From Wed 11^th– Sat 14^th July 2018, the City of Sunderland will host the world famous Tall Ships Races. The event will see 70-100 vessels from across the globe gather at Port of Sunderland, crewed by 5-6,000 young people, to take part in a 4 day extravaganza which we expect to attract crowds of up to 1.5 million people. Whilst the Port and areas around the mouth of the river will be the berths for the ships, there will be an extensive programme of activity taking place at key event sites on the north and south of the river and within the city centre.  These events will themselves include local, national and international artists and create cultural links with the other Tall Ships Races destinations in Scandinavia and the Netherlands.

The Tall Ships Races Sunderland 2018 will have a significant impact for Sunderland. The ambition is to deliver a safe, spectacular, 4 day programme that showcases Sunderland as a welcoming, forward-looking, innovative city and enhances our reputation as an “Events City” on an international stage. The event will celebrate maritime heritage and will invigorate our cultural offer, creating a legacy for residents and visitors.

Local Wearside Artistic Commission

They are seeking to commission four local artists or companies based in Wearside to devise and deliver an outdoor performance over the 4 days of the festival.  The performance may be static or walkabout with the purpose of entertaining visitors to the tall ships whilst berthed in the city.  They are seeking highly original ideas and skilled performances that link with the cultural programme themes of:

• Invention
• Navigation
• Destination

Location

The performance may be presented at one or all of the identified sites in the city:  the Port; the Riverside; the Town Moor/East End; Keel Square and Seaburn Recreation Ground.

Commissions Timetable

Artistic commissions launched                                   Friday 1^st December 2017

Deadline for Submissions                                            Monday 29^th January 2018

Amount of Commission

The full commission budget is £2,500.

(Mentors are separately engaged)

Applications

To apply please supply a written proposal covering:

1. Your artistic idea
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. How your project connects to the three themes of Invention, Navigation and Destination
4. Your approach to managing the project and ensuring your ambitions are deliverable
5. An outline timetable for your project assuming commencement from January 2018
6. An outline budget indicating your approach to managing it and how you envisage making the most of resources available/adding value

Assessment

Applications will be assessed against the following weighting

Please submit email applications by Monday 29^th January, 2018 to:

Helen.green@mactrust.org.uk

For any queries please contact Helen Green on: Tel: 07930 877 345  /  0191 515 5529

Riverside Studio 1

National Glass Centre

Liberty Way

Sunderland

SR6 0GL

Background information

The Tall Ships Races are an annual competition organised by Sail Training International (STI). Each year 70-100 vessels from across the world, crewed by 5-6,000 young people, take part in a 4 day event. The Tall Ships Races provide an opportunity for young people to develop their personal skills.