Fellow's Profile
Alexander Goodger
Fellow's Profile
Alexander Goodger
Reclaiming Canalsides: Public Art for Heritage, Community Pride and Anti-Tagging Solutions
Fellowship
- Themes
- Focus
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Using public art to reclaim neglected urbanised spaces and reduce vandalism.
- Countries
- Fellowship year
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2026
- Locality
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West Midlands
Contact
Biography
I am the Director of Stourbridge Glass Museum, located on the canalside in the Black Country. I grew up in an ordinary post-industrial background and know first-hand how neglected public spaces can make communities feel forgotten and unsafe. My Fellowship focuses on using public art to reclaim vandalised spaces, reduce graffiti and tagging, and turn neglected heritage areas into sources of pride and creativity, with community murals. I am driven by what I see every day - beautiful industrial landscapes scarred by decay, and local people who feel disconnected from their own surroundings.
I will visit the USA, Mexico and Australia to learn how community-led murals, and heritage artworks have successfully transformed similar spaces. I hope to bring back practical models that can be piloted along the Black Country canals, working with residents, young people, museums, and the Canal & River Trust. Ultimately, I want to show that public art is a powerful tool for identity and pride, healing, ownership, and lasting change in our communities. Let's take ownership over our own communities to make our ugly spaces beautiful again.
Disclaimer
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
Disclaimer
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
