Anger at spending of HMR arts grant

Artists defend exhibition

A DECISION to spend a grant on an art exhibition and buffet for residents who were part of Oldham’s axed Housing Market Renewal (HMR) scheme has sparked anger.

However, the Manchester artists who were commissioned to devise a project to engage communities in regeneration areas using a £6,000 grant from the Arts Council, have defended the move.

The money, which was awarded to pARTicipate — a three-year arts programme linked to HMR — outlasted the multi-million pound housing scheme which was wound up in March.

The organisers say the Arts Council is happy for the remaining funding to be spent on the town-centre exhibition.

Residents, who were promised new housing, have been invited to a buffet and exhibition at Oldham town centre’s Exchange Shop, in Albion Street.

Ultimate Holding Company — the artists — says it has fulfilled its brief as given by the funders, but councillors Jackie Stanton and Roger Hindle say they are outraged over how the public money is being spent.

Councillor Stanton said: “We have three primary schools in Derker — if the money has to be spent on art, it should be given to those schools to do a project.

“I am shocked. This is a complete and utter waste of public money. There are loads of ways that money could be spent in Derker on art or otherwise.

“I have never been asked for my opinion and had I been asked I certainly wouldn’t have suggested a buffet and some pictures in Albion Street.”

Councillor Hindle said he was gobsmacked at the “insensitivity of the plans”, considering what Derker — one of the HMR areas — went through when a developer pulled out.

Dan Russell, project manager at Ultimate Holding Company, said they were given the art budget earlier this year, before HMR was axed and had developed A Private Function as the fairest and most direct way of using the money.

He said: “We went to see Derker, where we met someone about to lose their job as a result of HMR, so we realised there wasn’t a community left to engage with.

“There has been no suggestion of waste or misuse and the work is targeted at getting the best experience of a socially-engaged art project to those intended to benefit.

“All of the food and cutlery used will be sourced through the market so again, cash is given back to the community.

“Having a small art event in the town for those affected (by HMR) is not a scandal, and seeking to suggest so is to ignore the real issues. Councillors who comment adversely on the work have not seen it or tried to understand what artists do.”

Annie O’Neill, Oldham Council arts manager, said the £6,000 was never earmarked for Derker, adding: “It was always earmarked for involvement in the town-centre shop project by community members from regeneration areas, bringing them together.”

Most of the artworks are being kept under wraps for the big launch, but include a drawing of an omelette and an egg carved from granite.

Residents and ex-residents affected by HMR and council employees are invited to the event between 1 and 6pm on Sunday, June 5.