You should plan out a communications plan for your project from the outset. Keeping the community and key stakeholders updated will support public engagement throughout, build audiences and encourage local ownership of artworks
Interpretation of the work should be included whether in the form of a plaque, leaflet or digital methods such as a webpage, social media or app, to acknowledge the artist, client, funder and provide some detail about the inspiration behind the work to enable people to gain a better understanding.
Barnsley Council maps all existing and new commissions, please see our Public Art page which indicates the kind of information you need to share with the Council on completion of your project, so that they can continue to maintain a clear picture of public art across the borough.
High quality photography of the process, engagement and final outcomes are vital to tell the story and short films (if the budget allows) can be a great way to engage wider audiences. Remember, photographs and video footage are classed as personal data under GDPR, so ensure that the correct procedures and consents are in place. Further guidance on the ICO website.
There is the potential to bring these commissions together to develop geographically focused or theme focused public art trails using simple free tools like googlemaps to help share and amplify the artworks more widely.
Some existing examples of public art in Barnsley Borough are currently logged on the Art UK website and it is recommended that future physical public art commissions are also logged here.
In terms of recording and logging public art projects that are more socially engaged in nature these can be logged as part of the Social Art Library.
