[shared on behalf of Flitwick Town Council - more details to be announced soon]

 

1. Summary

Flitwick Town Council seek to appoint an artist or Creative practice to support a public art project in the Town. The Creative will work with the community to develop an installation at Hinksley Park, developing the learning zone at the Tiny Forest and expanding the opportunity for formal and informal play. The Creative will develop a site specific ‘musical park’ with freestanding musical instruments. The instruments must be durable, and a maintenance schedule should be provided as part of the commission. The Creative will install the equipment at site, or provide a contractor to install the equipment. The Creative will run a series of workshops at the site with local schools and community groups.

 

2. Background

Flitwick has been awarded Public Arts Funding through Section 106 agreements considering, new building developments around town. Using the definition of Public Art as set out in the strategy (National Planning Policy Framework), Public Art should: “Take Account of and support local strategies to improve health, social and cultural wellbeing for all, and deliver sufficient community and cultural facilities and services to meet local needs". Flitwick Town Council has a Public Arts Strategy which will inform decision-making for this brief.

The following will be considered for any commissions:

• Enrich Flitwick’s identity.

• Create a sense of place for both residents and visitors to Flitwick.

• Develop the physical environment by adding interest, quality and distinctiveness.

• Provide a source of pride among the community.

• Add to the enjoyment and interest of local people and visitors.

• Make existing public spaces more comfortable, relaxing, meaningful and attractive to meet in

• Integrate new developments into the existing townscape, creating bonds within the area and developing a sense of belonging

• Celebrate our local community’s creativity, and empower the evolution of this existing Creative community

• Get the local community involved in art, helping to stimulate debate, ignite passion and discussion and generate excitement.

• Contribute to individual personal development, imagination and vision, enabling personal development and encouraging well-being, aspirations and equality.

 

3. Art Project Aim

Aim: To create a space where families, children and young people can experiment with music and sounds, stimulating their creativity and have fun by: • Creating learning opportunities for the community • Providing schools with a space to enhance learning • Working in partnership with the community, public and private sectors • Creating work of high quality: work which is durable and easy to maintain and which. integrates with the functional requirements of the immediate area.

 

4. Sharing and Evaluation

The Creative will meet with the Working Group with designs for the project and workshops. During the project the Creative will liaise with the Community Services Officer. The Creative will produce a timetable and costed plan for the project. The Creative should allow for a 10% contingency in the project. The Creative will provide a Risk Assessment; Insurance documentation and Guarantees required by Flitwick Town Council. If subcontracting any part of the project the Creative will be responsible for providing all Risk Assessments and insurance from the subcontractor and will be responsible for the budget for the sub contractor and will be responsible for any expenditure.

 

5. Selection Process

Flitwick Town Council is inviting applications from Artists and Creative practices with a track record of engaging communities, supplying equipment and running workshops in music installations. It is also essential that the Commission is delivered in the agreed time frame on time, in budget and of the highest quality. All submissions will be evaluated and we may choose to invite shortlisted candidates for a clarification interview.

 

6. Insurance

Own Public Liability insurance necessary. A DBS check may be required and the selected Creative will need to be happy with this process.

 

7. Submitting a Proposal

The following documents should be sent via email to communityservices@flitwick.gov.uk by the closing date: a) An up-to-date CV demonstrating your experience and skills of staff, contractors to deliver this brief. b) A statement and initial proposal which outlines your approach to deliver this brief. This should be no longer than two A4 pages. Please include 3 examples of previous projects with outline details for each. c) Budget Breakdown – include anticipated number of days for research, delivery, installation, workshops. Ongoing maintenance of equipment. d) Contact details (email and telephone) for 2 Referees: these should be from recent clients (contact will be made for shortlisted applicants). Please note that failure to provide the required information requested may lead to your application being rejected.

 

8. Contact

If you would like to discuss the Brief further, please contact Sue Quinn at communityservices@flitwick.gov.uk.

 

9. Hinksley Park – the project will be developed to the right of the fence. The area will be mulched as in the picture.