Testimonials

Maggie has supported Willis Newson in a variety of ways over the years. Her knowledge and experience of the public art sector is unquestionable. However, over and above this, I have always been impressed by her integrity and professionalism. She is rigorous, reflective and open minded in her thinking; organised, reliable and effective in her actions. Her commitment to quality underpins everything she does. Her engaging manner and excellent communication skills enable her to strive for the best without losing people along the way. It has always been a pleasure to work with Maggie.
Jane Willis
Founding Director, Willis Newson

Maggie was a wonderful tutor, full of energy and enthusiasm, her knowledge is second to none and her content delivery is clear and exciting. The day was very interesting and stimulated a lot of discussion and interaction. At the end of the day the artists left very fulfilled with lots of interesting and useful contacts.
Ishbel Ramsay
Arts Development Officer, East Devon District Council

Maggie was appointed to assist the Dorset Design and Heritage Forum review and re-establish its role in promoting design quality within community planning, land use planning and arts practice in Dorset. Her in-depth knowledge and expertise of public art was invaluable as well as her organisational and motivational skills which enabled members of the Forum to think creatively and develop a clear strategy for its future work. Maggie’s significant knowledge of the art of place making including the roles and responsibilities of the public, private and voluntary sectors enabled an informed approach to the review, securing realistic goals and objectives. Maggie is well organised and efficient and working with her was both a pleasure and inspirational.
Kevin Morris
Chair Dorset Design and Heritage Forum

Maggie undertook a mentoring session with me and was incredibly helpful. She approached my situation with great empathy and focus. She had thought carefully about what I needed before I went to see her and had completely understood the nature of my work and approach. She gave me loads of ideas and leads as well as sound, informed advice on how to position and grow my artistic practice
Clare Burnett
The Office of Art and Ideas

Maggie has been interviewed twice for my thesis about the Public Art in UK, because I strongly believe that she is the most knowledgeable and experienced person on this subject. One of my arguments for my thesis is that the most significant process in realizing good public art for the people is depending on the commitment of the people who have role of building networking and partnership of artists and people, stakeholders as well as experts. In this sense, Maggie is surely in the heart and has an indispensable role! I do hope to be able to collaborate with her some day! Because, I am pretty convinced that she will be surely successful in the new tasks!
Hiroko Shimizu
Public Art Coordinator, Special Researcher of GCOE
Osaka City University

Maggie is a consummate professional and within the South West is an unrivalled expert in her core discipline. Moreover, she is keenly aware of the need for a collaborative approach between disciplines in creating stimulating and successful environments, and has been responsible for bringing together many shared agendas for place-making in the region. We wish her well in this new venture…
Mark Pearson
Head of Design
South West – Creating Excellence

I have worked for many years with Maggie Bolt on projects ranging from the development of Bristol Legible City through the wider strategic programme of public art in the city of Bristol. Her knowledge is unrivalled, her enthusiasm for the potential of public art is infectious, her ability to build partnerships means that all key people and organisations are engaged and her commitment to good management and delivery is exemplary
Andrew Kelly
Director
Bristol Cultural Development Partnership

MBA took time to understand the uniqueness of Maidenhead and listened carefully to all of our partners in developing, with creativity and responsiveness, a comprehensive and effective Public Art Masterplan for the town.
Mark Taylor
Head of Libraries, Arts & Heritage, Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Maggie Bolt is one of the UK's leading practitioners in the field of public art. She has an unrivalled knowledge of the art of making places better in a way that communicates with the widest possible audience. She has an ability to bring together the right team and to make sure that they work together in a clear and focused way to achieve the best possible outcomes. It is a great pleasure and privilege to work with her
Terence O’Rourke

I have known Maggie Bolt for a number of years. During that time she has been a client, a colleague and a friend full of initiative, sparkle and ideas. She has shown immense talent in moving the debate on public art, urban design and urbanism from the rather stuffy confines of static display to one of active involvement of the artist in the conceptualisation of our urban environment. The clarity of her management capabilities showed through when she led a consortium of public agencies through The Strategy for Architecture and the Built Environment in the South West which resulted in the publication ‘Designing our Environment’. Her partnership building abilities in dealing with a disparate client group were impressive and key to getting this strategy accepted. She has tirelessly promoted the role of the artist, commissioning plans, holding conferences, engaging with professionals, communities and agencies to encourage potential clients to see advantages and the value of the artists’ contribution to our built environment. Maybe with more people like Maggie our cities will become more interesting and beautiful places
Jon Rowland
Director
Jon Rowland Urban Design Ltd

Maggie is a brilliant person to work with. That she is immensely knowledgeable and highly competent goes without saying, what distinguishes her is the commitment and, an abused term but for once appropriate, passion which she brings to her field. Equally important, she doesn’t mess about, with Maggie you know where you stand from the outset. Highly motivated, always delivers, the best of colleagues
Fred Brookes
Cultural Research and Strategy
Associate of Comedia

Maggie is a key member of the Gloucester Heritage URC Board and has offered clear and concise advice on cultural development opportunities and the important role that public art and design excellence can play in changing perceptions and adding vitality to city centre regeneration. Her contribution has helped to raise aspirations in both the Docks developments and at Blackfriars
Chris Oldershaw
Chief Executive
Gloucester Heritage URC Board

Maggie Bolt is someone who instinctively understands the importance of bringing creativity and imagination to the development and enhancement of our built and natural environment. She brings an entrepreneurial vigour to even the most complex and challenging of regeneration projects, and has an established track record for the successful delivery of important public art projects across the United Kingdom Nick Capaldi
Chief Executive
The Arts Council of Wales