Expression of Interest

Introduction

Central Bedfordshire Council are currently building a new Community and Leisure Centre on the Kingsland Campus in Houghton Regis which is being supported by almost £20m of Government Levelling Up Funding. The centre will include impressive swimming and gym facilities together with dedicated exercise studios, community space, a café and creche. The centre will be situated within landscaped grounds which includes a children’s play area.

 

The development of the new Houghton Regis Community and Leisure Centre (Kingsland Leisure Centre) includes a planning condition relating to public art “in order to provide a high-quality development, in accordance with Policy HQ1 of the adopted Local Plan and the NPPF”. Prior to the initial occupation of the new centre, a Public Art Plan must be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) has also been considering its strategic approach to the provision of arts and cultural services and is looking to deliver and embed a sustainable, high-quality arts and cultural offer through its services and facilities.

 

In order to both meet the planning condition and support CBC’s wider cultural ambitions and outcomes we are seeking an experienced and qualified artist to design and install decorative fencing to the play area on the main plaza space close to the entrance to the centre. The fencing is to act as an exciting focal point within the public realm, celebrating the sporting activities available within the new facility and wider site to enhance the sense of place.

 

 

Scope of the Project

Central Bedfordshire Council is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced Artist with proven experience in working on site specific, permanent ‘land art’ based public art commissions within the public realm.

 

This public art commission offers an exciting opportunity to design, develop and deliver permanent public artwork within a key area of the landscape masterplan, not only serving as an intervention but also with a focus on robustness serving as a safety measure to the play area.

 

The artwork must be suitable for outdoors within a public open space, robust, accessible and safe, and requiring minimum maintenance. The artwork must look attractive from both inside and outside the play area. It can also provide opportunities for interactive play if appropriate.

 

 

If you could respond with any interest by midnight on Monday 31st July 2023 confirming whether you are interested in providing a design.

 

 

If you have any questions at this stage of the process, then please contact the below email with your question. Please note that information given will be limited to the full specification given.

 

If you are interested and for more information, the full specification please contact Samantha.Murphy2@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk