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Big Art in Burnley

UK arts stars sign up for Big Art in Burnley

Stars of the UK arts scene, Greyworld, have been selected to develop new art works for Burnley as part of Channel 4's Big Art Project.

Greyworld, an art collective led by founder Andrew Shoben, is best known for 'The Source' created for the new London Stock Exchange and has just unveiled a new installation next to London's Tate Modern Gallery..

Channel 4's Big Art Project in Burnley is led by a group of 15 young people from across Burnley and three key neighbourhoods, where a programme of much needed housing renewal is underway. The project is jointly supported by nominator Chris May of Creative Partnerships, East Lancashire and Burnley Borough Council, working with a steering group of community arts and regeneration focused organisations.

The group is working with curator Kerenza Hines and Youth Engagement Officer Paul Hartley. The young people have chosen Greyworld to work with them as they develop ideas for a major new art work for Burnley.

A total of £500,000 will fund the project, delivering new works and a comprehensive engagement programme to ensure the full involvement of the Burnley community. The progress of the public art commission is being filmed for Channel 4's Big Art Project. The series will be broadcast in 2008.

Kerenza Hines, curator, said: "We are all delighted to be working with such innovative and creative organisations. Greyworld is one of the country's most respected and talented arts companies. We're confident they will bring to Burnley new work to delight and inspire the whole community and generations to come."

Andrew Shoben of Greyworld said: "We love to explore hidden corners of towns and cities, playing with these grey spaces to bring a little wonder and magic to them. This is a great opportunity to create a work that uses the whole town as its canvas. We are also lucky to have a young client team, who give us a fresh and candid view of real life in their town. They don't come with any preconceptions about what public art should be, which is great for us. Above all they don't hold back or mince their words, instead they respond honestly to our ideas. This direct approach to our work is refreshing and we're looking forward to creating an experience in the town that is truly magical."

Michael Eakin, Executive Director of Arts Council England, North West, said: "We're delighted to be building on our longstanding relationship with Channel 4 with the Big Art Project, and that this scheme is now poised to move forward in Burnley. The project will create a major new art work for the town in partnership with Greyworld. We believe the arts are a crucial part of any healthy, vibrant community, and this project illustrates this perfectly."

Channel 4's Big Art Project is a major public art commissioning initiative. The Big Art Project opened in 2005 with a call for the public to nominate sites they felt would benefit from an art installation. Channel 4 received over 1400 nominations from which seven sites were selected across the UK, including Burnley. The progress of the project is being filmed for a major TV series to be broadcast in 2008. It will offer a candid account of the successes and pitfalls on the journey towards achieving new public art works.

Burnley's young people have also created their own community website. More information from www.bigartpro.co.uk and www.greyworld.org More information at www.channel4.com/bigart. or contact Carmel O'Toole 07838 368813 cotoole@channel4.co.uk