21st February 2018: ‘Watra’ by Polish artist, Karolina Lebek, is the latest exhibition in a high-profile arts project supported by Luton Business Improvement District (BID).
In line with its objective to strengthen the town centre’s visitor experience, the BID has been contributing £10,000 a year to Luton Culture’s contemporary public realm arts project, ‘As You Change, So Do I’ – a three-year venture, which began in 2016 with significant funding from Arts Council England.
This latest exhibition is a musical, performative and visual experience which explores Lemko heritage through traditional song, and will take place in a previously empty commercial space at Storefront, 64 Bute St, Luton LU1 2EY from Thursday 22th February – Sunday 25th March.
Martin Blower, Luton BID Director and Business Development Manager at A-Plan Insurance said: “We are thrilled about the new exhibition and being able to continue our support of Luton Culture’s project. The town centre’s arts and cultural offer is transforming thanks to our contribution – our town centre streets have become more vibrant and the increased arts and cultural activity has definitely had a positive impact on changing perception and driving more visitors to the area.
“Boosting our arts and cultural offer has always been an important objective for the BID in line with our continued work to create a more appealing town centre experience for visitors and workers in Luton town centre to enjoy. We are looking forward to supporting Luton Culture in its work to develop this project in 2018.”
Other impressive pieces of artwork in the project include the ‘Beacon’ by artist Mark Titchner, a major eye-catching graphic on The Hat Factory Arts Centre to greet commuters from Luton’s railway station. There is also an enhanced cultural offer of free public events, performances, projections, screenings and talks.
The project’s success has received national recognition, and was recently featured in the ‘Improving Places’ report by The Arts Council, the Mayor of London and King’s College London, which examined how BIDs and cultural organisations can drive economic growth and thriving communities by working together.
Marie Kirbyshaw, BID director and Luton Culture chief executive said: “Luton BID’s funding has enabled us to widen the impact of Arts Council England’s £375,000 investment in the project, and has specifically enabled us to commission more stimulating and engaging public art across the Hat District. Luton Culture Trust has also benefitted from the BID connecting arts with town centre businesses, and in turn we are pioneering how great art can promote Luton and boost the local economy.”
For more information on Luton BID and its various events and initiatives throughout the town centre, please visit the BID website www.lutonbid.org or contact a member of the BID team by calling 01582 510657 or emailing info@lutonbid.org.