Leeds Central Library Creative Commission

Deadline: 19/08/2018

Venue: Leeds Central Library  |  City: Leeds  |  Region: West Yorkshire  |  Country: United Kingdom  |  claire duffield

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Commission to develop a self-led cultural experience exploring the heritage of Leeds Central Library through creative engagement activities.

Following a successful bid to Arts Council England for a National Lottery Project Grant, Leeds Libraries are seeking to work with an artist/collective on an exciting interactive project to explore the heritage and collections of Leeds Central Library.

The aim of the project is to work with the staff team and across the departments and collections of the Central Library to develop an accessible self-led activity for people to engage with during their visit to the library. The resulting product should be fun and engaging and particularly suitable for families. It should be functional but with the capacity to excite curiosity and enrich experiences of Central Library. The outcome will be a reflection on the building and communities that use it.

We are looking for an artist/collective or organisation to engage with, and be inspired by, the heritage of Central Library and its collections. This commission is to research and develop a creative output that will connect the distinct aspects of the library offer together through multiple levels of engagement. This project offers the chance for the selected artist/s to develop a sustained relationship with the building, its collections, the people who work within it and the people who visit.

This piece of work is particularly suited to innovators/collaborators who are excited and intrigued by the uniqueness of a cultural offer of a heritage library building, and who can work with us to deliver something suitable for families and accessible for all ages and abilities.

We are open to the format – it could take several forms - including soundscapes, VR experiences, connected to an app or be an immersive experience. We also require a complementary lo-fi version available to widen the reach. It should be interactive, fun and quirky but it must retain relevancy and be useable for the foreseeable future – to at least 2023. There are currently no upkeep or replacements costs for associated tech budgeted for the longer term hosting of content. It must utilise all branding and design for the Library Cultural offer and be sympathetic to the heritage aspect of the building.

Timescales

  • Artist Open Session on Wednesday 8th August 2018 2pm Leeds Central Library Foyer. An informal opportunity to see some of the collections and the building. Please be aware, interested artists are welcome to access the library during any public opening hours.
  • Proposals to be submitted by 5pm Sunday 19th August 2018. We may invite shortlisted artists for a chat on 22nd August am please state availability on your proposal.
  • Project initiation meeting on Tuesday 11th September.


Research and exploration to be carried out September and October 2018, including a largescale consultation/engagement activity with the public on Light Night (4th/5th October 5 - 10pm). Further consultation to be carried out at agreed times.

Ideation/creation/live testing of proto-type/staff engagement workshops and further research (November 2018 - Jan 2019)

Final work to be completed by February 2019 to be launched during half-term family activities.

What?

We invite proposals from a wide range of art forms and artists, and particularly welcome applications from artists in the field of digital art sound and illustration. Successful applicants will be supported by staff at Central Library and provided with access to materials, all areas of the building and information on its heritage (architect plans, previous uses for the building).

Proposals should be inspired and influenced by the commission being for a public library and must involve consultation and practical exploration with the public – particularly ensuring it is suitable for those with access or additional needs. We are particularly interested in artists using different digital platforms to engage audiences to widen the reach of the work beyond just the physical space of Leeds Central Library. It is essential that the selected artist has experience of consultation events, and a proven track record of project delivery of this scale.

Preference will be given to Leeds/West Yorkshire-based artists.

Where?

Leeds Central Library – working across the staff teams, departments and collections.

Budget?

£5000 inclusive of all materials, meetings with Library staff, public consultation activity, production of any work and related printing costs. Access to the resources within Studio12 will be made available.  Travel costs and other subsidies will not be covered by this commission

Deadline: Sunday 19th August


Essential criteria:

  • A detailed proposal of 1000 words describing your idea/approach, including your existing knowledge and perception of Leeds Central Library.
  • Ability to demonstrate your relevant experience of similar scale commissions including working with diverse community audiences. Able to demonstrate bringing people together through consultation and workshop activity.
  • A detailed budget breakdown
  • Up to 4 images of previous work
  • An up-to-date CV with two references


The commission will be paid in three instalments: an initial fee for research and consultation activity, a second fee for the development of the work and a final fee will be paid on receipt of the required evaluation.

Proposals that do not meet the essential criteria will not be considered. We offer feedback on shortlisted proposals.

 

Contact the curator
Who is eligible for this opportunity?
We are particularly interested in artists working in combined art forms, digital and mixed media, sound, film and illustration. Artist collectives are also encouraged to apply, but there is only one fixed fee available.
When is the deadline?
Sunday 19th August 5pm. Proposals received after this time will not be considered. We may invite shortlisted artists for a chat on 22nd August a.m. please state availability on your proposal. You must be available and willing to work for some or all of Light Night (5th October 2018 5-10p.m. and potentially 4th October 2018)
How many works can I submit?
One proposal per artist or collective
When is the delivery date?
Project initiation meeting Tuesday September 11th.
Research and exploration to be carried out September and October 2018, including a largescale consultation/engagement activity with the public on Light Night (4th/5th October 5-10pm). Further consultation to be carried out at agreed times.
Ideation/creation/live testing of proto-type/staff engagement workshops and further research (November’18-Jan’19)
Final work to be completed by February 2019 to be launched during half-term family activities.
Evaluation/next steps meeting mid-February 2019.
Are there payments to artists?
There is a fixed fee of £5000 inclusive of all materials, meetings with Library staff, public consultation activity, production of any work and related printing costs. Travel costs and other subsidies will not be covered by this commission.
Does the location have disabled access?
Yes, the building has disabled access
How do you decide on proposals?
A team of Library Staff will shortlist proposals. Selected artists may be invited for a face to face conversation
What kind of proposals are you looking for?
We invite proposals from a wide range of art forms and artists, but in particular we are interested in receiving applications from artists in the field of digital art, sound and illustration. Successful applicants will be supported by staff at Central Library and provided with access to materials, all areas of the building and information on its heritage (architect plans, previous uses for the building). Proposals should be inspired and influenced by the commission being for a public library and must involve consultation and practical exploration with the public – particularly ensuring it is suitable for those with access or additional needs. We are particularly interested in artists using different digital platforms to engage audiences to widen the reach of the work beyond just the physical space of Leeds Central Library. It is essential that the selected artist has experience of large consultation events, and a proven track record of project delivery of this scale.
The artist/s must deliver at least 4 engagement sessions with library staff and spend time in each department.
Postcode data and evaluation must be captured through all public-facing consultation activity.
Preference will be given to Leeds/West Yorkshire-based artists.

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