Briefing Note for councillors: VJ Report – 15th August 2020
Issued to: Town Improvements Meeting
Purpose of Report – Due to the cancellation of the VE Day events both locally and Nationally, consideration being made towards VJ Day.
Background
In these difficult times we are all facing it is important to still remain positive and be creative in our approach to future events. With the cancellation of VE Day and associated parade we are looking ahead to August and an opportunity to mark the anniversary of VJ Day. In light of no body knowing what social distancing measures will be in place – this has been considered as part of the proposal with the window providing the gallery space that would make social distancing easier.
Ideas subject to initial review
Working closely with the businesses in Burnham on Sea & Highbridge, local artists and community art projects, promote the idea of utilising the shop windows as an art gallery with shops being linked with artists. The piece of art will be displayed in the window for a period of time (would suggest August 2020) including 15th August with the theme of “Celebration”.
This theme will be to celebrate the end of WWII 75 years ago and also to celebrate the efforts which have been made during the coronavirus outbreak. The art work could be in any medium but would need to be in agreement with the business premises where it would be displayed.
Key Partners (but not limited to):
Burnham Art Group
Create You
Photography Group
Local Schools/youth group/nursing homes
Spray Jam
Somerset Art Works
SEED
This project would enable footfall into both towns supporting local traders, increase the local creative industry by encouraging school communities/nursing homes/existing art projects to produce and display work and improve the link between the business community and community groups.
During the process highlight the Love Burnham branding that is being developed by the Chamber of Trade.
By linking with SEED and Somerset Art Works we can use this to market the towns and create a new audience. There has been interest in utilising this idea further afield across Sedgemoor as part of a £1.1million grant to SEED.
Create a map incorporating the shop gallery and spray jam existing art installations.
Marketing through:
Town Council website
Local Reach
Visit Somerset
Burnham-on-Sea.com and local press
Social Media
Time Line:
18th May Decision
19th May Contact local business and creative industry to confirm project
Identify artists and business gallery windows
Press release
1st July Produce map and arrange printing
29th July installations
August Open gallery with associated press release
Financial implications
£ 300.00 16,000 Bi fold printed maps (www.bizay.co.uk) (Events budget)
Policy implications
3.1 Support and benefit local business
3.3 Support the promotion of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge
3.4 Actively support and encourage local tourism e.g. Tourist Information office, Project Coach, etc
4.1 Promote healthy living by supporting community-based activities and initiatives
Options:
Apply for external funding to purchase materials to enable more people to get involved where finance is a barrier.
Up to
220 businesses and
220 residents
could be directly involved in this project in addition to the visitors monitored on the footfall monitors.
Report author: Jacqui Strong – Project Officer
Report Date: Monday, 11 May 2020
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