Leeds-based arts organisation East Street Arts has won a contract worth £50,000 to design and deliver a new community mural in Kirkstall.
As reported by The Dispatch in August, artist Rebecca Appleby will pay will pay homage to the local heritage and industrial landscape in the new art in the grounds of the leisure centre on Kirkstall Lane.
A council report has now revealed that East Street Arts will be paid up to £50,000 to deliver the community artwork.
The report states that East Street Arts have a track record of delivering high-quality art installations for the council.
An earlier contract had been awarded to The Tetley to draw up an artist brief, but none of the artists delivered an acceptable proposal to a judging panel.
The project will be part of East Street Arts’ ‘A City Less Grey’ project and Leeds City Council’s Town and District Centre Scheme, which has seen money allocated to improve town centres across Leeds.
The piece follows the ‘Hare of Harehills’, which was commissioned by East Street Arts with funding from Leeds City Council, as part of the Neighbourhood Improvement Scheme. It was created by artist, Ian Kirkpatrick, alongside extensive engagement activity with schools in the Harehills area.
In August, Elaine Barrow, learning manager at East Street Arts, said:
“As a Leeds-born person who has had various links with the Kirkstall area over the years, it is great to spend some time here consulting with the local community and I am keen to engage with as many people as possible for the duration of the project and leading up to the launch event next year.”
East Street Arts is a not-for-profit organisation.
For more information, or to share your views on the public art piece, contact elaine@esamail.org.uk.