Oxford and Cherwell Valley College: Expressions of Interest
Deadline: April 25, 2013
Oxford and Cherwell Valley College (OCVC)
Artists Brief For Expression of Interest
The Banbury campus of Oxford and Cherwell Valley College is undergoing a major redevelopment. The campus currently sits on both sides of Broughton Road, but we have an ambitious long-term plan to relocate the entire campus to the south side of the road.
The first phase was completed when they opened the Centre for Creative Arts in September 2011 which is an attractive, open plan and energy-efficient building with new atria space that is intended to inspire their arts students.
New centres for motor vehicle industry and media form the next stage of the Banbury development. It is hoped that staff and students will be able to move in before the end of 2013.
The media centre will be on three levels. To fit the site topography and provide dark room facilities, the lower level will be built into the hillside at the back of the new Centre for Creative Arts building.
The motor vehicle industry centre will be a single-storey, purpose-built facility.
Both new buildings will have eco-technologies for their lighting, heating and cooling systems.
As part of this exciting development OCVC are working closely with Cherwell District Council to create a unique work of art for the college and encourage fine art and media studies students to explore art and design in the public realm.
The opportunity
OCVC are looking for an experienced public art specialist/artist to work with them to:
- Develop an inspiring work of artwork that helps link the 2 new buildings (currently proposed as an open walk way) either functionally or decoratively
- Work in residence and work closely with the fine art and media students to share skills in public art and creative approaches to the public realm with a view to some pieces of students work being exhibited in June 2014.
There are four large concrete plinths at the front entrance to the main building. OCVC would like this project to encourage students to exhibit temporary work on these platforms as part of their interaction with the artist.
This will be an opportunity for the chosen artist to work in residence at the college as well as contribute to the early development of artists as they begin to think about their practice and begin to understand the role of the artist in society.
The college are happy to consider work made from any structural media and would like the artist to think about how students and public using the site might interact with the piece. This is an external work and there is the potential to light it separately and differently from the buildings at night.
This is a significant public art opportunity and the college are keen to explore new ways of working and for their students to get benefit from extended contact with a public artist.
Here follows an indicative timetable (later details are to be discussed with the chosen artist):
Circulate and advertise brief March/April 2013
Closing Date 19th April 2013
Shortlisting 22nd April 2013
Artists to arrange site visit and prepare specific idea for the space
Interviews /selection 10th May 2013
Masterclass with students on design phase June 2013 (date tbc)
Further research and refinement of the design June July
Artist to present costed design for final approval Late July
Creation of artwork August - October
Installation November
Unveiling Dec / Jan 2014 to be confirmed between College and Artist
Work with students Spring term 2014
Students exhibition June 2014
The budget
Will cover all project costs including research and design fees, artist travel, teaching time, material costs to make the work, and third party contractors’ fees, transport, installation of work and material costs for students’ temporary work. It is anticipated that this will be in the region of £70,000.
The selection process
This opportunity is being advertised locally and nationally for interested artists to submit an Expression of Interest in working with OCVC.
To be considered for this opportunity:
- Public liability and professional indemnity insurance of at least £5m
- Experience of at least 4 large scale public art projects
- Proven track record of working with the community and/or students and appropriate CRB checks
The chosen artist will have:
- Experience of working across a broad range of artforms and materials
- Previously produced artworks of a functional nature or artwork that has an integral relationship with the architecture
- Be inspired by media and new technologies
The Expression of interest in the project should include:
- Examples of at least 4 previous projects you have work on
- An artistic statement in response to the brief and your interest in the project
- An indication of your ability to deliver this project within the indicated budget and timescale
- The name and contact details of a previous commissioner should also be supplied.
Artists will be selected based on:
- Quality of work
- Experience of similar projects
- Ability to work with all interested parties (Students, architects and college staff)
- Style of work in keeping with the context
Expressions of interest should be submitted electronically to Nicola Riley by 25th April 2013.
Nicola Riley, Arts Manager, Cherwell District Council, Bodicote House, Bodicote, Banbury OX16 4AA
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01295 221724