Public Art in Sheffield

One of Sheffield Visual Arts Group’s aims is to champion the existence and conservation of public art in Sheffield - that is, art in the public realm, whether or not it’s situated on public property or paid for by private or public money.

We are delighted that we have established a collaboration with Wessex Archaeology, facilitated by our links with Joined Up Heritage Sheffield. Together, we have developed a project to list and to monitor the very many known and not so well known pieces of public art all over the city. Through the energy and resources of Natasha Bramall at Wessex Archaeology there is now a plan to train volunteers to discover and map Sheffield’s great public art. We will find out what it means to the communities where it’s situated, whether it’s neglected or celebrated, its origins and subsequent history, perhaps even work out ways to conserve, restore and care for it for the future. And our discoveries will become available online and on paper so Sheffielders and Sheffield’s visitors can locate and find out about these treasures much more easily.

We aim to launch this exciting new project in spring 2022. If you would like to be involved please contact Natasha Bramall at Wessex Archaeology (n.bramall@wessexarch.co.uk) or Denise West at Sheffield Visual Arts Group (denisewest3@btinternet.com), We’re pleased that other groups and organisations have also expressed an interest in the project - e.g. Joined Up Heritage Sheffield, Sheffield Archives, Our Favourite Places, and the University of the Third Age.

This is an important moment for Sheffield’s public treasures to come out of the shadows and be celebrated in all their glory!

Please contact Denise West (denisewest3@btinternet.com) and Natasha Bramall (n.bramall@wessexarch.co.uk) to lend a hand.

The Impact of Coronavirus on Arts and Culture

It is clear a new phase of the coronavirus is upon us, which will require new measures alongside a continued lockdown of the culture and arts venues here in our city - for the next few months at least.

How can community and friends schemes and local support groups like Sheffield Visual Arts Group help in the next responses to the virus?

1. SUPPORT THEM FINANCIALLY IN WHATEVER WAY YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES ALLOW.

2. IF YOU HAVE BOUGHT TICKETS FOR AN EVENT, DON’T ASK FOR A REFUND, DONATE

THE PRICE.

3. IF YOU NORMALLY SPEND ON THE ARTS, LOOK AT BUYING GIFT VOUCHERS TO USE

AFTERWARDS, OR A CD, ART WORKS, BOOKS AND CRAFTS ONLINE.

4. JOIN MAILING LISTS, ENCOURAGE SMALL BUSINESSES TO MAKE CONTACT WITH YOU

WHEN THEY RE- OPEN. SENDING AN EMAIL TO YOUR FAVOURITE ARTISTS AND VENUES

OF YOUR SUPPORT WILL ENCOURAGE THEM WHEN THEY RETURN TO WORK.

5. TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO GET INVOLVED.

These small gestures all help art and cultural organisations get back on their feet and be around for years to come. After months of social isolation the power of the arts to bring people together
will be needed more than ever. Just remember use it or lose it.

What are we up to ?

We aim to promote and celebrate Sheffield's outstanding visual arts, and improve access to them. Also to contribute to local policymaking.

These are the specific issues we are currently working on: