Council moving on Percent for Art projects

Westmeath County Council will be delivering on public art projects as the local authority aims to capitalise on the burgeoning development in the county.

Last February a revival of the Percent for Art scheme and the development of a new five-year arts plan were flagged as ways to shape the cultural direction of Westmeath over the coming years.

The recently appointed arts officer, Nicola Gilcreest, identified the Percent for Art scheme as a driver for the draft Arts Plan for 2026-2030 to be brought before members by September of this year.

The reactivation of the long-dormant public art advisory structure would unlock funding under the national Percent for Art scheme.

In July of last year, Cllr Mick Dollard proposed reviving the scheme, while at the May meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad he called for the scheme to be utilised to enhance the Lakepoint roundabout in Mullingar.

Last week he said a committee should be established to identify projects: “I'm mindful of the fact that there has been a number of projects that would have qualified under the 1% for art, but nothing has actually happened. It's been a number of years, in fact, since we've had a Percent for Art project, certainly in North Westmeath,” he said at the May meeting of Westmeath County Council.

Cllr Dollard pointed to the recent Saunders Bridge project: “I'd like to physically see a bit of action in that particular area.”

He said there have been a number of very successful installations as a result of the scheme in the past, singling out the Joe Dolan statue in Mullingar town centre: “That came about from the social housing scheme in Dalton Park along with the associated resource centre and crèche.

“I think it's important that we, as a local government, grasp this particular nettle, and establish a committee, and bring forward the projects to the elected members,” he said.

He said a variety of murals, statues, and memorials instigated by the scheme have enhanced the county. Director of Services for Westmeath County Council, Jean Ryan, said the local authority will target the potential of the Percent for Art: “This is a priority project for the arts office, I know the arts officer is working away on the audit of the resources that will be available under the Percent for Art scheme. It will be substantial, so that will be brought forward at the next SPC (Strategic Policy Committee).

Ms Ryan said her colleague, Ms Gilcreest, identified a recent capital project: “There is one project she is working on with the Active Travel Team, that's to do with Saunders Bridge. It has to be drawn down within a specific time frame so details of that proposal will also be discussed at that meeting.”