Plymouth Sound National Marine Park (PSNMP) is excited to announce its partnership with Plymouth Culture and the appointment of Rob Bowman as Senior Creative Producer for an innovative programme of creative digital commissions.
Rob brings over two decades of experience working on large-scale public art projects and digital engagement programmes, making him excellently placed to oversee this ambitious cultural initiative with PSNMP, with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Working closely with Plymouth Culture and its partners, Rob will be responsible for designing and managing a series of innovative projects that will connect Plymouth’s communities with their marine heritage and nature in new and engaging ways.
His appointment marks a significant step in the development of the programme, which will use the latest digital technologies to create immersive experiences that blend art, culture, and the natural environment.
Hannah Harris, CEO of Plymouth Culture, said: “We are delighted to welcome Rob to Plymouth Culture. His extensive experience in leading artistic and digital engagement projects is exactly what we need to drive this exciting programme forward. The creative commissions under his leadership will showcase the rich marine heritage of Plymouth in ways that will inspire, educate, and engage communities across the city.”
Over the next four years, Rob will lead the delivery of cultural commissions, each focusing on themes such as archive & heritage, immersive environments, nature and outdoor installations. Projects will include community engagement initiatives, encouraging local residents to participate in the creative process and co-create the artistic outputs.
The work is part of Plymouth Sound National Marine Park’s Horizons Project to create the UK’s first National Marine Park, forging a new relationship between the city and the sea.
Rob Bowman, Senior Creative Producer, said: “This is an extraordinary opportunity to fuse culture, heritage, and digital innovation, creating experiences that will reconnect people with their marine surroundings in Plymouth. I’m excited to be part of a programme that will encourage communities to explore their cultural identity in new and meaningful ways.”
Rob’s background includes working as Head of Programmes and Production at Artangel (2007-2015), where he produced high-profile site-specific commissions such as Susan Philipsz’s ‘Surround Me’ and Roger Hiorns’ ‘Seizure’, both instrumental in the artists’ nominations for the Turner Prize.
Rob also curated exhibitions at the ICA London and Modern Art Oxford. In 2015, he moved to Bristol to serve as Director of Programme at Arnolfini, and later founded Co-Production in 2018, focusing on public realm projects and strategic consultancy for the museums and galleries sector.
Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, alongside Plymouth Culture and Plymouth City Council, looks forward to seeing how these digital projects will advance cultural engagement, deepen community connections, and strengthen Plymouth’s relationship with its marine environment.
The Plymouth Sound National Marine Park Horizons project has been made possible thanks to money raised by National Lottery players with £11.6million of funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.