The educational, social and economic benefits of having sculpture within the community are well documented and show that the positive benefits extend well beyond the village they are located.

 

Creating a project in which members of the local community can collaborate with other bodies and professionals outside the community, can result in a sense of ownership and pride in the venture. It may also be essential to its long-term success, as it will be the local community that will be the main users of the meadow.

 

The success of the project could result in an excess of visitors and may become a problem and a cause of anger and resentment with local residents. This is why it is important that they are a significant member of the group, and their opinions and input are valued and acted upon.

 

Another area which could result in having a negative effect on the local community, is if the meadow is not adequately maintained and left to get into disrepair or become an eye sore. Adequate plans for the upkeep and maintenance of the meadow, could prevent this from happening.

 

Exhibiting sculpture within the Meadow could attract vandals and thieves into the area. Installing CCTV surveillance equipment and signage could alleviate this but would incur installation costs and ongoing maintenance costs.

 

Having a transdisciplinary group of people and businesses with experience of addressing and dealing with these types of issues, and who have a vested interest in the project, is one of the reasons transdisciplinary projects work well. The diverse range of skills and experience of the people involved can often prove to be invaluable. Bringing together diverse ways of thinking and problem solving can result in new initiatives and creative ways of addressing potential and existing problems.