Here + Now is an action research project which challenges the traditional role of public art and explores different ways that artists can work within the city. 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 a diverse range of practice and approaches to working in the city, whilst initiating debate about its public spaces; how they are and could be used and what Preston’s future redevelopment may mean for the users of such spaces.

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 city:

Previous artworks:

Magda Stawarska-Beavan The Arcade 23/04/10-6/05/10

Susan Walsh To Scatter 23/04/10-6/05/10

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

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