NEARLY £75,000 is being forked out to fund two art installations in Bournemouth.

The two new statues are set to be installed at West Cliff Green and Alum Chine next year.

The Alum Chine artwork will be inspired by the writings of Robert Louis Stevenson while the installation in West Cliff Green will be based on community engagement.

BCP Council is currently seeking tenders for the project, on a contract it said is valued at £74,000.

These are just two of 11 art installations proposed for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole’s coastline.

Other installations include artistic benches in Hamworthy Park; a maritime-themed wall of mosaic art in Mudeford; and a series of inspiring quotes in in Boscombe, written by members of BEAF’s The Outsiders Project.

Financed through the government’s Levelling-Up Fund, BCP Council hopes the artwork will help ‘boost civic pride’ and attract residents and visitors to ‘overlooked areas of the seafront’.

The local authority previously said it would look to engage with diverse and underserved communities in arts and culture, by theming each piece of art on ‘identity’.

The project, tiled The Public Art Intervention Programme, is due to be completed in full by the end of next year.

Cllr Andy Martin, portfolio holder for customer, communications and culture at BCP Council, said: “The Public Art Intervention Programme is funded by the UK Government.

“The £74,000 is for two projects - at West Cliff Green and Alum Chine. The latter will be inspired by the writings of Robert Louis Stevenson while the work on West Cliff Green is entitled 'Bournemouth Inspires' and will be based on community engagement with locals, including school children and retired residents that are part of Bournemouth u3a.

“The 11 artworks which will be installed right across our beautiful coastline are due for completion during 2025 and the aim is to help boost the prosperity and profile of each individual location.”