SMArt Effect - Legacy for Sidmouth
Sidmouth Makes Art (SMArt) is a long-term vision to engage and inspire people.
What is SMArt?
By connecting creativity, place and wellbeing through community-led activities, SMArt creates opportunities for people to get involved and make art while also helping to make Sidmouth the artwork.
Our reach is multigenerational and young people are at the heart of SMArt impacts and outcomes.
Actions speak louder than words. Art and participation empower people to feel alive, express thoughts and feelings, develop skills and dialogue, and make their voices heard. SMArt has enriched the cultural vibrancy of the town through these connections, creating hundreds of artworks that feature in new public art spaces.
"All seven project elements have been absolute belters and brought people together across generations, interests and perspectives."Project participant
SMArt elements
1. Riverside Walkway Revitalised – Transforming a neglected public space with new artwork, brass rubbing trail, seating, and eco-friendly lighting, celebrating our local heritage and biodiversity.
Impact: Art in the landscape – connecting people to nature – benefiting wellbeing and biodiversity.
"My grandchildren loved doing the brass rubbings... How lovely if Sidmouth could be associated with being a creative town." - Riverside Walkway Visitor
2. Sidmouth Wallspace - A 3m x 6m outdoor billboard gallery showcasing nine different exhibitions featuring work from local and visiting artists, providing free access to art in everyday spaces.
Impact: Valuing community artwork through providing a large scale, showcasing diverse mediums, platforming local and international artists.
3. Micro Museums of Curiosities and Contemporary Art - Two repurposed red telephone boxes transformed into mini museums, hosting rotating exhibitions including work by local groups and Wilfrid Wood.
Impact: Innovating iconic heritage structures for residents and visitors with a variety of creative content.
"The phone box exhibitions, banners and billboard make me smile - they've given Sidmouth a quirky uplift." - Sidmouth Resident
4. Sidmouth Festival of Flags - 32 community groups designed unique flags celebrating Sidmouth's diverse community, displayed throughout the summer across town centre catenary wires.
Impact: Celebrating collective community purpose and the significance of civic society for the benefit of both those who live and visit Sidmouth.
"An amazing project from start to finish. I have enjoyed every aspect of my involvement. Sidmouth School of Art are inspirational." - Flag Workshop Participant
5. Sidmouth Faces - 800 clay tile self-portraits created by community members of all ages, to be installed in a permanent outdoor display.
Impact: Connecting all ages creatively to feel part of something bigger, generating a sense of belonging and civic pride.
6. Peace Garden Mural - A community-designed mural at the Dissenters Hall created with artist Sophie Larter, celebrating our shared values, local heritage, and sense of place.
Impact: Bringing together a wide range of people who use Dissenters, empowering them to collaborate and make more of this cherished space.
7. Digital and Print CODEX - Combining traditional printmaking with digital arts, giving young people opportunities to develop skills and confidence, with their work featured in public exhibitions.
Impact: Expressive and experimental giving voice to young people in our community, creative thinking, skills and wellbeing through finding meaning.
What the community says
"It helps make Sidmouth a better place to live - interesting, innovative, art on show." - Sidmouth Resident
"Really brilliant to see all the work on display. It was such a fun workshop but wonderful to see all the fantastic talent we have locally." - Workshop Participant
"I so admire all the work you are doing to bring art to the community and the community together!" - Museum Visitor
"Great exhibition. Made me smile and certainly summed up the spirit of Sidmouth!" - Flags Festival Visitor
"This is the best exhibition I've been to for ages. True creativity in action. Better than The Tate!" - One Day Museum Visitor
"Inspiring. Just what's needed in these difficult times." - Exhibition Visitor
Why SMArt?
SMArt addressed five key aims:
1. To empower creative confidence, particularly in young people
2. To inspire new collaborations and make new connections
3. To provide learning opportunities with different techniques and mediums
4. To engage more people with art as both makers and viewers
5. To share the benefits of art for wellbeing, self-expression and community cohesion
Through these aims, SMArt sought to nurture creativity within the community, enhance appreciation of art, contribute to wellbeing, and develop Sidmouth's cultural identity and sense of place.
How did we do?
Collective art-making offers huge social value – as shown by every element of SMArt in the local community’s support and desire to work together. Whether that’s exploring diversity and collective identity or benefiting the town economically, SMArt has made its mark through the experiences of Sidmouth residents and visitors.
Our post-project survey revealed:
- 95% of respondents said SMArt helped make Sidmouth a better place to live
- 80% said SMArt improved wellbeing
- 70% said they had fun, felt proud of where they live, and it helped them see things differently
- 60% said they explored their creativity
- 50% said they felt more connected
SMArt successfully delivered on all its objectives:
- Created seven new public artworks/installations
- Raised awareness of the importance of art and creativity
- Provided inspiration through exhibiting art in diverse spaces
- Curated participation opportunities helping people of all ages to discover talents and develop skills
- Contributed to community wellbeing through accessible art spaces
- Added value to the local tourism economy
- Mentored young people through contact with professional artists
- Developed collaborative art that inspired civic pride
- Enabled local people as participants and the primary audience
Results at a glance
- 1,302 people directly participated in creating artworks
- 563,000 estimated viewers based on tourism figures
- 500,000+ digital audience reached through various channels
- 46,000 Facebook Page visitors reach
- 44,390 impressions on Visit Sidmouth website featuring SMArt elements
- 9 artwork exhibitions at Sidmouth Wallspace
- 43 workshops held
- 800 clay self-portrait tiles created by the community
What's next?
SMArt has created a lasting legacy through:
- New permanent art spaces including Sidmouth Wallspace, Micro Museums and Riverside Walkway and Riverside Art Space
- "Our Town" artwork now permanently installed at Beacon Medical Practice
- A plan to create a new community art and cultural space in an unused sewage building
- Multiple new collaborations between artists and community groups
- Increased confidence in creative skills throughout the community
- Greater recognition of Sidmouth as a vibrant cultural destination
For the future, people in community groups across Sidmouth told us what they would like to see more of in a survey:
- 85% - art and creative projects
- 85% - public art works in unusual and unloved spaces in Sidmouth
- 76% - Sidmouth Wallspace projects
- 68% - open access community art projects for all ages
- 64% - art and cultural projects focusing on the environment
- 64% - art courses designed for specific groups of adults
- 62% - collaborations with local and international artists
- 56% - telephone box exhibitions
- 55% - art courses for children and young people outside of school
The success of SMArt has demonstrated the enormous appetite for creative activities in our community. Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub and Sidmouth School of Art are now developing proposals to build on this momentum.
"I think this is a project that will grow. Different artists and community groups will input into it and that feels like the start of something special."SMArt project participant
Thanks to our funders
SMArt was made possible through the generous support of Arts Council England and many local funders including East Devon National Landscape, Sidmouth Town Council, East Devon District Council Creative Fund, Sid Valley HELP, Sid Vale Association’s Keith Owen Fund, Devon County Council, Visit Sidmouth, and The Arts Society Sidmouth.
For details on each of the SMArt initiatives - head over to our SMArt page.