!

RIVER FARSET PUBLIC ART PROJECT

Cavehill Country Park, Horseshoe bend entrance, Belfast

Expressions of Interest for Site-Specific Artwork

Closing Date: Friday 4th September 2015

Commissioned by

Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich as part of Creative Belfast. Funded by Belfast City Council and Arts Council NI. This project is a partnership between

Cultúrlann and The Spectrum Centre.

! !

! 2

! 3

INDEX

CONTENTS PAGE NUMBERS

1. Project Summary

1.1 Commission Overview 4 1.2 Commission Context 4 1.3 Application Process 4 1.4 The Site 5 1.5 Project Management 5

2. Brief and Applicant Selection 2.1 Project Brief 6 2.2 Themes 6 2.3 Consultation 7 2.4 Project Budget 7 2.5 Role of the Artist 7 2.6 Artistic and Technical Considerations 8 2.7 Criteria for Artist/ Artist Team Selection 8 2.8 Artist/ Artist Team Responsibilities 9 2.9 Cultúrlann’s Responsibilities 9 2.10 Shortlisting to Stage 2. 10

3 Project timeline 10 4 Ownership 10 5 Payment Schedule 11 6 Submission of Applications 11 7 Requests for Clarification 11 8 Evaluation of Outcomes 11 9 Right to Issue Further Instructions 12 10 Expenses and Losses 12 11 Preparation of submission 12 12 Confidentiality 12 13 Ownership of Submission documents 12 14 Return of specified documents 12 15 Qualified Submissions 12 16 Right to request additional information 12 17 Evaluation Criteria 12

! 4

18 Conflict of Interest 12 19 Eligibility 13 20 Freedom of Information 13

APPENDICES Appendix 1 Format of Submissions: Stage 1 14 Appendix 2 Site Plans and Pictures 16 Appendix 3 Freedom of Information Statement

! 5

1. Project Summary

1.1. Commission Overview Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich is calling for applications by experienced and suitable qualified artists or artist teams to produce a dynamic an/d innovative site-specific sculpture for the Farset Project, beside the source of the River Farset.

The total budget available for the sculptures is up to £98,000 inc VAT to include all design, manufacture and installation of the work.

The deadline for applications is 5pm, Friday 4th September 2015 Late submissions will not be accepted.

1.2. Commission Context

This commission forms part of the Farset Project, a programme that aims to bring the communities living beside the river together to celebrate the story of the Farset in the foundation of the City of Belfast.

The Project is funded by the Creative Belfast Fund, a joint initiative between Belfast City Council and Arts Council NI to promote the arts in the City of Belfast.

The vision for this sculpture is to create a landmark piece for the City that draws attention to the River Farset and celebrates the communities who grew up around it.

1.3. Application Process This will be a 2-stage process:

· Stage 1: The purpose of stage 1 is to invite expressions of interest in this commission demonstrating evidence of ability to carry out this type of work and an appropriate approach to the commission, from artists / artist teams. The panel will then shortlist on this evidence those teams which will move forward to Stage 2.

The deadline for receipt of this stage application is Friday 4th September, 2015

· Stage 2. The Panel will shortlist up to 5 artists/artist teams who will be asked to work up their proposals into detailed designs to include scale drawings, marquettes / computer renderings as well as details of the processes to be used in development and making, timescales and detailed budget.

· The submission should include an explanation of the concept for the artwork, how it relates to our vision (as outlined in Section 5) and how the artist/artist team would approach design, fabrication and installation. Details of maintenance requirements and lifespan expectations should also form part of the presentation.

! 6

· The artist/artist team must demonstrate how the work can be implemented within the allocated budget and details of the anticipated duration of the project with timescale broken down into research, production and delivery. Possible planning requirements should also be taken into consideration. The selection panel will select one artist / team to undertake the commission.

· There will be a date (to be confirmed) arranged for a formal site visit to the grounds where questions can be addressed directly to the Project Manager and Belfast City Council Parks Department.

· A fee of £500 will be allocated for production of designs and maquette and all costs associated with the second stage proposal and interview. Please note: all travel costs to interview or site visit will be borne by the artists.

The artist / artist teams will be invited to come to a short interview to present their proposed approach to undertaking the commission in more detail.

Artists shortlisted to this stage will be notified by 8th September 2015

The successful artist /artist team will be notified by 16th October 2015

The sculpture must be completed and installed for a launch on 6th May 2016

1.4. The Site

A site has been identified for the artworks within the grounds of Belfast City Council Parks (see plans and pictures attached as Appendix 2).

· The site is a grassy meadow which forms part of an entrance to Cavehill Country Park. It slopes upward towards Squires Hill.

· The site is bordered by a residential area and an electrical station. Access to the site is at the Horse Shoe Bend which can be reached via Ballysillan Park or the Ballysillan Road. There is currently a narrow road leading to the meadow.

· The site is highly visible as it sits quite high up on Squires Hill. It is visible from many parts of Belfast and is on one of the access roads to Belfast International Airport.

· There are currently no lights on the site, therefore integrated lighting may be considered, if appropriate to the artistic quality of the work. It must be noted however that this site borders a residential area and should not create undue glare.

· Any material will be considered, however, it must be very robust and present no risk to pedestrians.

· The art work may need full planning approval and the artist must provide all necessary plans and technical details necessary for this process as well as being available for any meetings and consultations required. .

! 7

1.5. Project Management

Management of the commission will be undertaken by the Project Manager supported by a Project Steering Group comprised of representatives from the local community, Cultúrlann, Spectrum Centre, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council.

The appointed artist(s) will also be required to liaise closely with Belfast City Council Parks Department regarding site access, any necessary foundations and final installation. .

BRIEF AND APPLICANT SELECTION CRITERIA

This section provides artists with the project description, project and artists brief and selection criteria.

2.1 Project Brief This project seeks to commission an engaging and innovative piece of public art.

It is envisaged that the sculpture will embody the river and stand as a symbol of the hard working communities who helped to build the City of Belfast.

The artwork should be engaging to all of the people of Belfast regardless of age and backgrounds. It should also act as a magnet to draw both tourists and locals to the site to engage with the story of the river.

2.2 Themes The theme of the artwork should relate to the River Farset. The river is almost completely covered over and is for the most part, no longer visible. It has been a key resource to the people of Belfast from Bronze Age settlements to water powered industry such as the foundries and Linen Mills that harnessed the river’s energy. Many of the people currently living by the river can trace family histories to people who worked in the industries that were powered by the River Farset. The path of the river connects the city centre, where it runs down the middle of the oldest street, to the Belfast Hills and the connection to the surrounding nature should be considered in this project. This public art piece should draw attention to the river and its importance in the creation of Belfast.

It is also important that the artwork responds to the site both in terms of theme and form. Consultation with the local community and other key stakeholders will be an important in developing this aspect.

! 8

As the site is close to a residential area and there may be constraints imposed by the proximity of the houses. However, the piece must be highly visible, ideally across Belfast.

The submission should include a robust risk assessment and the design must take into account both public safety and the threats of vandalism and damage through climate and extreme weather. The area is potentially busy and accessible at all times. The design and materials used should require minimal maintenance. A costed maintenance plan over at least five years should be included in the submission. Any maintenance or rectification of fault in the work in the first twelve months will be the responsibility of the artist and at their cost, unless these are caused by act of God, malice or conditions the steering committee agrees are exceptional.

It is the responsibility of the artist to provide full specifications for adequate foundations and installation and to oversee the installation process in collaboration with the Project Manager, Belfast City Council Parks Department and all relevant staff and external specialists.

2.3 Community Consultation The appointed artist must engage creatively with the community groups specified by the Project Co-ordinator and devise a programme of workshops, presentations or demonstrations which:

· generate dialogue which identify key values and aspirations which may be reflected in the final artwork;

· effect the transfer of creative skills and processes to local young people.

Throughout the duration of the Project, the Artist will be required to liaise with and report to the Project Manager and to make presentations/ when required to relevant Steering Groups and stakeholders.

2.4 Project Budget

The Budget for this project is £98,000 (inclusive of VAT).

This budget includes research and development time, consultation, manufacture of the sculpture, foundations and installation of the sculpture(s) and associated transport and travel costs.

! 9

The artist / artist team will be required to sub-contract and project manage all associated work for the completion of the sculpture.

2.5 Role of the artist

· The artist / artist team will be responsible for the concept, design, manufacture and installation of the sculpture in consultation with the Project Manager, the Project Steering Group and other representatives of Cultúrlann, Spectrum Centre, Arts Council NI, Belfast City Council and project stakeholders.

· The artist/ artist team will provide the Project Manager the necessary design drawings and specifications for installation for approval prior to manufacture.

· The artist/ artist team will provide necessary design drawings and specifications for achieving any relevant planning approval applications.

· The artist/artist team will provide a detailed schedule of works leading to completion and will oversee all aspects of manufacture and installation in collaboration with all relevant Cultúrlann Staff and external specialists.

· The artist/ artist team will take part in any press and marketing opportunities relating to the work.

2.6 Artistic and technical considerations The sculptures should be:

· An engaging, dynamic and original response to this site

· Of a scale appropriate to the site

· Prominent and eye-catching

· Made in an appropriate material and finished to a high standard

· Safe and should not constitute a hazard

· Robust, resistant to vandalism and easy to maintain.

2.7 Criteria for Artist/ Artist Team Selection Stage 1: (please refer to Appendix A for format of submission for stage 1)**

Section Weighting

1. Artists details N/A

2. Insurance Pass/fail

3. Requirement specific questions - Relevant experience of working on public sculptures/ past clients - Artistic quality - Approach and project management - Ability to engage with communities and transmit skills - Approach to design and client engagement

(100% total) 40 30 10 10 10

! 10

The Selection Panel will award the commission to the artist/artist team based on their submitted proposal and subsequent presentation if successfully shortlisted.

The Selection Panel may consist of The Project Manager and representatives from Cultúrlann, Spectrum Centre, The Project Steering Group, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council.

2.8 Artist/ Artist Team Responsibilities The successful artist/ artist team will be responsible for:

· Liaising with the Project Manager and Project stakeholders on all aspects of the project;

· Documenting the project design and specifications;

· Supplying and funding all materials required for the project, including works’ safety requirements;

· Ensuring appropriate work site safety procedures are undertaken throughout the preparation and installation of the sculptures;

· The preparation of the site;

· The fabrication and installation of the sculpture;

· Completing the project within the time-frame provided ;

· Contributing to marketing activities such as photo shoots, allowing use of drawings, any other reasonable activity requested by Cultúrlann, Belfast City Council or Arts Council NI;

· Contributing to reporting and evaluation requirements at the conclusion of the programme;

· Attending progress meetings when required;

· Engaging with key stakeholders;

· Regularly updating the Project Manager on project development;

· A maintenance schedule for a period of 5 years or the life of the artwork, whichever is greater;

· Repair/ correction of defects within 1 year of installation;

· Managing all aspects of technical assistance requirements for installation as necessary, which includes structural engineers report, and paying all associated fees where relevant;

· The successful artist/artist team will be expected to submit evidence of expenditure and an itemised project budget that identifies all costs, including contingencies. It must cover all disbursements, design, documentation, materials, manufacturing and the delivery to the site of the finished art work;

· An agreed programme of works and associated payment schedule based on activities will be agreed with the successful artist/ artist team.

! 11

2.9 Cultúrlann’s Responsibilities Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich and its appointed representatives are responsible for:

· Monitoring and evaluating the project on behalf of project funders;

· Co-ordinating with project funders and fulfilling funding requirements;

· Ensuring artist/ artist team has project management in place for construction, if required;

· Primary artist/artist team contact;

· Providing stakeholder and landowner contacts; advising on necessary requirements and details for installation

· Project marketing and reporting to funders;

· Advising the artist(s) if in the future the art work needs to be relocated or intentionally modified, or destroyed;

· Facilitating stakeholder relationships as requested and if suitable;

· Overseeing the overall project;

· Copyright of all images taken during the project will belong to Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich

2.10 Shortlisting to Stage 2.

Up to 5 shortlisted artists will be invited to attend an informal interview with members of the panel to clarify the intended approach to the project. The artist will be asked to make a short presentation of past work and detail their approach to each project.

Shortlisted artists will be invited to view the identified site and be briefed fully on the commission by the Project Manager and other representatives of the Project Steering Group.

3 Project timeline

Event Date

Stage 1 application opens and public advertisement 12th August 2015

Deadline for receipt of Stage 1 applications 4th September 2015

Shortlisted artists informed 8th September 2015

Site Visit TBC

Deadline for receipt of Stage 2 7th October 2015

! 12

4 Ownership

The artwork becomes the property of Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich after installation by artist/design team. A contract for this project will provide for the appropriate care and maintenance of the work, artist’s copyright and acknowledgement.

5 Payment Schedule

The successful artist will be engaged by Cultúrlann and the payment schedule will be as follows:

· 30% will be paid upon signing of contract; · 30% will be paid upon completion of sign off of final design and approval by the client

prior to manufacture; · 40% will be paid upon acceptance of work by Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich and the

completion of the reporting requirements.

*This payment schedule is subject to Cultúrlann having received payments from Belfast City Council and Arts Council NI’s Creative Belfast Fund.

6 Submission of Applications

Submission requirements for Stage 1 are detailed in Appendix 1.

2 hard copies of each Submission should be sent to:

Farset Project Manager Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich

216 Falls Road An Ceathrú Gaeltachta Belfast BT12 6AH

· Please clearly mark your Submission envelope “Farset Art Project”.

· The application should be submitted no later than 4th September 2015.

· Applications must be either in Irish or English and prices in sterling.

Stage 2: Presentations by short listed artists 14th October 2015

Short listed artist informed 16th October 2015

Event Date

! 13

· Information submitted shall be checked for completeness and compliance with the instructions before evaluation

7 Requests for Clarification

All requests for clarification or further information in respect of this project or any questions about the procurement, should be submitted by email to: aisling@culturlann.ie

No approach of any kind in connection with this commission should be made to any other person within, or associated with Cultúrlann or Spectrum Centre or by any other means.

If Cultúrlann considers any question or request for clarification to be of material significance, both the question and the response will be communicated, in a suitably anonymous form, to all artists/ artist teams who have been issued the documents before the return date and time.

Any such communication from applicants must be received no later than two days before the closing date and time of the Stage 1 process (the last day to receive questions or clarifications is 2nd September 2016).

8 Evaluation of Outcome

Both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing by Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich.

9 Right to Issue Further Instructions During the procurement period, Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich reserves the right to make changes to the Stage 2 documentation and any such changes shall be accepted by the applicants and incorporated into the finalised submission.

10 Expenses and Losses Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich shall not be responsible for, or pay for, any additional expenses or losses that may be incurred by any applicant in preparing their submissions or abiding by the conditions outlined herein. The contract is fixed price for the supply and installation of goods as detailed above.

11 Preparation of submission It is the responsibility of artists/ artist teams to obtain for themselves, at their own expense, any additional information necessary for the preparation of their submissions.

12 Confidentiality All information supplied by Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich in connection with this Stage 1 process shall be treated as confidential by applicants, except that such information may be disclosed so far as is necessary for the purpose of obtaining sureties, guarantees and tenders necessary for the preparation and submission of the proposal or by operation of law.

! 14

13 Ownership of Submission documents The documents comprising this application shall remain the property of Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich. Artworks will become the property of Belfast City Council after installation.

14 Return of specified documents Failure to return all specified documentation by the closing date, or such subsequent date as may be prescribed, may result in the submission not being considered.

15 Qualified Submissions No amendments to the Stage 1 documents issued will be considered valid, except as shall be explicitly required or admitted (in writing) by Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, qualification of submissions may result in rejection thereof.

16 Right to request additional information Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich reserves the right to require any applicant to provide additional information supplementing or clarifying any of the information provided in response to the requests set out in this Stage 1 document. Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich may also seek independent financial and market advice to validate information declared, or to assist in the evaluation of the submission.

17 Evaluation Criteria Evaluation criteria and scoring mechanism are set out under “Criteria for Artist/ Artist Team Selection” above.

The Selection Panel aims to appoint one artist/ artist team however, the panel reserves the right not to appoint.

18 Conflict of Interest Artists will be required at all times to adhere to high standards of propriety, including impartiality, integrity and objectivity. This means that any private, voluntary, charitable or political interest that might be material or relevant to the work of the project should be declared. Both real and perceived conflicts of interest must be declared, as the appearance of conflict could be as damaging as the existence of actual conflict.

It is important that all potential conflicts of interest are declared at the beginning of the appointment process. All submissions will be assessed on merit and not treated more or less advantageously because of an actual or perceived conflict of interest.

19 Eligibility Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich is committed to equal opportunities for all and the submissions will be judged as seen, purely on merit and without prejudice.

20 Freedom of information Artist(s) are required to complete a Freedom of Information Statement Appendix 3

! 15

! 16

Appendix 1: Format of Submissions: Stage 1

2 hard copies of each application should be submitted, in the following format:

A. Artists / Artist team details

1.1 Name of applicant or team

1.2 Contact name for enquiries

1.3 Address

1.4 Telephone number

1.5 E-mail address

1.6 Website

1.7 Are you registered for VAT? If so please provide number

1.8 Are you limited company, sole trader or partnership

Are you the lead artist

2 Insurance please provide evidence of Public and Products Liability Insurance of up to £10million

Do you have employers l iab i l i t y insurance?

Please confirm that you would be willing to take out the appropriate level of insurance cover to comply with the contract conditions if you are successful in winning the contract

! 17

B. Requirement specific questions

1 Experience of working on public sculptures and past clients

Provide a list of up to 5 and no more than 12 examples of work most relevant to this project which have been undertake by you. Include the commissioners name and contact details (if possible) site location, the value and date and any relevant details relating to the subject, stakeholder involvement.

P l e a s e i n c l u d e images (jpeg/pdf and hard copy) and details

Limit detail to 250 words per artwork

2 Artistic Quality

This will be judged on the images provided for evidence of past work.

3 Approach and project management

Provide a document outlining the approach to the delivery of 5 of the artworks provided in Question 1 above.

P lease l im i t your r e s p o n s e t o 2 5 0 words per sculpture

4 Approach to design and stakeholder engagement

With reference to the 5 completed artworks, please outline how you worked with and engaged with the client and key stakeholders

P lease l im i t your r e s p o n s e t o 5 0 0 words per sculpture

5 What is your interest in this project?

In no more than 250 words, please explain why you are interested in this project.

P lease l im i t your response to no more than 250 words.

! 18

Appendix 2: Site Plans and Pictures

!

! view 1 Entrance to the site

! 19

!

!

View 2: Images of the site in Spring

! 20

!

View 3 Site in Summer with grassy meadow and access road

!

View 4 : Closer view of access road

! 21

Appendix 3 Freedom of Information Statement

Please complete either 1, 2 or 3 below, sign, date and enclose with your submission.

I/We consider that:

1. None of the information supplied with this submission is sensitive Yes / No

2. The following information supplied with this tender should not be disclosed because of its sensitivity. Please provide reasons.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Period for which information should remain commercially sensitive. Please state.

_____________________________________

Signed: _____________________________________

Block Capitals: _____________________________________

For and on behalf of: _____________________________________

Date: _____________________________________