Peninsula Greenwich residents and local arts groups are being encouraged to work with two newly appointed Directors of Art to enhance the evolving public realm at Greenwich peninsula, one of London’s newest urban riverside developments.

Bridget Sawyers, a qualified Architect and Urban Designer, and Vivienne Reiss, former Head of Visual Arts Learning and Development at Arts Council England, have been selected as co-Directors of Art by a client group of bodies involved in the Peninsula’s regeneration.

The client group is headed up by national regeneration agency, English Partnerships, and includes representatives of Arts Council England, Greenwich Council and the peninsula’s two principle developers, Meridian Delta Ltd (a joint venture between Lend Lease and Quintain Developments Plc) and Greenwich Millennium Village Ltd. It was set up by English Partnerships to ensure that a collaborative, inclusive approach is adopted to the provision of art in the public realm across the peninsula in support of the area’s ongoing transformation into a well-connected, sustainable community.

Philip Dibsdale, Area Director for Greenwich at English Partnerships said:

“This year we’re commemorating the first ten years of regeneration on the Peninsula, so the appointment of the Directors of Art is very well-timed. They will be announcing an artist competition commissioned by English Partnerships to mark this significant milestone. Art in the public realm makes a major contribution to the character and identity of a place and goes hand-in-hand with regeneration”.

“Bridget and Vivienne bring a wealth of experience and talent to this project and their appointment will make a big impact on the creation of a thriving public realm. We want to encourage local residents to play a part in making Greenwich peninsula an attractive, distinctive place to live, work and visit.”

Bridget Sawyers, appointment of art directors for Greenwich Peninsula, said:

“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to incorporate art into the regeneration of a unique place. We hope to develop a meaningful programme, in partnership with both local residents and arts organisations, which provides some delight for the public realm!”

Vivienne Reiss added:

"The art programme will respond to the peninsula - its history, the architecture and the landscape. Artists will collaborate with local people to create art work that will provide insights into the evolving community, and a new way of seeing future developments in this area."

The Directors of Art are tasked with delivering an art programme over the next two years, founded on the original Greenwich Peninsula Public Art Strategy commissioned and published by the client group in 2006. As part of this programme they will be developing a series of activities to include artists’ commissions, school and community arts projects and outdoor events as well as link up with existing Greenwich and London cultural initiatives.

Art in the public realm will be used to help create a sense of place and will contribute to the development of the social and physical identity for Greenwich peninsula. Local people will be encouraged to get involved in the creative process by working alongside professional artists.

The £5 billion regeneration of 190 acres of Greenwich Peninsula led by Lend Lease and Quintain Estates and Development PLC working with English Partnerships, will create a thriving new riverside community for London over the next 15 years.

• 10,000 new homes in distinct residential neighbourhoods
• 24,000 permanent jobs
• Peninsula Central - a new business district for London
• 150 new shops and restaurants
• 1.6 miles of river frontage; the distance between Waterloo and London Bridge
• 48 acres of open spaces and parks; the size of Green Park
• Extensive new community and leisure facilities
• The O2 entertainment destination delivered and operated by AEG Europe
• Excellent transport links, situated in zone 2 on the jubilee line
• Aspiration for the highest environmental standards for new buildings

Lend Lease, listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, is a leading real estate specialist which creates and manages real estates assets around the world. In the UK its business is focussed primarily in the delivery of large scale mixed use schemes which lead to the regeneration of major urban sites.