Public art projects scoop £134k funding in Lichfield

Four public art projects planned for a Midland city have scooped funding of £134,000.

St Mary’s Church in the Market Square which has been awarded £44,979 to create a performance space for community groups

The money has been awarded to four Lichfield City art projects by Lichfield District Council in partnership with Swinfen Broun Charitable Trust.

Towards the end of last year officials teamed up to launch the Lichfield City Art Fund.

The fund was set up to re-invest the proceeds of the sale of the statue Donna Che Trattiene il Tempo into new art projects.

Shanti the bird which inspired the idea of a puppet parade

The philanthropist Swinfen Broun had bequeathed the statue, known locally as Old Father Time, to the people of Lichfield.

However, after a permanent home for the statue could not be found, the council auctioned it off in 2008 with the intention to use the money on new art projects.

After considering all the applications received, four applicants have been successful in bidding for a share of the money.

Successful applicants have included Lichfield Cathedral’s project to create a bronze sculpture of St Chad which has been awarded £50,000.

St Mary’s in the Market Square has been awarded £44,979 to create a performance space for community groups.

Peter Walker at work on the bronze statue of St Chad

Erasmus Darwin House will receive £25,050 to create a sculpture based on the work of Erasmus Darwin as well as a project to help the local community create smaller sculptures.

Lichfield Festival’s project to create a Puppet Parade has been awarded £13,752.

Councillor Ian Pritchard, the council’s cabinet member for economic growth, environment and development services, said: “We received a good range of applications to the Lichfield City Art Fund, and I am delighted with the four projects we have chosen to support.

“From community art projects and art spaces to sculptures that celebrate two notable Lichfield figures, there is a great mix of schemes. We are all looking forward to seeing the completed projects that will no doubt have a big impact on the city.”

The council invited the successful applicants to a small reception at District Council House on March 29 to award the funding.

David Smedley, Chairman of Swinfen Broun Charitable Trust, added: “It will be wonderful to see the eclectic art projects that will be helped by the kindness and philanthropy of Colonel Swinfen Broun.”