We are seeking expressions of interest from artists/ organisations to deliver the first part of a neighbourhood Public Art Plan. Blackpool Council and Blackpool Coastal Housing are working with housing regeneration specialists Lovell to comprehensively redevelop the Queens Park Estate.

The focus of the Public Art programme is the major environmental improvement work on the Layton Recreation Ground, land adjacent to Queens Park redevelopment. The selected artists will deliver projects and a programme of activity that directly feeds into the transformation of the area and gives residents the opportunity to be involved through creative and social actions. 

The brief has been divided into two main strands of work; one is more concept-based and could be driven through the delivery of a small trans disciplinary project or programme of events. The aim of this strand is to generate activity, connect neighbourhoods and find new ways of working collaboratively with local people. The second strand will directly contribute to the Layton Recreation Ground improvement scheme. It will combine opportunities for developing concepts, designing and making small elements of decorative, distinctive features to be integrated into the physical structure of the scheme.  

What we are looking for:

The successful applicant(s)  will be self employed and will be able to provide Blackpool Council with a UTR number. Successful applicant(s) must also provide proof of public liability cover of £5m.

Deadline for applications of interest: Thursday 13 October, 12 noon

Brief

Introduction

We are seeking socially motivated artists with collaborative practice for a programme of work in the Queens Park area of Blackpool. There are two opportunities for artists or artist team to deliver community-hosted creative engagement and place making activities within a residential area undergoing redevelopment. This is the first stage of The Queens Park Public Art Plan, which will be followed by a second open call and larger commission for public art.

We are seeking more than one artist in order to generate an exciting and diverse programme and to deliver two strands of work. The commission may be awarded to a lead artist who will bring additional artists to the project once the approach is agreed. We are looking for artists with a mix of skills, experience and motivations including practical making, craft skills, design development, creative consultation and experience working collaboratively with general public and urban design professionals.

The focus of the programme is the major environmental improvement work on the Layton Recreation Ground, land adjacent to Queens Park redevelopment. The selected artists will deliver projects and a programme of work that directly feeds into the transformation of the area and gives residents the opportunity to be involved through creative actions. The process should include meaningful co-production of work which aims to integrate creativity into ordinary life. The brief has been divided into two main strands of work, one is more concept-based and could be driven through the delivery of a small trans disciplinary project or programme of events. The aim of this strand is to generate activity, connect neighbourhoods and find new ways of working collaboratively with local people. This activity will run over winter and into spring and we will consider proposals across any mediums. We hope through this work to generate local interest and contributions into what public art should be for the site. This will be fed directly into the brief for the commission of a permanent work and build ownership and stewardship for the green space.

The second strand will directly contribute to the Layton Recreation Ground improvement scheme. It will combine opportunities for developing concepts, designing and making small elements of decorative, distinctive features to be integrated into the physical structure of the scheme. This will be developed through research, creative community engagement and making workshops. This is an exciting opportunity to create something innovative and distinct which will be embedded into the public realm. Potential areas for creative input have been identified, including but not limited to: Designs for decorative floor feature and detailing on entrances. We are looking for proposals that bring elements of interest in to the site, with the potential of generating action and learning to the audience.

Background

Blackpool Council and Blackpool Coastal Housing are working with housing regeneration specialists Lovell to comprehensively redevelop the Queens Park Estate. Built in the 1960’s it was made up of high rise blocks and lower rise maisonettes. The redevelopment of Queens Park will see the total transformation of the Queens Park area of Blackpool. In total, the plans have seen the demolition of 495 existing flats on the estate, to be replaced by 191 new homes for rent through Blackpool Coastal Housing. Currently 92 properties are already occupied with phase two, comprising of a further 99 homes, underway.

Queens Park residents were involved in the initial design and planning of the new estate and in establishing a Vision and Objectives for the redevelopment.  Included in the masterplan is the adjacent public open space, Layton Recreation Ground that will be transformed through improvements that promote and facilitate greater use of the space, and integrate the surrounding new and existing communities. As part of the redevelopment are substantial improvements to the Recreation Ground to transform an underused open space into a valued community green space. As part of this improvement scheme is funds allocated towards public art works which will be sited in the recreation ground. The brief will be developed during the first stage of the public art plan (community creative programme) and be advertised in early 2017. The masterplan for the rec has been produced by TEP and was used for a public consultation event in September. A copy of the proposed masterplan can be found below.

Programme Details

This is the first stage of the Public Art Plan, the Community Creative programme will commission artists to work on two main strands. We are looking for proposals that embrace the notion of collaboration and that will generate unique expressions that reflect the ambitions of and positive transformation the area is undergoing.

1. A community creative project connecting neighbourhoods, place making and consultation.
2. A focused programme of work to co-design, make and produce decorative elements for the Layton Recreation Ground Improvement Scheme.

1. Community Creative project

We hope this will act as a catalyst and enable communities to connect through positive shared experiences, join neighbourhoods and dispel old perceptions of ‘Layton Flats’ negative reputation. This element of the community creative programme aims to connect new and existing residents, join neighbourhoods through sharing meaningful activity.

Through this introductory project we hope to connect with and reach a wide group of people, through a focused creative project, events or programme the artist will conduct meaningful consultation and dialogue which generates interest and involvement in the Layton Recreation Ground, promotes health and wellbeing, develops concepts and community input on the public art brief.

2. Design development and making things.

The artist will work collaboratively with the Layton Recreation Improvement Scheme landscape architect and local residents to develop creative elements, decorative inputs and features of interest for the scheme. This will include developing designs, with the use of modern and traditional craft based processes, with ability for community involvement, developing a process of production that makes innovative, durable, robust design features that can be installed into elements of the Recreation Ground design scheme.

The programme aims to contribute to and act as a place making and community building tool at a neighbourhood level. Resident engagement through process, making and design will co-produce small creative elements to be inserted into the Recreation Ground improvement scheme. This will be achieved through creative engagement work directed towards tangible outputs or products. As a starting point please see opportunities identified below.

• To run creative community activity developing designs/small scale surface decoration to be installed into the infrastructure of the recreation ground ie: mosaic work, embossing metal or concrete, designs for metal cut out or ornamental, etched metal work. With the view that small works would be inserted into entrance features and wayfinding markers within the recreation ground. Working with the landscape architects scheme to develop small features with local communities that contribute to creating distinctive gateways.

Delivery and Budget

Commission 1:

Community engagement, Place making activity, Consultation, Creative cultural intervention.

• 4 days Planning/research/development
• 4 days Direct Delivery, practical making/community consultation sessions (spread over a mix of half and full days)
• 3 days fabrication/ post production/ evaluation

The number of production days/PRD days can be negotiated and adjusted if during the project it becomes apparent that more time needs to be spent on PRD than production or vice versa.

Artist Fee including planning, prep, consultation, design, expenses: £2700

Commission 2:

Layton Recreation community creative and design collaboration/ Creating and Making

• 5 days Planning/research/development
• 5 days direct delivery practical making/community consultation sessions (spread over a mix of half and full days)       
• 3 days fabrication/ production/ evaluation

The number of production days/PRD days can be negotiated and adjusted if during the project it becomes apparent that more time needs to be spent on PRD than production or vice versa.

Artist Fee including planning, prep, consultation, design, expenses: £3200

Blackpool Council’s Arts Service will be managing the project on a day to day basis working with the Layton Recreation Improvement Scheme Steering Group including partners:

• Blackpool Borough Council
• Blackpool Coastal Housing
• Lovell Developers
• TEP (Environmental consultants)

Meaningful engagement with local communities is an essential part of the project. The Creative Design and Health Living Officer will identify, initiate, plan and facilitate opportunities for the public engagement programme with the artists. The Layton Recreation Improvement Plan aims to develop community stewardship for the natural green space and generate a ‘Friends of Layton Recreation Group’. A programme in addition to the community creative work will include educational talks, environmental, sustainability, horticulture, healthy eating, cooking, social enterprise. With planned trips to visits inspiring gardens, community managed parks and projects, nature reserves.

Timescale

Deadline for applications is 12 noon 13 October.

Interviews week beg. 31 October.

The schedule for the programme of work is flexible within the main timeframe of November 2016- End Feb 2017.  The time table of work will be arranged between Public Art project manager and selected artist/s. As part of this project some evening and weekend work will be necessary. 

How To Apply

We are inviting expressions of interest from artists or artist groups with a proven track record of high quality commissions and experience of working with diverse and hard-to-engage groups.

Please send your applications by 12 noon 13 October through CuratorSpace.

Selection and interview process

Selection of shortlisted artists will be done by the Queens Park Public Art Steering Group made up of stakeholders including a member of the local community. From this call out we anticipate inviting 4 artists to  interview. Skype interviews can be arranged.

The successful applicant(s)  will be self employed and will be able to provide Blackpool Council with a UTR number. Successful applicant(s) must also provide proof of public liability cover of £5m. 

If you have further questions please contact Pippa via e-mail or Tel: 01253 476528

The budget for this programme of work is allocated from the Public Art fund from the Queens Park Redevelopment. https://queensparkredevelopment.co.uk/