Artists and organisations are invited to submit project proposals for a co-commission from Light Up Lancaster and Lancashire Encounter Festivals 2016. Following a successful pilot co-commission 2015, the two city-based festivals are working together to commission a new piece of work to be part of both festivals in autumn 2016.

About Lancashire Encounter (23 - 25 September)

Lancashire Encounter is a mix of performances, street theatre, music, mass participation, market places, workshops, exhibitions and installations fused together in a unique urban fete. It is an ambitious, high quality biannual festival for the whole of Lancashire that captures the region's tradition of making and participating in great art. Bringing together Lancashire's artists, arts organisations and diverse communities, the Encounter will celebrate the very best of the region's culture over one weekend, in one central location for one audience.

Lancashire Encounter takes place in the heart of Preston, in the Flag Market, Markets, Winckley Square, Fishergate, the streets and the train station. The Festival will span the weekend, with events during the day and into the evenings. This commission will be evening-based.

About Light Up Lancaster (4 & 5 November)

2016 will be the fourth year ofLight Up Lancaster Festival. The festival has developed into a wonderful, unique and authentic light and art festival for Lancaster, which feels 'owned' by the local community and which celebrates and illuminates Lancaster's rich cultural heritage. The programme consists of installations and performances, all with light as a central guiding theme. Some artworks will be in situ/performed for just the Friday evening, and others will continue into the Saturday, alongside the annual fireworks spectacular.

Light Up Lancaster takes place after dark, in various locations across Lancaster city centre, including Lancaster's historic squares, streets, green spaces and open spaces, forming a walk-able 'arts trail'.

Co-commission Opportunity

We are interested in commissioning a new work to take place at both festivals.

The work should be able to take place in both city centres, and could be sited or roaming. Advice on available locations will be given. Projects could be installations or performance-based, will be suitable to take place outdoors, in the evening.

The maximum fee available is £8,000  

Criteria

All projects should:

·         engage with the theme of light

·         have a Lancashire connection, such as working in partnership with Lancashire artists, or be made in Lancashire, or taking creative inspiration from the county

·         be suitable for a family audience

·         be able to take place outdoors in the evenings, whatever the weather, or have a sensible wet weather contingency plan

·         be able to be enjoyed by several thousand audience members across the two festivals

·         be durational in nature, or if performance-based, be short and repeated

Our Process

All proposals will be assessed by the Light Up Lancaster Creative Producer and Head of Events and Cultural Services, Preston.  Proposals will be assessed on these criteria:  artistic quality, ambition and innovation, financial and logistical viability and value for money. Following the initial assessment stage, some artists/organisations may be asked to develop their proposals further.

·         23 June (5pm) - Closing date for expressions of interest

·         1 July - Commission offers made

Further Information

·         More information about Light Up Lancaster can be found here www.lightuplancaster.co.uk

·         More information about Lancashire Encounter can be found here http://prestonguildcity.co.uk/visit/culture/annual-events/lancashire-encounter/

Support:

All projects should be technically self-sufficient and budgets calculated to include all technical requirements. Projects will be supported as they develop by the Light Up Lancaster Festival Creative Producer and at the events, by the Festival Production teams