Nottingham Contemporary and other Venues

With the New Art Exchange open and Nottingham Contemporary emerging in various forms this group might be a good place to post some critical feedback and appreciative squeals.

I was stuck by the fact that the Nottingham Contemporary exhibition at the old Beatty's shop in May had no artworks in it, until I drew one on the blackboard provided. Some fascinating documentation but an effective use of scarce visual funds?

Newstead Abbey and Byron are getting the treatment next. Apparently there are contemporary artists who have a deep knowledge and love of Byron's poetry who are willing to lend work inspired by his genuis and his life.

Again is this a suitable use of visual arts resources? Doesn't it sound a bit like some thing that the literature dept. might fund?