Since beginning its journey in June 2010, the Baton has engaged over 3700 participants in 9 unusual locations. The Baton has worked developed a rich, varied and animated programme of artist‐led works, activities and happenings.
Margate - YOU ARE HERE
Romney Marsh - Artists' Retreat
Folkestone - Triennial Launch
To celebrate the beginning of the Kent Cultural Baton’s journey, a special series of one-day interventions took place during the Whitstable Biennale in June 2010.
From a monkey puzzle tree mapping exercise, to a foghorn chorus and performance, audiences were invited into the Baton to take part in a specially curated eclectic programme of artists live projects and exhibitions.
The artists invited include John Adams, Rosa Ainley, Bridgette Ashton, Erin Newell, Kiki Taira, Duncan Ward, Charlotte Warne Thomas and many more
The Baton appeared at Big Day Out in Gravesend, where passers-by were enticed into wearing 19th C clothing and photographed in a series of vignettes to highlight the rich heritage of the area. The photographic works created at the festival were directly influenced by the research into the exquisite Rosherfleet Pleasure Gardens built in the 1800s.
The Kent Cultural Baton became a site for participatory performance at Re:Bourne, Sittingbourne’s Arts Festival, in summer 2010. Audiences formed a large and excited crowd in a busy town centre to watch a performance involving a group of Time-lords seeking asylum in the present day.
In October 2010, participants were invited into the ‘Alternative Tourist Information’ booth where they could exchange a ‘little‐known story’ of Canterbury for a hand‐made artist’s souvenir.
The Kent Cultural Baton Lead Artist Nicole Mollett worked closely with Canterbury Festival to deliver this work and received 100 original stories, ideas and thoughts about the people and places in Canterbury.
Working closely with HM Prison Maidstone and the Maidstone Town Centre Management Team, Lead Artist Nicole Mollett took the Baton project to one of the oldest correctional institutions in the country.
Prisoners and staff undertook a drawing project to map the fascinating prison building. This allowed access to the rich architectural heritage, and uniquely, this was revealed through the creative vision of the users of the site.
