Projects

Bright Sparks is a unique funding scheme which supports arts and design led research and development projects which explore the physical and social aspects of public open space in both urban and rural contexts.  Bright Sparks is first and foremost about supporting a new idea, or developing a new direction in thinking about public open space.  The primary interest of this ideas incubator scheme is in research which is conceptually challenging, rather than developing a completed product or physical outcome.  The scheme has been devised to provide the awardees with the time, resources, encouragement and new connections to enable them to respond to the unexpected and take risks without fear of failure. 

“The success of Bright Sparks proves that there is a significant part of the creative process that needs a period of unconstrained exploration and investigation.”
Fred Manson OBE, Bright Sparks Mentor

>>More on the Bright Sparks scheme

Our aim is to make the Bright Sparks projects accessible by publishing the original proposals and final reports.

Round One Projects
	Theresa Smith Urban Viewpoints   Download Full Report   David Buck Tipography
Round Two Projects
	Emma Smith & Sadie Stowell SubRural    John Cockram Environmental Health The Harrison Studio & Associates (Britain) Ltd The 30 Year NOW, a Future for the Lee Valley Justin Carter Renewable Devices for Art & Ecology
Round Three Projects
	Michael Pinsky Order to Chaos Graham Harwood, Richard Wright and Matsuko Yokokoji Cross Talk Rosanna Vitiello and Marcus Willcocks Impact of the Unknown Alex Murdin Immersion Terry Orchard and Simon Lee Dicker Sensory Navigation

The Bright Sparks R&D Projects book is available as download, detailing each Bright Sparks project with text, images and quotes from the awardees and presenting a comprehensive overview of the Bright Sparks scheme. 
Download a copy here (1 MB pdf)
To request a printed copy please email adriana@gunpowderpark.org 

Bright Sparks Seminars
As part of the unique mentoring and professional development facilitated by LANS, all Bright Sparks awardees are invited to seminars twice a year at Gunpowder Park to present their work, exchange their ideas and methodologies with the Gunpowder Park team, Bright Sparks mentors, project partners and colleagues. 
For details of the 4 April 2008 seminar: Bright Sparks  
A final seminar will be held in Autumn 2008. Further details to be published in Summer 2008.

Bright Sparks Mentors
Fred Manson, Darryl Newport and Andre Dekker
LANS  appointed three mentors who bring additional international expertise in the areas of arts and the public realm, regeneration, science and sustainability.  They have made available their professional expertise to support the lead awardees through their research processes.
>>Current Mentors