to the realisation of commissions which would be difficult to achieve elsewhere; projects which have a strong relationship to their site and audience, and which are a valuable development of the artist’s practice.

Through these activities, Here + Now has begun to develop a body of work which demonstrates adiverse range of practice and approaches to working in the public realm, whilst initiating debate in the city about its public spaces; how they are and could be used and what Preston’s imminent redevelopment may mean for the users of such spaces.

The programme has brought high profile and internationally significant artworks to Preston, creating new audiences for contemporary art and equipping members of the local community with a vocabulary with which to articulate their views about how art can be incorporated into Preston’s regeneration.

The main aims of the project are:

-To challenge the traditional role of public art and to develop new commissioning procedures.

-To provide artists with the opportunity to realise new projects and to support the development of their practice.

-To raise the level of debate surrounding art in public places within the city and specifically in the context of the Tithebarn development.

-To bring the best of national and international contemporary art practice to a wide range of audiences in the city and wider regions and to develop new audiences in the area.

Here + Now is evaluated through The Family, a unique, creative-led project developed by artist Chris Davis and in partnership with the Moores family from Preston's Brookfield estate.

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We welcome any comments or thoughts on any of the projects - please email