Working With an Art Programme

The artistic vision of a project can be summarised briefly or extensively. Whatever the case, it is advisable to formulate the ideas into an art programme. A good art programme can create a solid framework for the art project, strengthen its place in a planning or building process and help develop the promoter’s original idea. This regardless of whether the art project was initiated by a public body or by an artist, curator, citizen, public servant or a politician.

The crucial aspect of the quality of an art programme – and consequently of the future art project – is that it is developed by a curator, an artist or by an art professional. If such a person is not available in one’s organisation, a reference group including members with artistic expertise may provide support.

An Art Programme

The art programme defines the framework for the art project. It is a written supporting document that will guide the entire project. It contains all the facts that have to be taken into consideration, and it describes the vision for the commission.

A good art programme functions as a solid support for the creative process, in which the artists, adhering to the framework of the programme, can freely develop the art project in terms of content, expression, media, technique, materials, choice of sites and formats. The art programme can be formulated as a letter of intent by the project’s parties who are represented in the advisory group. Then the art programme can be used as the foundation for developing other texts, such as advertisements for the open call, sketch invitations and a competition programme. The art programme can also be used as the foundation or guide for the artist or artists involved in the project. Thus, the art programme may be regarded as a living document.

Analysis of the Conditions of Art

The development of the art programme begins with a comprehensive analysis of the conditions of the artistic intervention, carried out by the art project manager/curator, in consultation with the project’s advisory group. What is the nature of the site or the building? Who lives there? Who will spend time there? Has history left any traces in people’s memories, in the buildings and the landscape? What is the project’s budget? What is the timetable? Which restrictions apply? Which experts does the advisory group comprise? And so on. The analysis may reveal that the conditions are not sufficient for motivating an artistic intervention, although it does not happen often. Most of the time, the conditions are good for proceeding with the work.

The Overall Artistic Vision

If the outcome of the analysis is that the conditions for initiating an artistic intervention are satisfactory, the art project manager/curator, on the basis of the analysis, will propose how to proceed, and enumerate the most important aspects to consider on the site, at the time and based on the conditions. This is a critical phase in which artistic and curatorial expertise is crucial for a high-quality execution of the project. Artists and curators are resources specially trained in thinking critically and open-mindedly, which are important qualities when it comes to addressing explicit or tacit needs, and identifying further possibilities for the project.

Artistic Formats and Types of Procurement

The art programme’s overall vision may include one or more possible themes for the artistic intervention, identified by the art project manager/curator in consultation with the advisory group. The art programme can also propose sites for the artistic intervention, or ask the artist to propose themes and sites for their artwork. The art programme also suggests guidance for the types of artistic formats that may be relevant for the project: a permanent artwork, a temporary artistic intervention, or both. The art programme may also discuss possible ways of procuring artists as well as which types of artistic practices may be relevant for the project.