NEW WEAR CROSSING ARTISTIC COMMISSION 2018 – CALL FOR PROPOSALS

As part of Sunderland Culture’s Great Place scheme Sunderland Culture are seeking proposals for an artistic commission, to work with local people to be part of the celebrations around the New Wear Crossing, and in doing so share a positive story about the distinct communities, and how they live together.

They are interested to hear from artists and organisations working across all artforms and anticipate that the commission will begin in late January/Feb 2018, culminating in the presentation of the final work around June / July 2018 (exact date tbc). The bridge is likely to be open and operational from spring 2018, with the official opening happening in the summer.

The commissioned artist/organisation will be required to engage local residents on both sides of the New Wear Crossing including Southwick, Castletown, Pallion and Millfield, and including members of BME communities.

Commission specification

Through these new commissions they hope to achieve:

  • High quality, ambitious art project with strong artistic integrity
  • A strong concept that responds creatively to the new bridge
  • A projects that will culminate in a performance and or exhibition that will attract audiences of at least 1000
  • Projects with a strong connection to our communities; responding to stories, everyday realities, resilience, places, people, histories, hopes and ambitions  for the future
  • Innovative approaches to building relationships and engaging with communities – in particular communities with low levels of cultural engagement
  • Projects between February and June that offer opportunities for at least 50 community members to participate and learn through doing art work that creates local excitement and pride, and attracts attention from beyond the area
  • A particular focus on the least engaged and opportunities for BME residents to connect
  • Projects with the potential to lever or unlock additional resources for arts and creative activity in the area in the future
  • Projects that enable different voices and ages to come together

They are also interested to hear suggestions within proposals for howthey can connect mentoring opportunities for local artists within this commission.

There is the opportunity for interested applicants to visit the Bridge site on Wednesday 6th December. Please contact them directly to arrange.

The full commission budget is up to £30,000 and must cover all infrastructure, venue hire and production costs. 

 

Applications

To apply please supply a written proposal outlining your artistic idea and approach (2000 words max), including:

  1. A brief outline of your artistic idea (max 300 words)
  2. Your previous experience in delivering similar scale commissions and a brief biography of the key organisations and or artists involved in your proposal
  3. Your approach to building partnerships and developing meaningful engagement with the local communities
  4. Your approach to managing the project and ensuring your ambitions are deliverable
  5. An outline timetable for your project assuming commencement from late Jan or early Feb 2018, bridge opening in early March 2018 and official event in June / July 2018
  6. An outline budget indicating your approach to managing it and how you envisage making the most of resources available/adding value
  7. Additional information about any support you will need from us to deliver your ambitions

 

Please see the full brief and specification here for details of how applications will be assessed.

 

Deadline for applications is Thursday 14 December 2017, 5pm.

 

Please email to Helen Connify – helen.connify@sunderland.ac.uk

 

Shortlisted applicants will be asked to present their artistic idea at an interview w/c 8 January 2018. The successful proposal will be notified by 12 January 2018

 

For an informal discussion or to arrange a site visit please contact Helen Connify, helen.connify@sunderland.ac.uk, 07748334807