On behalf of Crewe Town Council, Counterculture are commissioning an artist or collective to research, develop and produce a public realm artwork for Crewe’s Art Trail launching in February 2025. This will be 1 of 4 new commissions that will form part of the town centre art trail alongside platforming and celebrating existing public art and creative activity in Crewe. Community engagement and/or co-creation will be central to the project and it is essential that the artwork is readily accessible by the local communities.
BACKGROUND TO THE CREWE ARTS TRAIL COMMISSON
Counterculture are excited to be working with Crewe Town Council to deliver an Arts Development Project and Arts Trail launching in February 2025. The project has been designed to nurture, support and facilitate participation in high-quality creative activities that will culminate in artistic outcomes that showcase the creativity and unique heritage of Crewe. The project will culminate in an Arts Trail launching over a weekend in February half term 2025 made up of permanent and temporary pieces of work, which will be displayed in accessible locations throughout the town for residents and visitors alike to enjoy. The launch weekend will involve a range of events and public engagement activity to celebrate the project and engage a wide audience in the trail’s theme, Making Crewe.
ARTIST ROLE
We are seeking a skilled public realm artist to lead on the design and implementation of an artwork that responds to this theme. For full details, please visit the Commission Brief.
ARTIST FEE
A total fee of £10,000 for all design, engagement and production costs is available and must cover the following. We anticipate that this might involve a split of 50% on artist fees to cover design and public engagement workshops with the remaining 50% for materials, equipment and installation costs:
• Attendance at minimum of 5 project meetings
• Close collaboration and communication with the project team
• Research and development of artwork including site visits as required
• Artwork design including amendments following feedback with the project team and as required by key stakeholders involved in situating the work
• Implementation & installation of final work
• All materials, equipment and production costs
• Travel costs and subsistence
• Licence to use a scissor lift if required
• Delivery of 5 x community engagement, co-creation or creative workshops or artist talks including an evening event for the local creative community and a public engagement activity for the launch of the trail in February 2025. To be agreed with the project lead
• Artist’s own insurance including PLI
*Please note that the artist is responsible for paying their own tax
LOCATION AND RESTRICTIONS
See the Commission Brief for full details.
KEY DATES & TIMELINE
• Closing date for applications: 9am, Wednesday 23 October 2024
• Artist Interviews: w/c 11 November 2024
• Project initiation meeting: w/c 18 November 2024
• Community engagement and participation: TBD between November 2024 and February 2025
• Final designs to be agreed with partners November/December 2024
• Creation and installation of work before 14 February 2025
• Launch Event including engagement activity: weekend of 14-16 February 2025
*It is important that the selected artist is available to work within these timescales as the artwork must be completed and launched by 14 February 2025
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Artists must submit the following information via email to [email protected] by 9am, Wednesday 23 October 2024:
• A response to the brief, detailing how you would incorporate community participation or engagement into the design and fabrication process, no more than 2 sides of A4
• Breakdown of available budget into artist fee, fabrication/installation costs, travel, materials etc.
• Up to Date CV including relevant qualifications and experience
• A portfolio of previous work related to your application (e.g. web link/ up to 4 pages of images)
• 2 references from previous public art and/or co-creation projects
Interviews will take place online. If you are invited to interview, we will liaise with you to arrange a time that suits and endeavour to accommodate any other work or caring responsibilities you may have.
We will share interview questions in advance and confirm who will be interviewing you.
If you have any queries or would like to discuss the brief in more detail, please contact [email protected]
FULL COMMISSION BRIEF DETAILS:
The Full Commission Brief document can be accessed here.
