survey questionnaire summary_05jul12

7/31/2019 Survey Questionnaire Summary_05Jul12

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ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITY, GARTHDEE

PUBLIC ART & THE RIVERSIDE CAMPUS

PUBLIC ART STRATEGY

ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE FEEDBACK- DRAFT

Prepared by Ian Banks

Director of Atoll Ltd & RGU Public Art Consultant5th July 2012


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The Scottish Government's International Design Summit on 29/30 May 2012 launched a consultation on their 'Policy on

Architecture and Place for Scotland'. In this, and exploring the notion of 'Culture, Economy and Place', Chief Executive ofCreative Scotland Andrew Dixon spoke about the importance of cultural initiatives engaging locals, animating the city, andputting right 100 years of underinvestment to "bring people back to the river".

Creative Scotland believe that Scotland hasnt celebrated its cultural strengths and sense of pride enough. So, considering thisstrategic viewpoint, a new Public Arts Strategy for RGU, once agreed and adopted, hopes to look and focus both on the'internal' riverside campus at Garthdee as well as it's 'external' relationships. A separate RGU Cultural Engagement

Strategy is currently also under consideration, and this will be informed by any newly adopted Public Art Strategy.

In short, this new public art strategy aspires to bring people back to the river.

RGU Public Art & the Riverside Campus:Introduction


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In the short term phase, practical outputs might include applied artwork and 'artistic technology' in or around the main entrance

to the new Garthdee Campus buildings - including the new Library Learning Tower; Beyond this (and of course subject toagreed priority, and sustainable business & fundraising plans over the longer term) RGU hopes to to then consider a widerseries of creative art, design and technology projects, ranging from those dealing specifically with the architectural andlandscape environment; to others aimed at creating collaboration between disciplines; or engagement with localcommunities and partners. It is envisaged that some of these cultural 'outputs' will be permanent, whilst others will be of atemporary, durational, or performative nature.

As such, the following 6 questions were set and issued via a SurveyMonkey Questionnaire on 22nd June 2012. It was sentto 54 largely internal RGU stakeholders, and 27 online responses (54%) were initiated by the 29th June. The followingpages record the general questions asked and the consensus reached so far (where one exists). The intention hereafterwill be to engage more widely following production of a final strategy.

RGU Public Art & the Riverside Campus:Survey Monkey Questionnaire


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Q1. Do you recognise the strategicimportance of developing a

sustainable public art andcultural strategy for Robert

Gordon University?

Q1. Introduction:Response Summary

NOTE: This question tried to establish afundamental point is public art important toRGU, and if so, is it just the campus it should

apply to or a wider city.The results werereassuringly positive.


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0 out of 27 (0%) felt that a public art strategy should link to just the RGU Garthdee campus, or thought it a bad ideain any way.

23 out of 27 (85.2%) respondents to this question felt that the sustainable public art strategy was both importantand should link itself to the wider city of Aberdeen.

4 out of 27 (14.4%) felt that a sustainable public art strategy was important but with certain provisios (see below)

10 out of 27 (37%) respondents raised the following conditional points and provisos:

Partnerships should be beyond RGU Links to wider city and immediate community should be explored Different approaches made to any campus and city strategy Requirement for engaged and receptive stakeholder community Need for close relationship to Public Art Aberdeen and the 'public art tool kit and which can help inform future policy

(i.e. Cultural Assets Plan) Provide welcome to the campus but also contribute to an economic, social and cultural region Importance to explore RGU's collection and contribute to new city cultural quarter Very welcome in principle, but only be worth doing if properly resourced in terms of management, sustainability and

quality

Opportunity should be taken to add to broader cultural development of university and community Must of course link to RGU strategy and key objectives of the institution

Q1. Introduction:Consensus


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Q2. As applicable, what do you see

your personal art form prioritybeing for any 'public art and

cultural strategy' and it's relative'weighting' of importance? Rate

from this alphabetical list, between0 and 11 loose 'art form types (or

feel free to add your own).

Q2. Art Form Priority:Response Summary

NOTE: This question tried to establish if there was anydeemed preference or priority to artform types. Whatcame out of this, were certain practical weightings

prioritising hard and soft landscaping, permanentsculpture and community engagement etc, but none wereso that highly or lowly rated as to set them apart orexclude them.


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Q2. Art Form Priority:High Priority

Out of 24 respondents, the most important areas are seen as:

1. Hard & Soft Landscaping & Trails - 14 out of 23 (60.9%)2. Community Engagement & Participatory Arts - 13 out of 24 (54.2%)3. Permanent Sculpture & Visual Art - 10 out of 23 (43.5%)4. Architecture, Design & Technology Collaborations - 10 out of 24 (41.7%)5. Temporary Art & Design Installations - 9 out of 23 (39.1%)6. Arts, Health & Well-Being - 9 out of 23 (39.1%)7. Performance & Festival Arts - 8 out of 23 (34.8%)

8. Lighting, Sound or Electronic New Media - 5 out of 22 (22.7%)9. Design, Craft & Graphic Arts - 5 out of 23 (21.7%)10. Video, Film & Literature - 3 out of 22 (13.6%)11. Land or Ecology Arts - 3 out of 23 (13.0%)12. Other 0 out of 2 (0%)


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Q2. Art Form Priority:Medium Priority

Out of 24 respondents, the moderately important areas are seen as:

1. Design, Craft & Graphic Arts - 14 out of 23 (60.9%)2. Arts, Health & Well-Being - 13 out of 23 (56.5%)3. Land or Ecology Arts - 13 out of 23 (56.5%)4. Permanent Sculpture & Visual Art - 12 out of 23 (52.2%)5. Architecture, Design & Technology Collaborations - 12 out of 24 (50.0%)6. Lighting, Sound or Electronic New Media - 11 out of 22 (50.0%)7. Performance & Festival Arts - 11 out of 23 (47.8%)

8. Temporary Art & Design Installations - 10 out of 23 (43.5%)9. Video, Film & Literature - 9 out of 22 (40.9%)10. Community Engagement & Participatory Arts - 7 out of 24 (29.2%)11. Hard & Soft Landscaping & Trails - 5 out of 23 (21.7%)12. Other 0 out of 2 (0%)


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Q2. Art Form Priority:Consensus

Out of 24 respondents, both medium and high important areas are seen as:

1. Permanent Sculpture & Visual Art - 22 out of 23 (95.7%)2. Arts, Health & Well-Being - 22 out of 23 (95.6%)3. Architecture, Design & Technology Collaborations - 22 out of 24 (91.7%)4. Community Engagement & Participatory Arts - 20 out of 24 (83.5%)5. Design, Craft & Graphic Arts - 19 out of 23 (82.6%)6. Hard & Soft Landscaping & Trails - 19 out of 23 (82.6%)7. Performance & Festival Arts - 19 out of 23 (82.6%)8. Temporary Art & Design Installations - 19 out of 23 (82.6%)

9. Lighting, Sound or Electronic New Media - 16 out of 22 (72.7%)10. Land or Ecology Arts - 16 out of 23 (69.5%)11. Video, Film & Literature - 12 out of 22 (54.5%)12. Other 0 out of 2 (0%)


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Q2. Art Form Priority:Consensus

Based on the limited consultation to date there is no real stand-out preference or priority, whether you look at high or

medium priority artform types.

What becomes clear however, is that when you join the two to take a mean average of both high and medium priority, apattern emerges that, whilst illustrating a slight leaning towards certain artforms, does not discount other artforms either.

This seems to suggests a desire for a balanced range of artform, based on the limited consultation to date.

2 out of 24 (8.3%) respondents raised the following conditional points andprovisos:

Public art should make a difference to people's experience of place. Hard/soft landscaping,lighting, sculpture priority with community engagement and participatory arts on a small scale Banffshire Coast Festival shows temporary installations can be a major cultural tourism draw Need to link to RGU strengths and highlight activity RGU are engaged in that is often unnoticed in the community


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Q3. In terms of the potential for these 13theoretical 'artistic outcomes' listed

alphabetically below, please could you

indicate your personal or professionalpreference in terms of their importance in a

short, medium or long term. You may alsoadd your own priorities, plus any other

points in the text box below. There are nominimum or maximum responses required

to this question.

Q3. Artistic Outcomes:Response Summary

NOTE: Though this question confused slightly in terms of whetherrelative importance was to do with desire or urgency, it tried to

establish thinking about the need for a comprehensive long-termapproach, plus the focus of deciding what sort of artistic programmesshould be pursued as a first priority.


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Short to Medium-Term Priority1. Campus Riverside & Ecology - 'Environmental Arts in the Park' 17 out of 21 (80.9%)2. Creative Engagement - Community Arts & Well-Being 15 out of 19 (78.9%)3. School Identity - Artworks Strengthening 'Sense of Identity' 16 out of 21 (76.2%)

4. Outdoor Amenity - Arts, Leisure, Sports & Cultural Programming 14 out of 19 (73.6%)5. Animation, Wayfinding & Interpretation - Campus Signage, Arts Media & Apps 14 out of 22 (63.6%)

Medium to Long-Term Priority

6. Cultural Masterplan - New River Bridge & Trails, Creative Use of Old Buildings etc 16 out of 21 (76.2%)7. Strategic - Links to Wider City, City Garden Project, City of Culture 16 out of 21 (76.2%)8. Artistic Collaboration - Interdisciplinary Creativity 15 out of 20 (75.0%)9. Art & Architecture - Iconic Gateways & Beacons 15 out of 21 (71.5%)

10. City Outreach Pilots - Student Volunteering, Partnering & Skills Development 15 out of 21 (71.4%)11. University Collections - New Public Showcase(s) 14 out of 20 (70.0%)12. Exploratory - 'Experimental' Projects in Public Realm 14 out of 20 (70.0%)13. Indoor Space - 'Learning & Welcome' Cultural Programme 15 out of 22 (68.2%)

Q3. Artistic Outcomes:Consensus


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Q3. Artistic Outcomes:Consensus

There was some confusion expressed from a minority about whether the priority was to do with desire or urgency

3 out of 22 (13.6%) respondents raised the following conditional points andprovisos:

Making the campus functional and inspirational - internally and externally Using art to create beacons/signals of confidence and intent Avoiding "white elephants to RGU and community The "how" or process is as important as the outcome

Engagement with students/colleagues and wider community is key. Public art inspires and challenges and represents RGU Need to continually review the strategy - long term priority now may lose or gain in importance


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Q4. Major Project Priorities:Response Summary

Q4: More specifically, in terms of anypotential live projects of a larger

scale, please tick any that you

feel are particularly important (ornone at all). You may also add

your own priorities, plus any otherpoints in the text box below. There

are no minimum or maximumresponses required to this

question.

NOTE: This question confused slightly in terms of themeaning of priority, but what it set out to test was what sortof actual and practical projects might be developed andagain, what sort of timeframe and big picture these might

fit into.


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Higher Project Priority1st Gallery Space for RGU Collections Exhibition 17 out of 21 (81.0%)2nd River Dee Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge 13 out of 21 (61.9%)3rd Library Learning Tower - Lighting & Media Installation 12 out of 21 (57.1%)

Medium Project Priority4th/eq Learning Cafe & Atrium Commissions 11 out of 21 (52.4%)4th/eq Main Site Entrance & Lobby - Permanent Sculptural Work(s) 11 out of 21 (52.4%)4th/eq Outdoor Cafe & Multi-Function Campus Gallery 11 out of 21 (52.4%)7th/eq Campus Arts Festival Programme(s) 10 out of 21 (47.6%)

7th/eq

Sculpture Park or Trail 10 out of 21 (47.6%)9th/eq Garthdee Campus Pavilion(s) 7 out of 21 (33.3%)

Lower Project Priority10th/eq House for a Visiting Artist - New Residency Space(s) 5 out of 21 (23.8%)10th/eq Lighting & Projections - Teaching & Arts Drum etc 5 out of 21 (23.8%)10th/eq Performance Bowl & Viewing Terrace 5 out of 21 (23.8%)13th Individual School Commissions (Internal and/or External) 3 out of 21 (14.3%)14th Other 1 out of 21 (4.8%)

Q4. Major Project Priorities:Consensus


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Again there was some confusion expressed from a minority about project priority

2 out of 21 (9.5%) respondents raised the following conditional points andprovisos: Suggestions are assessed for impact - what impact will each have - on staff/students/wider community Not just permanent activity but also animation and temporary/changing activity Strong student/alumni engagement given RGU is a university Re performance bowl/ viewing terrace - Cross engagement public spaces for collaboration and participation

opportunities. Examples could be local community engaging with Grays, cross faculty Public art purpose to open up what RGU do with wider public but allow local agendas to inform the context that RGU

approach learning

Q4. Major Project Priorities:Consensus


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Q5. Visioning Availability:Response Summary

Q5: Following this questionnaireand production of a first draft

strategy, RGU intends to host a2-hour visioning session to first

present and then test anddiscuss the developing ideas (ata RGU venue to be agreed). As

such, would you be interested inattending this session? The

following alternative seven dates

have been set aside tentativelyfor this.

NOTE: This question was trying to see if there wasinterest in participating in a visioning session. Theconsensus was that there was, but that timingsover the summer was likely to be an issue.


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For all the dates and times given, the highest numbers of attendees was 6 out of 17 (35.2%) that answered this question

The general consensus was essentially that this was too short a notice and that maybe an August date might be more appropriate.

Q5. Visioning Availability:Consensus


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Q6: As an optional conclusion, please

feel free to summarise your ownpersonal or professional viewpoint

and suggestions here. Please in

not more than 2000 characters,write or cut-and-paste in your ownsupporting thoughts and

observations on the strategy (orthis questionnaire). You may

leave this section blank if you

prefer.

Q6. Personal Statements:Response Summary

NOTE: This totally optional question gavestakeholders a free reign to feedback with anythoughts, ideas or constructive criticism. Theoutcome was some interesting insights, and aclear wish to raise the bar and make RGUGarthdee much more inclusive.


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8 out of 27 (29.6%) respondents raised the following conditional points and provisos (in abridged summary):

Stimulate this debate and achieve best riverside campus in Europe

Pursue practical steps that make this a reality Restore areas of the landscape after the construction work Create environment uplifting for all of stakeholders and users Long term strategy needs to be flexible and should be circulated to all staff and to student reps Fully endorsed approach of PARC to provide RGU with a framework strategy to engage locally and nationally Active walks throughout it's entire length with lots of pleasant vistas including public art Bridge link to Waterside Farm would transform the potential impact for university & the city of any park/ public art space Promotion and establishment of flexible but clearly defined facilities within campus Promotion (by any means) of health and wellbeing message Shared understanding of acceptable risk with threats to core activity minimised, but not conflict with flexibility or creativity High degree of communication and cooperation starting at the earliest stages to avoid problems and meet objectives RGU tends to be very practical and this is fabulous opportunity to engage hearts and minds Create a very special campus as well as provide leadership in a city with too little public art as energy capital of Europe The how needs to be considered as well as the what There's a fabulous opportunity to build community here Results need to combine permanancy and change, challenge and inspiration Need a process and outcomes that create a positive sense community

Signals of RGU's ethos Need to engage all students/alumni - and not just Gray's and Scott's Great opportunity for RGU (primarily Grays) to re-engage with city and have bigger role in shaping it's future and culture Garthdee location is a barrier encouraging disconnect with the cultural institues/venues Lack of participation is reflected in the vibrancy and perception of the city Opportunity to look at creative ways of engaging Grays with city RGU public engagement strategy Development of a public art strategy as best practice to engaging immediate and wider community Examples of Aberdeen University's surrounding community that have a sense of pride in that institute on their door steps.

Artwork represent the different focus within the Faculties

Q6. Personal Statements:Consensus


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A number of immediate recommendations come out of this survey either as direct recommendations, or as creativeinterpretations of the Public Art Consultant. What is clear is a desire and a need for RGU to up its game both artistically

and practically, and for it to use such a public art programme to attempt to bridge with the city much more than before.

Whilst it is easy on the one hand to vision a number of dream scenarios, there are of course a number of considerations, notleast of which is a need to manage expectations and build gradually and sustainably. Where there are potential conflicts,these are mainly regarding practical funding, procuring and managing.

Priority / Strategic / Immediate

1. Align to Creative Scotland and Aberdeen Cultural Aims & Objectives (Including City of Culture / City Gardens etc) viafurther RGU Campus Arts Development Panelplacements and participation on City panels etc

2. Commission an ongoing revisit, review and updating of the Garthdee Masterplan in the light of current build and decantprogramme and cultural/creative economy

3. Review and align public art strategically to Aberdeen Public Art Toolkit and develop protocols and concords withAberdeen City. Also invite Aberdeen City regularly on campus to engage (and not just via Grays)

4. Consider carefully providing a city shop-window presence for RGU and Collection in light of future School Hill sell-off etc.5. Review wider RGU cultural and business ambassadors and champions and initiate targeted engagement6. Engage RGU internally for school capacity for sustainable, creative collaboration programme via public art7. Agree curation and programming of future Library Learning Hub public programme for post April 20138. Formally agree RGU Public Art & Riverside Strategy and priority projects and influence on developing Cultural

Engagement Strategy. The future amenity and ecology of both campus masterplan and the River Dee should feature inthis.

9. Ring fence any agreed Public Art Endowment Levy and establish future fundraising strategy and business plan to enablethis

10. Agree creative and collaborative management system to facilitate nad maintain this external or internal to RGU asdesired

Summing Up:Strategic Blueprint


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Short-Term - Project Priority

Develop the Library Learning Tower commission as a priority and seek additional funding should the Creative Scotland

be unsuccessful (Decision due October 2012) Develop and look to fund permanent cultural engagement and animation programme(s) and events to foyer and LibraryLearning Hub

Work closely with Aberdeen City Arts Development Team to practically develop joint working project briefs with studentsand community linked to Public Art Aberdeen blueprint and protocol and focusing on Garthdee and Dee corridor

Develop creative wayfinding and interpretation strategy and project fund for campus wide, Garthdee and city linked toloop walk/cycleway

Linked to above, develop other public art briefs and budgets for integrated sculpture park linked to agreed Garthdeelandscape masterplan

Develop a next tier of school & faculty based project briefs with them as collaborative clients (internally and externally) Negotiate with Scott Sutherland, Grays and other interested schools to explore collaborative programme linked to

temporary installations and creative participatory events in art, craft, design, technology, engineering and architectureetc

Short-to-MediumTerm Enabling tasks to help vision and explore medium-long term goals

Commission detailed review of and feasibility for University Collections and need for permanent Gallery and public visitorattraction

Commission feasibility for Outdoor Cafe & Multi-Function Campus Gallery - possibly linked to RGU Collections Commission feasibility for re-use (including temporary) of Grays or new build on site possibly linked to RGU Collections Commission feasibility for estasblishing permanent RGU Riverside Festival (annual, biennial or triennial) Commission feasibility exploration into international collaborative design competition for new Dee footbridge PLUS

Shakey Bridge renovation fundraising via Arts & Business and Angel-shares Crowdsourcing

Summing Up:Creative Way Forward


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ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITY, GARTHDEE

PUBLIC ART & THE RIVERSIDE CAMPUS

survey questionnaire summary_05jul12

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