In Swale, Art at the Centre was embraced as an opportunity:

• To recognise and capture the existing qualities and identity of the area
• To establish a venue for arts events
• To increase the number of people involved in arts activities
• To engage the community within the development process
• To tell a good news story about Queenborough and Rushenden

The focus therefore has very much been on identity and engagement - a vision brought to life by coordinator Nicole Mollett through a series of projects that have both celebrated the area’s heritage - and roused local enthusiasm. A number of these events have achieved a substantial profile. For example, work was conducted in association with the visit of the Time Team television series whilst Superconductor – a maze structure built on the development site by artists Gaia Alessi and Richard Bradbury – attracted national press coverage. Other events, such as ‘Invasion’ - which addressed Sheppey’s relationship with the Netherlands through a series of commissions – celebrated passages of history particular to the area.          

Much of this work has been delivered through the Castle Gallery, established by Art at the Centre as the only cultural venue on the island. Recently, the ‘Design a Landmark’ project – an open competition that invited participants to design a new piece of public art for Swale – made particularly interesting use of the gallery space and allowed the local community to view and vote for their favourite design.

Art at the Centre has also afforded greater coherence and a more discernable presence to the local arts community in Swale. Practitioners have been offered a more coordinated support network through the newly formed Swale arts forum and Swale artist’s group and a number of artists’ workshops and field trips have been held in conjunction with the scheme.