ARTIST COMMISSION BRIEF 

Stories, Myths and Legends of Church Ope Cove 

Working in partnership with b-side, Portland Museum wish to commission an artist to create work responding to the history and environment of Wakeham and Church Ope area of the Isle of Portland, Dorset. Expressions of interest are invited from artists working in any media to undertake a period of research resulting in a final work to be hosted by the museum in September and October 2020, and included in the biennial b-side festival 5 -13 September 2020.  

Background: 

Portland is a curious island with a very particular history and ecology. It forms part of the Jurassic Coast of Dorset and is approached via a narrow causeway. A hulk of limestone, bounded by steep cliffs and treacherous seas, it is unique, unlike anywhere else in Dorset. Its coastal edges are subject to the forces of nature, eroded by the sea, landslips and rock fall, its interior removed by quarrying and mining. Prior to the first road bridge built in 1839 linking it to the mainland, Portland was an isolated agricultural community sustained by farming and fishing and with its own individual ways and customs. However, the island has been dramatically changed and influenced over the years by quarrying along with military appropriation and secret experimentation, resulting in what is now widely regarded as an industrial landscape and economy. The story of its extraordinary past is told in the collections held by the island's museum. 

Portland Museum is housed in two 17th Century cottages in Wakeham, one of Portland’s earliest settlements, situated on the eastern side of the island above Church Ope Cove - one of the few places the steep-sided island could be accessed. The area is richly layered in history with a ruined medieval castle and church associated with Vikings, smugglers and pirates. Related artefacts from the church are held in the museum. The Church Ope area attracts much public interest but physical access to parts is restricted or difficult for many.  

The museum is about to embark on a community-led research project to explore the history of this area with the aim of enhancing interpretation and access to the museum’s collections as well as engaging, diversifying and increasing audiences. Guided and supported by a Research Coordinator, local residents will research and gather together facts, stories, myths and legends about the Church Ope area and its context. This community research will involve walks, visits to sites and the use of records and archives, and the sharing of people’s experiences and memories. The information and understanding gathered will be collated and recorded into a report linking to the museum’s collection and the wider history of Portland. This report will be used to inform and inspire new interpretation materials for the museum and an artist commission to help share the learning with residents and visitors to Portland.  

The commission is funded by Arts Council England and will be managed by b-side, an arts organisation based on Portland. b-side commissions artists from all disciplines to make site-specific artworks for the Isle of Portland and holds a biennial festival to showcase the work. b-side’s ethos is to develop projects that sustain or enhance the distinctive geographical character of a place - its environment, heritage, aesthetics, culture, and well being of residents.  

Further background info: 

https://www.portlandhistory.co.uk/

http://www.portlandmuseum.co.uk/ 

https://b-side.org.uk/

Commission Details 

The commission offers the opportunity for an artist to respond to research about the Church Ope area gathered by the community research team. The work can be in any media and should aim to create a focal attraction for the museum and passing visitors going to Church Ope Cove - increasing visitor numbers, not just from the local community, but to widen the museum’s appeal for tourists as a whole.  

The commissioned work is expected to be temporary - based at the museum over the nine day period of the b-side festival in September 2020 with a continuation until the museum closes for the winter at the end of October - but will include some form of legacy such as the design of a souvenir product or publication to be sold in the Museum shop. There is a possibility that the work, or a further development of it, could become a permanent feature of the museum and this will be negotiated with the artist at a later date. 

Fee: £4000 to include artist fee and all costs including materials, production, installation and de-installation of work. 

Expenses: An additional allowance of up to £950 is available for travel and accommodation to cover research including initial research days in October/November, installation/de-installation of work and attendance for 4 days during the festival.  

Deadline for applications: Midnight Sunday 1 September 2019. 

Additional Information 

www.b-side.org.uk