Artists Wanted for Highfields Park Art Project, Nottingham

Nottingham are looking for artists to submit proposals for their Highfields Park Art Project. Details are below:

Highfields Park was donated to the people of Nottingham in the 1920s by Jesse Boot. He had a wish for the park to bring people and nature together in harmony and this was reflected in drawings and motifs originally used to decorate the grounds. It is a Grade II* registered park, part owned by the University of Nottingham and maintained by Nottingham City Council. It is a well-used and much loved park providing an inspiring site for recreation and outdoor events, benefiting local people, students and the general public from all over the city. Most recently Nottingham City Council has been successful in securing Heritage Lottery funds to refurbish the park and restore some elements of its heritage. The park is currently under redeveloped as part of this project alongside the new phase II of Nottingham’s Tram, which is also due to open in the summer linking the site more sustainably with the wider city and its conurbations.

Park Art aims to bring to life the history of the park and reflect the diverse population who use it. We wish to create a welcome to the park from the Tram stop and there will also be the opportunity to embed motifs and designs into railings and other parts of the park in the course of its refurbishment generated from working with the public in workshops. The project will create a welcome gate and decorative railings designed by local people in workshops and consultation with artists. We intend to work with a large representation of the population living in the area through workshops allowing local people and community groups to embed their own stories alongside those of the past to make this a special place reflecting the wealth and diversity of the current users.

The project will be managed by Nottingham City Council’s Parks Team, the City’s Arts Officer, Lakeside Education Officer in partnership with the Friends of University Park and the Highfield’s Park User Group.

Brief
We are looking for artists to submit proposals of what they would like to design and make for the park alongside information of how you would integrate the community’s ideas into the design. The proposal should demonstrate how the work will reflect the history of the park alongside its current users, tell stories and engage all ages. The finished work should aspire to tell a contemporary story about the park and reflect its past.

Tender process for Stage One.
You are required to send in ideas of what you would design to meet the above brief. Shorlisted artists will be paid to make a model of their design and be part of the competitive process for public vote. Please send your proposal and drawings, (no more than 2 sides of A4) along with up to three images of past work. Please also send a link to your website for our reference

Your submission should contain a document that outlines your ideas for this project and include the following:
• Details of how you would consult and work with identified community group(s)
• Full breakdown of costs for your design. (Not the model)
• The concept and potential design ideas
• Proof of Public liability insurance
• Willingness to have a CRB check
• Relevant experience and examples of other similar projects completed/references (up to 3 images)

Budget
There is a budget of up to £10,000 for this project to include:
• Design
• Workshops - a minimum of 10 workshops sessions
• Workshop materials
• Materials for the art work
In addition to the above budget, shortlisted artists will be paid to create a model of their idea that will then be voted on by the public and all members of the project group in an open competition.

Shortlisted artists will be able to attend a meeting on site with the parks team and be able to discuss the planned changes and how this will affect the park’s layout. There is also a collection of memories and comments from recent consultation and this will also be made available.

Please return your proposals for this project by Monday 22nd June by 12.00 noon to: Sharon Scaniglia: Sharon.scaniglia@nottinghamcity.gov.uk. Please put “Park Art Proposal” in your subject heading of your email

Further information about this brief or to have a discussion about your ideas please contact Sharon Scaniglia via e-mail or by telephone: 0115 8765583.