OPEN CALL: New Digital Artwork Commission

Introduction:

The Kent Medway National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) Partnership is seeking to commission a new digital artwork to be accessioned as a permanent artefact within their collections. This ambitious new commission will respond to the NPO partners’ museums and their contents as well as address broader themes of collecting and exhibiting physical and digital artworks within a museum context. There is a project budget of £15,000 (inclusive of VAT) to cover fee, production and display. The deadline for submissions is: 5pm on 7 February 2019   

The Commission:

The Kent Medway NPO Partnership is a consortium of four museums (The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Canterbury Museums & Galleries, Guildhall Museum Rochester and Tunbridge Wells Museum & Gallery) funded by Arts Council England (ACE) as a National Portfolio Organisation to work together to deliver excellence in the use of collections and to inspire learning, creativity and wellbeing to existing and new audiences in their communities.

This commission will draw inspiration from the NPO partners’ museums and collections to create a new digital artwork to be displayed permanently within their galleries. It should explore narratives relevant to the act of commissioning new digital art itself as well as address related questions prevalent within the museum sector regarding the collection, display and preservation of both digital and physical artefacts. Through the creation and accession of this digital artefact, the NPO partners aim to examine, open-up and be part of current museological discussions and developments concerning the collecting and sharing of non-physical exhibits and artworks. 

The commission should primarily centre on the collections of Tunbridge Wells though the successful applicant could spend time with thematically similar artefacts and collections at each of the partner museums. Any area or period of the partners’ collections can be drawn upon though a cohesive underlining theme should be established within the commission. There is also an opportunity to provide a new perspective on the artefacts and collections of the partner museums and a means of bringing together an incredible array of artworks and artefacts that tell shared stories of the history of Kent and Medway.

The commissioned digital exhibit will exist predominantly within the digital realm though must also have a presence within the NPO partners’ museums and galleries. We are therefore open to suggestions regarding the exact format and method in which this work will be delivered and displayed. Be it screen based, immersive or interactive, it must engage and inspire the NPO partners’ broad range of visitors within, and outside of, the confines of the museum walls.

Expectations and Practical Considerations:

• The work must be accessible digitally/online as well as have a presence within the partner museums and galleries
• The commission should primarily centre on the collections of Tunbridge Wells  
• The chosen format of this work should address the implications and challenges of being a permanent exhibit within a museum collection
• Access to the museum collections not on public display or currently inaccessible must be arranged through prior liaison with the NPO Cultural Project Manager. Please note, some of the partner museums may not be currently accessible to the general public - do check before planning a visit.
• The artist will fully document and promote the development and creation of the work and participate in talks, online events, blog/vlog, social media, private views and press activities 

Budget and payment:

This commission is for the value of £15,000 (inclusive of VAT). This amount is to cover: artists’ fees; research, development and expenses; all digital and physical production costs, services, hardware and software; transport and installation.

Payment will be made in 4 equal instalments:

i) on the award of the commission

ii) developed design

iii) production

iv) delivery of the work

Selection Criteria:

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to present to the Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery ‘Art Commission Selection Panel’ comprising artists, curators, museum specialists and members of the local community. The panel will score proposals in regards to:

• Relevance to the brief and alignment to key NPO and ACE strategic goals (NPO, ACE)
• Well-conceived proposals with a clear defined message
• Quality, feasibility and value for money
• Accessible, inclusive design
• Evidence of relevant skill and experience
• Durability and consideration in regards to being a permanent exhibit. The artwork should be designed with the intention to last a minimum of 20 years.  

Making an Application:

We strongly recommend familiarising yourself with the NPO collections online, via the links provided, or arranging a site visit(s) to one or more of the NPO partner museums prior to making a proposal.

Please include the following in your application:

1. An expression of interest which includes:

a) Contact details including any relevant website address

b) Artist statement, bio or CV (maximum 2 pages A4)

c) Up to 4 images and brief descriptions (up to 150 words) of recent and related work

2) Artists proposal for work that meets the remit of the commission (up to 500 words) and 6 accompanying images

3) Draft budget including breakdown of fee, research, production, installation and expenses costs

Applications should be submitted as a single pdf by 5pm on 7 February 2019. 

Timeline:

• Deadline for submissions: 5pm 7 February 2019
• Proposal shortlist: 8 February 2019
• Proposal presentation to panel: 20 February 2019
• Appointment of successful applicant: 22 February 2019
• Developed design: 30 April - 31 May 2019
• Production: 28 June - 17 July 2019
• Delivery of the work: 22 July 2019

Ownership, Copyright and Intellectual Property:

Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery shall own the work in its entirety including Intellectual Property Rights and all digital and physical assets comprising the work. Moral Rights (Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988) remain vested in the artist.

Contact:

If you have any questions about the proposal or would like to arrange a site visit please contact NPO Cultural Project Manager, Luke Currall: Luke.Currall@TunbridgeWells.gov.uk

Additional Information:

Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery houses 60,000 objects and shares the special story of the Borough through fantastic collections of local history, natural history, Tunbridge ware, costume & textiles, toys and games, photography, folk art, fine art and more. The story of Kent’s spa town is featured throughout the collection, highlighting stories from the decadence of the manor house to the Spartan lifestyle of the humble hop-picker. With support from Heritage Lottery Fund, Arts Council England, Kent County Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, the museum, library, art gallery and adjacent Adult Education Centre are currently closed to be redeveloped into a new cultural and learning hub set to open in 2021.

http://www.tunbridgewellsmuseum.org/

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/TWMuseum/

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is the most complete Dockyard of the Age of Sail in the world. Set in an impressive 80 acre complex, it is one Britain’s leading maritime heritage attractions with three historic warships, a working Victorian ropery, historic lifeboat collection, dockyard railway, interactive galleries, Hearts of Oak digital theatre and magnificent collections from two national museums. It offers unrivalled opportunities to explore ships that helped shape the world and the stories of the people who built them.

http://thedockyard.co.uk/

The Rochester Guildhall, built in 1687, is one of the finest civic buildings in Kent, and home to the Guildhall Museum. Founded in honour of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, the museum tells the story of Medway through lively, interactive displays of its wide-ranging collections. Highlights include magnificent plaster ceilings, newly restored and re-gilded weathervane in the form of a fully rigged 18th century warship, a full-size reconstruction of part of a Medway prison hulk, the Dickens Discovery Room and the Rochester “Riverside Eye” camera interactive.

https://www.visitmedway.org/attractions/rochester-guildhall-museum-2132/

Canterbury Museums & Galleries is home to The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge and Canterbury Roman Museum. Their unique collections cover a broad spectrum of material encompassing: art, archaeology and world collections brought to Canterbury by intrepid explorers and collectors; the natural world; the rich heritage of Canterbury and the social history of East Kent. With learning at the heart of what they do, their collection-led activities are designed to stimulate curiosity, imagination and creativity.

https://canterburymuseums.co.uk/

100 Objects That Made Kent: https://100objectskent.co.uk/