York Residents Call for Graffiti Zone

YORK, U.K. - May 10, 2023 - PRLog -- New research by online art education platform Art Is My Career (https://www.artismycareer.com/graffiti-in-york-insights-from-a-focus-group-on-public-perception-and-attitudes/) reports that 84% think that the City of York Council should provide a designated area for graffiti artists to create their work, according to a focus group of 83 local residents. The data comes amid a growing trend of acceptance towards graffiti and street art as a legitimate form of cultural expression, even in historic cities such as York.

The results of the survey signify a shift in public perception of graffiti, with calls for the council to update its approach to the practice. 87% of respondents don't consider graffiti to be a serious problem in the city, despite several high-profile incidents being reported on in recent years, particularly around York Minster and the City Walls.

42% of people considered graffiti to be an art form that adds character and vibrancy to an area. With York-based artists like Part2 and Richard Shipley (CageOne) becoming prominent names globally in the street art scene as far back as the 1990s, pressure to acknowledge the cultural contribution of graffiti and street art to York is growing.

Luke Martin, Public Art Consultant at Art Is My Career (http://www.artismycareer.com/) shared: "We have seen a remarkable shift in the way street art is viewed in our communities. What was once dismissed as vandalism is now being recognised as a legitimate art form, capable of transforming public spaces and sparking important conversations."

The question being asked by many is when does graffiti become art?

The City of York Council (https://www.york.gov.uk/ReportGraffiti) website is unambiguous on the subject. "Graffiti spoils the local environment. It's criminal damage and can encourage other forms of anti-social behaviour - it can also be costly to remove." The council currently aim to remove all offensive graffiti within 24 hours and non-offensive graffiti within 4 working days. But residents have found this zero-tolerance approach flawed. "They have repeatedly removed graffiti which I thought was charming and creative. Graffiti is often better than grey concrete!"

Some residents feel very strongly that graffiti has no place in the city. "Graffiti should never be allowed, especially in a beautiful and historical city like York." Said one gentleman.

However, 66% of residents don't think it's important that the City of York Council prioritise the removal of graffiti from public spaces in York, and residents are asking for a more nuanced approach to graffiti that allows graffiti to have its place in York's cultural heritage, by the creation of a dedicated zone where graffiti artists can work freely.