Co-Sponsor comments:

Andrew Blevins, Managing Director - Liberty Property Trust UK (formerly Rouse Kent)

Liberty Property Trust UK, developer of Kings Hill, Kent is creating a sustainable, environmentally sensitive, mixed use community for the 21st century. 

Kings Hill is masterplanned to provide low density business space, high quality residential villages, retail, sports and leisure together with pre-school, primary and higher education facilities. The provision of social/soft infrastructure is an important element of the Kings Hill masterplan and a developing arts strategy has been actively pursued. The public art commissioned for Kings Hill contributes to the sense of place.

“As part of our developing arts strategy, we have found public art a vital building block in creating a strong sense of place and community at Kings Hill. By using public art as part of a highly acclaimed environment, we aim to encourage employees at Kings Hill to feel a sense of pride about their workplace, which in turn contributes to staff retention”, says Andrew Blevins, Managing Director of Liberty Property Trust UK. “

Sally Staples, Head of Arts Development Unit - Kent County Council

The arts development unit provides strategic leadership and co-ordination for the development of the arts in Kent, to ensure that the arts are realizing their full potential for community engagement and empowerment, distinctive place-making and as contributors to the wider economy.

The County Council recognises that sensitive, well-planned public art development can play an important role in enhancing the urban, suburban and rural environment of Kent. Public art can give a sense of identity, inject a feeling of local pride, transform empty spaces, help to increase tourism by improving environments for visitors and have a positive effect on economic regeneration by stimulating activity in town centres and beyond.

“Kent County Council values this award as an opportunity to highlight the good practice that is developing in the county in relation to commissioning public art. The award is an opportunity for the commercial sector, the public sector and the arts sector to come together to celebrate joint aspirations.” Mike Hill, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Communities