Meet the community: arts officer

Paula Armstrong is the arts officer at Wellingborough Borough Council. Paula herself is a trained ceramicist, who has held her own exhibitions, including with other local artists. Part of Paula's job is to encourage artistic activity around Wellingborough. 

She does this in a number of ways, which include:

• attending important council meetings to represent the arts
  
• supporting and encouraging artists and creative businesses in the area
  
• offering funding advice to artists
  
• organising public arts activities, like the annual Smart festival and Lantern Parade
  
• producing a dedicated arts magazine, Art at the Heart, (you can download copies) with interviews, advice and listings for creative people
  
• contributing expertise to wider arts organisations, such as Open Studios and Creative Northants

Paula's job gives her some flexibility to decide the direction of arts in the area and she has been responsible for writing and consulting on an arts strategy plan, as well as bringing together an arts advisory board. 

(In between all this, Paula is also studying for an MBA and has a dog the size of a small pony, who needs frequent walks!).

Art which engages the public is a particular passion of Paula's. She says,

"The artist-in-residence project is important, as part of the work being undertaken by a partnership of community organisations and public agencies who have the common aim of improving the Hemmingwell shops' area.  The residency aims to improve the ‘feel’ of the area by adding colour and texture, changing the perception of visitors to something more positive. The project will give the community the opportunity to consider the space, what it’s used for and what they would like to see there in terms of artwork, as well as the chance to contribute to the artwork, leaving their mark on the space long after the project is completed."

"This is a community art project and community engagement is vital. We want to encourage ownership of the artwork and the respect that gives. We are also looking for a spectacular piece of artwork. The challenge for the artist is in balancing these aims," concludes Paula.

For more info on the role of local government arts officers, you can check out the Improvement and Development Agency.