Portland Pathways Artist Commission. b-side is looking to commission an artist for a project exploring the historic origins of footpaths on the Isle of Portland, Dorset. Fee: £2000 + £760 travel and accommodation.

We would like to commission an artist to respond to information gathered by a community research team to create work that animates footpaths and informs and engages visitors to Portland over the 9 day period of the b-side festival in September 2018.  

Project outline

Many of the footpaths and bridleways we use today have their origins in routes travelled hundreds or thousands of years ago – these routes are now enshrined in our public rights of way. They not only record how we have navigated our landscape in the past, telling stories of our landscape and built environment but also provide public access to landscapes and historic sites which otherwise may not be possible. They are an asset that we often take for granted. Portland Pathways is a project that will explore the historic origins of public rights of way on the isle of Portland, Dorset.

 A Project Research Coordinator will work with residents of Portland to explore Portland’s paths and find out more about their original purpose and relationship to the landscapes they pass through and places they connect. This community research will involve walks, visits to sites on route and the use of records, archives, and include people’s experiences and memories. The information and understanding gathered will be collated, recorded and archived and used to inspire and inform a map based footpath guide and an artist commission to help share the learning with visitors to Portland (map and artist commission could be a collaboration). The aim is to inspire and encourage residents and visitors to explore Portland on foot, and learn more about the significance of the paths and their relationship to the landscapes and heritage sites they connect.

 The project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and will be managed by b-side, an arts organisation based on Portland. b-side’s ethos is to develop projects that sustain or enhance the distinctive geographical character of a place - its environment, heritage, aesthetics, culture, and well being of residents. b-side commissions artists from all disciplines to make site specific artworks for the Isle of Portland and holds a biennial festival to showcase the work – the next being September 2018.

 Commission Details

We would like to commission an artist to respond to information gathered by the community research team to create work in any media that animates footpaths and informs and engages visitors to Portland over the 9 day period of the b-side festival in September 2018. We would like the work to incorporate walks and talks in some form and to link to an associated map based guide to the footpaths. The artist/s would be welcome to join the research team and contribute to, collaborate on or incorporate the production of the map as part of their work. NB A separate budget covers design and print for the map.

 Fee: £2000 to include artist fee and all costs including materials, production, installation and de-installation of work. [plus separate budget for design and print of map if applicable]

Expenses: An additional allowance of up to £760 is available for travel and accommodation.

Dates: Research and development - anytime from March/April onwards. Final work to be presented as part of the 2018 b-side festival from Saturday 8 – Sunday 16 September 2018.

  The commissioned artist will be invited to join other b-side artists on residential research days 23 and 24 March 2018

·         Material and information gathered over the project research period of March-May 2018 will be made available to inform the production of the map and artist commission. 

• It is expected that the map and artist commission will be linked. Initial proposals incorporating both welcome - a separate budget is available to cover the production costs of the map.
• A final proposal for work will be agreed with b-sideThe commissioned artist/artwork is expected to play an active part in audience engagement during the festival
• Support and assistance will be available for production, installation and stewarding
• The project and any associated events or activities will be promoted by b-side as part of the festival marketing
• The artist is responsible for transportation, installation/de-installation of their work