Artist Brief - St John's Worcester

Brief for Artist

St.John’s, Worcester

1         Background

Worcester City Council are inviting applications from an artist or group of artists to deliver a concept, design and installation of public art funded through S106 developer contributions for the Sainsbury’s Swanpool Walk development in St. John’s, Worcester.

 

2         St. Johns location

St. John’s is a suburb of Worcester which lies to the west of the city. The name St. John’s is also used to refer to all of Worcester west of the River Severn including residential suburbs. The central part of St. John’s is a Conservation Area, designated because of its special architectural and historic interest. There are two parks in St. John’s, Pitmaston Park to the southwest and Cripplegate Park to the northeast. St. John’s is a historic settlement built upon pre-existing Saxon roads and has a varied historic environment which includes Roman enclosures and burials, medieval timber-framed buildings, sites of Civil War fighting, and former tanneries and malthouses. The area is rich in architectural and historic interest and the St. John’s Conservation Area includes 29 grade II listed buildings and one grade II* listed building.

 

Known locally as ‘the village in the city’, St. John’s contains many local independent shops including two butchers, a chemist, library, as well as a large Sainsbury’s and an adjacent sports centre. It also has a number of local pubs. Close to St. John’s are three primary schools and a secondary school. To the north of St. John’s is the University of Worcester St. John’s Campus.

 

3         Context

The selected artist(s) will work with officers and members from Worcester City Council, Worcestershire County Council and local community groups and schools to deliver a unique and interesting public art concept that will reflect and celebrate, in some way, the heritage of St. John’s, and which can act as a focal point in and around the area to create a sense of civic pride. Initial concepts are that the artwork will reflect and/or interpret the history, heritage and the present day of St. John’s through researched themes. Artists are asked to consider the themes of people and community, buildings and place, retail and leisure.

 

In particular the objectives are:

 

·         To create unique and distinctive artwork(s) that are of a high quality and design, are durable and easy to maintain, which integrate with the character of St. John’s and enhance the character of the St. John’s Conservation Area.

·         To create artwork that builds on the identity of St. John’s through its heritage in an innovative and engaging way, and is responsive to the local community.

·         Provides a focal point or series of focal points that can be enjoyed by all ages and abilities, and seeks to involve all members of the local community and visitors.

 

4.       Location and scope for the work

·         The artist should be able to use outdoor, robust and user-friendly materials in an innovative and creative way and which require minimum maintenance.

·         The work should visually integrate with the character of St. John’s and capture the essence of the place, however there is scope for modern interpretation and materials which enhance and/or complement the historic environment.

·         There is scope for the artwork(s) to be located at various strategic locations in St. John’s and it is envisaged that there will be links to key sites including both parks.  

 

5.       Role of the artist

·         Research the area and its residents to assess the scope of the commission.

·         Run workshops with local residents, community groups and schools to engage with ideas and identify community priorities.

·         Research ideas within the scope of suggested themes for the main artwork and justify location(s).

·         Design and make the artwork, transport and install the work.

·         Publicise the work and involve the local community at all key stages, including the unveiling.

 

6.       Budget

The fee for the work is capped at £30,000. This fee should cover all costs associated with the design process, local research and workshops, materials, fabrication, transport and installation.

       7. Target audience

It is important that this project engages with and subsequently reaches as much of the local                community as possible, covering a wide demographic.

The aspiration is to encourage a wide range of people from the area to talk about and visit St. John’s and the artwork and be proud of the history and heritage of their community.

8.       Selection process

This opportunity is being advertised both locally and nationally. Artists will be selected on the following criteria:

·         Quality of work and enthusiasm for this project.

·         Ability to meet the brief within budget and show value for money.

·         Proven experience of being able to produce commissions and delivering them to set deadlines.

·         Proven ability to collaborate with a range of professionals.

·         Proven ability to successfully engage with local communities and target audiences and an awareness of the social impact and accessibility of their work, both physically and intellectually.

·         Show an awareness of the local area and be able to relate their work to the St. Johns area and the themes expressed for interpretation.

Artists are asked to provide an expression of interest in the first instance. No designs are required at this stage, but images of at least three examples of previous work and references from two previous commissioners must be supplied, along with an outline approach to the design process. Evidence of insurance (minimum £5 million public liability and £1 million professional indemnity) is also required, and artists must hold a current DBS check.

 

Expressions of interest should be submitted electronically to Julie Lynn, Worcester City Council julie.lynn@worcester.gov.uk by midnight on 3 April 2016.

 

 The Subject bar should contain the title: St. John’s Worcester ARTIST SUBMISSION

 

There will be a shortlisting exercise from the expression of interest. Those shortlisted will be asked to attend an orientation session on 13^th April 2016, to include visits to potential locations for artwork, and provide outline designs by 30^th April 2016. Design proposals should also include how the artist would approach community engagement within their proposal.

 

Schedule

 

1	Brief advertised	March 2016
2	Deadline for expressions of interest	3 April 2016
3	First stage sifting of expressions of interest	April 2016
4	Orientation session	13 April 2016
5	Deadline for outline designs	30 April 2016
6	Interviews	May 2016
7	Selection of artist	May 2016
8	Agreement of draft design and contract	June 2016
9	Development of proposals with community	June - early July 2016
10	Agreement of final design	By 16 July 2016
11	Creation of artwork	TBA
12	Installation	TBA
13	Unveiling	TBA

 

9.       Appointment

 

Following an interview/selection process with a panel that will include local Councillors, officers from Worcester City Council and Worcestershire County Council, the selected artist will be required to enter into a contract to design, make and deliver the artwork within a mutually agreed timescale and programme installation in conjunction with Worcester City Council.