Art at the Centre

Creating an Artist Quarter in the Heart of Maidstone

Art at the Centre was an Arts Council England, South East initiative, which sought to embed creativity within regeneration practice across the South East region. The scheme aimed to demonstrate that successful regeneration cannot be solely reliant on bricks and mortar. It involved artists at the outset of proposals in design teams, masterplanning and community engagement projects with the aim of achieving more innovative, robust and sustainable outcomes.

Maidstone proposed to investigate the feasibility of an ‘artists’ quarter’ in an existing part of the town, hoping to offer an “alternative cultural experience and more diverse offer for residents and visitors”, particularly in the context of the negative impact of a major new shopping centre elsewhere in the town.

FrancisKnight were appointed to curate a delivery plan and programme to highlight and promote the cultural and artistic community within the borough of Maidstone.  Its aim was to inspire visitors, businesses and people living and working in the borough to engage with artist led activity.  The programme included a large number and broad range of significant events over the three-year period. Networking events for local cultural companies; temporary seasonal markets selling local arts and crafts; the commissioning of artists to produce one off pieces for quarterly publication including a map designed to help define the demarcated area; and a graphic bill board which presented the faces of cultural community to the local area, were carried out over the three year period.