Artists Commission: Major New Art Work for Cragg Quarry, Rossendale, Lancashire
Deadline: March 26, 2012, 12:00 pm
Artists Commission: Major New Art Work for Cragg Quarry, Rossendale, Lancashire
The Adrenalin Gateway project is seeking to develop Rossendale as the première destination for mountain biking in the North West of England. So far a successful network of mountain bike trails has been constructed in Lee and Cragg Quarries. These mountain bike trails have developed a national reputation and are attracting riders to the area from all over the UK.
Two years ago as part of the Valley of Stone Project three sculptures by the Artist Robin Dobson were installed in Lee Quarry. These have been very successful and have become well recognised and useful landmarks. They are frequently photographed and images of them have become strongly associated with the area. In addition to this the area is very close to the Irwell Sculpture Trail and the Lee Quarry sculptures are often included in literature about the trail and included in the trail's offer.
We seek to build on this growing reputation of Rossendale as a place for public art by commissioning a new sculpture for Cragg Quarry.
Cragg Quarry is a large site with many dramatic landscaped features. A lot of archaeology, history and geology remain in the area and it is a Biological Heritage site. To the south it is bounded by Scout Moor Wind farm and to the north the land falls away steeply down to the valley bottom. Cragg Quarry is a very exposed site and weather conditions up there are harsh and we wish to commission a piece of art work which will provide some shelter from the elements for walkers, cyclists and horse riders using the site or travelling through. In addition to the mountain bike trails which run in a figure of eight through the quarry the Mary Towneley Loop also runs through it. This is a section of the Pennine Bridleway which is a National Trail. For more information on the site and a location map please visit http://www.pmba.org.uk/leeandcragg.htm
The Steering Group would like to commission a permanent piece of public art, to be installed at Cragg Quarry, Rossendale. This will be a large scale, iconic sculptural piece in a prominent position (position to be agreed in consultation with the steering group) which provides travellers through the site with some shelter from the elements as well as providing a destination and reference point for people.
The design will need to:
- Be relatively maintenance free
- Keep within the budget constraints
- Inform and/or respond to the environment
- Show thought given to issues of suitability
- Create impact and interest within an extensive site
The design is likely to:
- Reflect the history / geology / biological interest of the quarry environment.
- Act as a focus and compliment other improvement works.
- Contribute to increasing the profile of the Adrenalin Gateway project.
The commissioned artist will be expected to:
- Produce initial design ideas.
- Produce a budget inclusive of workshop and design fees, materials, fabrication, installation, transport costs and maintenance costs.
- Engage with local users and community through consultation and workshops.
- Liaise with the Steering Group.
The artist will need to have:
- Experience of working to a budget.
- Experience of working to deadlines.
- Experience of working within the realm of public art.
A budget of about £40,000 will be available to cover workshops & consultation, design fees, materials, fabrication and installation of the art work. (A contingency amount within this budget is recommended.) Please note at this stage only 50% of this budget has been secured. The remaining 50% will be raised through a two stage funding bid the first stage of which has been successfully completed. The second stage of the bid requires the submission of more detailed costing and information as to what the sculpture will look like.
Selection Process: expressions of interest
Initially we would like artists to send:
- A letter expressing interest with contact details and availability.
- A brief outline proposal for the project.
- An up to date C.V.
- Up to 10 images of artist’s previous work. (If the images need to be returned please included a stamped addressed envelope)
From these expressions of interest the panel will select three Artists to work up detailed proposals. All applications will be acknowledged. For more information contact: [email protected].
Please send applications to marked clearly "Cragg Quarry Sculpture" to: Lancashire County Council Arts Development Unit, Park Hotel, East Cliff, Preston PR1 1RE.
Deadline for submission of interest: 12pm Monday 26th March 2012.
