HE may not hail from the town but the new director of the Heart of Glass project knows all about St Helens' cultural heritage.

Dublin-born Patrick Fox has been announced as the new leader of the scheme, which is backed by a £1.5 million grant from the Arts Council and headed by the Saints Community Development Foundation.

By using iconic emblems of St Helens heritage — glass and rugby league —as it starting point, the campaign encourages more St Helens people to become involved in the arts.

Patrick has been been director of Create for the past three years — Ireland’s national development agency for collaborative practice — supporting leading national and international artists to make ambitious work with diverse communities of place and interest.

He said: “I am passionate about the role of the arts in civil society and I believe firmly in the power of cultural engagement to support civic participation. I am also particularly excited to be working in St Helens, a place full of history and vibrant communities - I look forward to getting started.”

He is no stranger to the town having directed ‘tenantspin’, a 14 year project between social housing tenants in St Helens and artists.

While working with Liverpool based FACT Patrick also led the Find Your Talent programme, which involved working with young people in St Helens and the council and library service.

The project will be rolled out over three years with events on the agenda to include public art, dance, music, theatrical displays, creative writing, digital and visual arts.

Organisers hope to involve thousands of people, including those who have never took part in the arts, to celebrate what is distinct about the town.

Gordon Pennington, chair of the Project Steering Group said: “Patrick’s broad ranging skillset, especially in the areas of contemporary collaborative practice, community engagement and partnership working, as well as his extensive and diverse experience of arts and civic participation will be a marvellous asset in driving the ambitious Heart of Glass project forward.

“The project team and our varied partners look forward to working closely with Patrick.”