Artists sought to help create exciting new trail in Great Yarmouth

Funded by the Great Yarmouth Town Deal, the trail will consist of ten pieces of art - such as sculptures or murals - designed to provide an outdoor gallery and circular route from the historic Market Place to the seafront.

And, with money from the Government's Future High Streets programme, the council is also looking to commission a regionally and nationally important landmark sculpture which will be installed as part of the improvement works currently underway at the Market Place.

The ten installations, and the Market Place sculpture, will be commissioned next month following an open procurement process.

Councillor Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: ''We are delighted to have received Government funding to be able to deliver what we hope will be an excellent new addition to the town that enhances our public spaces for the community and improves our tourism offer."

''We hope the trail will offer our residents and visitors the opportunity to see first-class public art and give people a chance to explore Great Yarmouth and discover more about the town.''

Focusing on the themes of maritime and medieval history, the borough's arts heritage, seaside, as well as transport and energy, the aim is to create a rich and involving experience for local people and visitors.

It is also hoped the project will celebrate the cultural diversity of the town and create a sense of pride in place, strengthening Great Yarmouth's reputation as a walkable town which offers quality, interest and connects people with their heritage, culture and natural environment.

Providing access to a significant free-to-access outdoor gallery means that anyone can enjoy art and culture in the town and the plans include volunteering and training opportunities.

The council is now working with a variety of organisations, including the Royal Society of Sculptors and Norfolk and Suffolk Art Forums, to promote the procurement opportunity - which is open to anyone - to as many local artists as possible before the closure date for submissions on November 10.

The submissions will then be assessed by a panel, made up of GYBC officers, members and representatives from The Arts Council and Historic England, with a view to announcing the final commissions by the end of November.

To find out more about the project and enter a submission for the trail visit  https://www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/public-art-trail-and-market-place-sculpture