Artists Mark the Legacy of Bosworth 1485 Art Commissions Project Brief January 2017 Summary Leicester Shire Promotions Ltd (LPL) wishes to commission a series of public artworks to mark the legacy of the events of Bosworth 1485 and their subsequent history into present times. The proposal is to commission permanent pieces sited in the communities involved. The commissions will be undertaken by an artist or artists working to the brief set out in this document. LPL seeks to establish a series of connected artworks fittingly set on agreed sites to be accessible by the general public, residents and visitors to the site. At this stage, artists are invited to submit an expression of interest in the commission, based on the information provided and their own research. Selected artists will be commissioned to prepare full proposals, maquettes etc. These will be paid commissions for which a budget has been allocated. This first stage of the project has been funded by an Arts Council award. The final commission will depend upon the success of the planned fundraising campaign, as outlined in the brief. Expressions of interest should include an artist s CV, a portfolio of relevant previous work, a statement explaining their interest in this commission and an indication of their initial response to the opportunity. Full information, including the full artists brief, maps and images of the locations and links to historical sites can be found at http://www.goleicestershire.com/expressions-of-interest.aspx Submitting an expression of interest Submissions should arrive no later than 17 February 2017. Portfolios can be submitted digitally via Dropbox or a similar file transfer service to the project manager: Fred Brookes Creative Leicestershire E: fred.brookes@leics.gov.uk T: 0786 653 2077
Artists Mark the Legacy of Bosworth 1485 Art Commission Project Brief January 2017 Contents 1. Introduction... 2 1.1. Background... 2 1.2. Three phases... 2 1.3. Stories and histories... 2 1.4. Locations... 3 2. Aims and objectives... 4 3. Conditions... 5 4. Artist s Role... 5 5. Participation and Consultation... 6 6. Artist Selection Process... 6 6.1. Step One... 6 6.2. Step Two... 7 7. Provisional timetable... 8 8. Insurance... 8 9. Copyrights... 8 10. Documentation... 8 11. Decommissioning... 9 12. Contacts... 9 Project Manager for this commission is: Fred Brookes Creative Leicestershire Leicestershire County Council Room 600 County Hall Glenfield LE3 8TE E: fred.brookes@leics.gov.uk T: 0786 653 2077 Portfolios can be submitted digitally using Dropbox or a similar file transfer service. Submissions should arrive not later than 17 February 2017. Artists Mark the Legacy of Bosworth 1485 commission brief January 2017 1
1. Introduction 1.1. Background The international success of the Re-interment of King Richard III in 2015 brought together the communities around the cortege which carried the King s remains from Bosworth to his reburial in Leicester. A wide range of cultural activity accompanied the events, attracting tens of thousands of people. The possibility has opened for an innovative art project to mark permanently the legacy of Bosworth 1485 in the places that were involved. A partnership including local communities seeks initial resources to develop how this aim can be achieved through the commissioning of artists and new artworks. The Partnership (formally speaking the Bosworth 1485 Legacy Sub-group) has been newly formed under the aegis of the Hinckley & Bosworth Tourism Partnership specifically to examine the potential for a permanent artistic marking of the Bosworth 1485 legacy. With Leicester Shire Promotions Ltd, the county tourism body, as lead applicant, the project has raised an award from Arts Council England to enable the first phase of research and development to take place. Creative Leicestershire, the county s development team for the creative industries, has been commissioned to manage the project. The places involved in the partnership of this project, are Dadlington (where men who fell in the battle are buried), Sutton Cheney (where the King prayed before the battle), Stoke Golding (where Henry Tudor was crowned Henry VII, the birth of the Tudor monarchy), Market Bosworth (the nearest village to the battle) and the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre. The Steering Committee includes representatives from these places, together with LPL, Hinckley & Bosworth BC, the Leicester Diocese and the Richard III Society. 1.2. Three phases The project will have three phases. Its purpose at this first stage of the project is to enable research and development work to be done, to explore in detail the potentials and options for how the aim of marking the legacy of Bosworth 1485 can be achieved through innovative art interventions, to set out a plan, to engage with artists and commission the preparation of proposals and their approval by the Steering Committee. The second phase will be the fundraising programme, and the third phase to conduct the artists commissions, installations and events will commence once the fundraising target is achieved. 1.3. Stories and histories There are many ways in which aspects of the stories may be told in art. It is not in the Steering Committee s view the purpose of this project to tell the history of the Battle of Bosworth, that is already extensively done elsewhere locally, particularly at the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre. Nor is it the purpose to recount the recent story of the discovery and re-interment of King Richard III s mortal remains, which is amply covered in the new Visitor Centre in Leicester, near the site of both burials. Rather this project seeks to find Artists Mark the Legacy of Bosworth 1485 commission brief January 2017 2
appropriate and sensitive ways of expressing something of the meaning of past and recent events in the communities involved. Preliminary thinking among the partners has included: Using artistic interventions to capture the sense of community, and include all the villages, hotels, restaurants etc. to maximise tourism opportunities; Create artworks in locations with connections to the story; The ambition of the project is that there is a permanent 365-day interactive trail; The project could establish an annual programme of days that we celebrate. In the course of consultation with people in the local communities, much history and folklore has been discussed. While international attention recently has focused on King Richard III, there were of course two kings that day, Henry Tudor was crowned at Stoke Golding after Richard lost his life in the battle. Local families were much affected by the events of 1485. A Harcourt raised the standard of Henry after it had fallen, influenced the outcome of the battle and was given land in reward, influencing ownership to this day. It is believed that the only time an English monarch has ever visited Market Bosworth was in March 2015, when the cortege touched down there, observed by 10,000 spectators. According to folklore, the battle itself was watched too, from the church towers of nearby villages, notably Stoke Golding. The churchyard at Dadlington is believed to contain the burials of soldiers from both sides of the conflict, which has suggested ideas of reconciliation, and of linking the missing of that time with those of more recent history. A memorial sundial has been created at the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, and a possible theme to link the elements of the trail is to create a further sequence of sundials, interpreting the local history. There is a good deal of history and lore, and some information and links to potentially useful sites are given at http://www.goleicestershire.com/expressions-of-interest-useful-links.aspx. Artists interested in the project are welcome to do their own research and to visit the locations in the pursuit of inspiration. It is the intention of the partners that there should be some physical manifestation of the artistic marking of the legacy of 1485 in each of the places involved. Nonetheless, the opportunity also exists alongside this to utilise the digital realm to enrich the artistic experience, perhaps by means of something which will link visitors at a physical location with an online artwork or information. 1.4. Locations The places involved in this project are Dadlington, Sutton Cheney, Stoke Golding, Market Bosworth and the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre. Final conclusions about exact locations and sites will be made as the project develops and artists proposals emerge. Images and general plans of the places involved are attached at the end of this brief. Artists Mark the Legacy of Bosworth 1485 commission brief January 2017 3
2. Aims and objectives 2.1 The project aims to: commission high quality works of art to mark the significance and meaning to the communities involved of relevant aspects of the history of the Battle and its aftermath, from 1485 to the present time; provide the opportunity for appreciation, contemplation and reflection for visitors; establish works of local significance and quality; In establishing this work the project seeks to achieve the following objectives: the works are produced to the highest artistic standards; the works are robust, durable and fully accessible; the works take full account of the architectural and landscape setting in the design process; the works contribute to the cultural assets of the locality and the county. 2.2 Artists are invited to consider the themes that emerge through discussions with the Steering Group, Creative Leicestershire and other partners. These may include, for example: the need to contemplate the consequences of war and conflict ways in which these works will support and encourage managed tourism aspects of the story, both historical or modern, which lend a specific local colour to the artwork. The works might embrace some or all of the following: sculptural works soft and hard landscape lighting seating utilisation of the available digital communications infrastructure the creation of new traditions of celebration or events Consideration needs to be given to access visual and physical to the sites and any detailed works needed. Prior to final selection artists will be encouraged to visit and investigate the sites. 2.3 A Steering Group will be responsible for overseeing the project, with LPL as the lead and Creative Leicestershire as the managing agency. Independent expert advice will be involved to advise on the final selection of artists for the commission. Artists Mark the Legacy of Bosworth 1485 commission brief January 2017 4
3. Conditions 3.1 Services Services such as electricity, water and drainage may be able to be provided to the proposed artwork site in some cases, but provision is dependent on the budget and project requirements. Detailed technical survey information on services and ground conditions will be provided to short-listed candidates. 3.2 Planning Requirements At present there are no planning considerations for this project, however, the proposals for the commissions are likely to be subject to planning controls. 3.4 Site Constraints and Future Maintenance Artworks must be designed to minimise future maintenance costs. Arrangements for the future maintenance of the artworks will need to be agreed for each individual case. Artists proposals are required to take due account of the needs for access to and from the location, roadways, the proximity, and limited availability, of car parking, and in particular the need to ensure that provision is made for disabled access to the artworks. 4. Artist s Role It is anticipated that the commissions will be undertaken by an artist or artists who may work with other design professionals. In the following texts the term artist should be taken to embrace all these possibilities. 4.1 Key Areas in the commission The artists selected for the commission will be expected to address the following requirements: The preparation of detailed drawings of the proposed work covering all aspects of the site layout, sculpture, treatment, hard and soft landscaping, any planting and materials; Presentation of the proposals and materials as required; Engagement with young people on the design development process and the completed work is desirable, not essential. This may be in the form of, for example, research workshops, design development workshops and exchanges, and final presentation materials or exhibition; The design, fabrication and installation of the work, working closely with Creative Leicestershire and local partners; Work closely with Creative Leicestershire to advise them of progress throughout the process, including attending meetings as needed; The preparation of a maintenance schedule for the artwork detailing annual requirements; Assist in the provision of promotional materials, images of work in progress and attendance at press briefing meetings; Artists Mark the Legacy of Bosworth 1485 commission brief January 2017 5
Cover all public liability insurances for the process of creating the artwork, and make provision for the work to be undertaken in the event of illness or other incapacity. It is assumed that the artist is self-employed and is responsible for tax and national insurance payments. The final decision and selection of the chosen artist will be made by the Steering Committee with independent expert advice. The selection process for this project will consist of two stages (as outlined in section 6, below, Artist selection process). 4.2 Groundworks, Civil works, Landscaping and Installation. It is expected that the artist will take on full responsibility for the design, fabrication and installation of the works to include all landscape and planting works. Any other works being undertaken on the respective sites will need to be assessed to avoid potential conflicts. 5. Participation and Consultation 5.1 LPL and the Steering Committee would be pleased to see the opportunity for young people to be engaged in this project, but this not an essential condition. Overall, LPL seeks to engage residents and communities and invite their responses to this work through its own website and blog, Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites Press interest in the project has already been identified through contact with the local press and media. It is expected that these will offer support to the plans and support community participation and consultation. LPL s Communications Team will manage the publicity on the project. 5.2 Stakeholder Consultation includes: Local consultation with communities ahead of preparation of the brief (which has already taken place); Public exhibition of proposals developed by selected artists; 5.3 Steering Group and Project Management Creative Leicestershire will manage the project on behalf of the Steering Group, and has appointed a Project Manager to supervise the process and ensure that the work is undertaken in line with the contracts. 6. Artist Selection Process The artist(s) will be selected through an Open Competition consisting of two steps. 6.1. Step One Artists are invited to express an interest in this scheme by submitting a statement explaining why they are interested in this particular commission, based on the information provided in the Artists Mark the Legacy of Bosworth 1485 commission brief January 2017 6
commissioning pack and their own research. Submissions should also include a CV, a portfolio of relevant previous work and an indication of their initial response to the opportunity. A shortlist will be drawn up from the submissions by a commissioning panel and a number of respondents will then be commissioned to develop more detailed proposals, following site visits. Selected artists will be commissioned to prepare detailed project proposals, for which a sum of money is available in the project budget. The criteria to be considered in this stage of the selection and which artists need to consider in their responses are: The quality and relevance of the of artist s previous work; Artist s experience of creating work for the public realm; Commitment to community involvement. 6.2. Step Two The proposals and designs produced by the shortlisted artists will be displayed publicly at venues in the places involved, including the Battlefield Heritage Centre during April 2017. These designs can consist of any medium, including drawings, photographs, maquettes, models, computer generated images etc. Copyright for these designs will rest with the artist. The artists will have the opportunity to present their concepts and designs to members of the Steering Committee and other stakeholders at a meeting to be arranged in May 2017. A final selection of the artist(s) to be commissioned will be made by the panel, which will include an independent specialist advisor. The criteria to be considered at this stage of the selection (in addition to those for Stage One above) are: Quality of the proposal and designs and how appropriate it is to the site and the nature of the scheme; How well the concept has been presented to stakeholders and ability of the artist to work effectively with them; Assurance that the work can be realised within the allocated budgets and within the timescale; Technical viability - longevity or resilience of materials and the design; Environmental sustainability; Potential to help the Commissioner to meet the aims and objectives (see section 2 above); Quality and relevance of designs produced. Artists Mark the Legacy of Bosworth 1485 commission brief January 2017 7
7. Provisional timetable The commission will be undertaken according to a timetable to be agreed with commissioned artists. The following is the timetable originally envisaged, but the latter period, after week 29, is flexible to suit the requirements of production of the commissioned work. Phase one: Issue artists brief 9 January 2017 Receive expressions of interest 17 February 2017 Select a shortlist and commission artists end February 2017 Artists prepare proposals/maquettes end April 2017 Public exhibition of proposals May 2017 Selection of preferred artist(s) June 2017 Phase two: Fundraising programme June 2017 to Spring 2018 Phase 3: Commissioning / Procurement Spring 2018 Artwork creation, including community engagement Spring 2018 Project delivery Late summer 2018 Project completion, unveilings and ceremonies Late summer 2018 8. Insurance The artist will be responsible for all personal insurance and should provide evidence of current public liability insurance for up to 5 million. 9. Copyrights The copyright, moral and legal rights to all commission drawings, maquettes, and preliminary works and the completed works will rest with the artist(s). LPL will have assigned joint rights to use the images from each stage of the process for press and promotional purposes, and in the event of any publications concerning the commission shall use all materials recognising the artists moral rights. 10. Documentation LPL will prepare press and promotional materials concerning the commission including the use of images on its website and social media, in relation to public consultation and all media work. It is intended that the commission will provide a number of opportunities for exhibition, to be negotiated with partners and the appointed artist(s) at the start of the process. Any costs incurred in preparing work for exhibition will be met within the fees for the commission, where the artist is concerned. Otherwise the costs of Artists Mark the Legacy of Bosworth 1485 commission brief January 2017 8
organising, mounting, displaying and running the exhibition(s) will lie with the client and partner stakeholders. The work will also be documented visually at each stage in order to ensure that the project goes to plan. Documentation is an important asset in the evaluation process for the project and can assist in recording the different stages of work undertaken. 11. Decommissioning Provision will be made in the contract in the event that the work(s) have to be moved, placed in storage or removed for any reason. The artist has the right to know of any changes to the work and will be contacted in the event that any changes may be planned. In most cases the context for decommissioning is due to either deterioration of the piece or due to changes in site usage. Sometimes, however, works are moved, for example, in the case of finding a more suitable site if the original site becomes unusable. The commissioner should be responsible for any records of the works, including up-to-date details of the artist within contract records, listings or monuments schedules, and will take responsibility for the safe removal, storage or destruction of the piece in full correspondence with the stakeholders and the artist as the owner of the copyright to the work(s). 12. Contacts Project Manager for this commission is: Fred Brookes Creative Leicestershire Leicestershire County Council Room 600 County Hall Glenfield LE3 8TE E: fred.brookes@leics.gov.uk T: 0786 653 2077 Portfolios can be submitted digitally using Dropbox or a similar file transfer service. Submissions should arrive not later than 17 February 2017. Artists Mark the Legacy of Bosworth 1485 commission brief January 2017 9