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Festival of Manchester Micro Commission

Deadline: 06/06/2019

Venue: Platt Fields  |  City: Manchester  |  Region: Greater Manchester  |  Country: United Kingdom  |  Manchester City Council

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Manchester City Council in partnership with the local community are inviting applications from artists and or artist collectives to create a new or adapted small-scale outdoor art piece for Festival of Manchester 2019. The micro-commission is for the value of £2,000. We are looking to commission a visually engaging piece in any genre suitable for an outdoors environment including installation, digital, walkabout, street arts or performance. Festival of Manchester is an annual one day celebration in Platt Fields park, taking place on Saturday 31 August.

Festival of Manchester brief for Micro Commission

Deadline for submission: Thursday 6th June 2019, 5pm

Festival of Manchester: Saturday 31 August, 12 noon to 9.30pm 

BACKGROUND

The Festival of Manchester is a annual one day celebration showcasing the creativity, diversity and vibrancy that makes Manchester such a great place to live, work and play. This year’s festival will take place in the Lakeside Area of Platt Fields park on Saturday 31 August between 12.00 – 21.30.

KEY CONTENT

Festival of Manchester comprises of several different elements:

  • 3 x performance/participation stages/areas
  • Street Arts - a programme of professional street theatre & music
  • Arts and Crafts zone – an area of making and creativity
  • Street market – street food and craft stalls
  • Street sport: participatory sport & professional demos inc BMX, skateboarding, football etc
  • Street talk – performative spoken word stage
  • A funfair 


KEY INFORMATION

Festival of Manchester

  • Took place for the first time in 2018 attracting an audience of over 10,000
  • 2018 audience profile. 68% White British, 26% BME, 6% other. 46% aged 16 – 34, 38% 35 – 54, 16% 55+. 70% were from Manchester, 26% Greater Manchester, 4% elsewhere. 
 

COMMISSION LEVEL

Manchester City Council in partnership with the local community will award a new micro-commission for Festival of Manchester 2019.

The Micro Commission is £2,000 +VAT plus costs. It is subject to funding.

Successful artist applicants will receive funding, publicity around their commission and support from the Festival of Manchester production team and Community Commissioning Group.

MICRO-COMMISSION BRIEF

This opportunity is open to artists at any level of their career, and anybody residing in the UK is eligible to apply. We welcome proposals from artists who wish to develop an existing work, as well as proposals for new pieces of artwork.

We are looking for visually engaging pieces in any genre suitable for an outdoors environment, including installation, digital, walkabout, street arts, performance.We are particularly interested in commissioning work that:

  • Has a sufficient impact in the setting of Platt Fields & Lake
  • Is visible at night, as well as during the day
  • Encourages interaction and exploration
  • Shows for the full duration of Festival of Manchester
 

THEME: ’Our City Our People’

Festival of Manchesteris a celebration of the diversity, creativity and vibrancy of Manchester’s communities in the context of Manchester’s world wide reputation as a city of innovation, sport, music and industrial heritage. We would like these commissions to reflect these underlying themes which give Manchester it’s unique and distinctive identity.

 

WORDS TO CONSIDER IN YOUR SUBMISSION

Installation - Magical - Ambient- Captivating – Contemplative – Community - Moving – WOW

 
Contact the curator
Who is eligible for this opportunity?
Manchester City Council is committed to promoting equality and diversity across our programme and we actively encourage applications from artists of any ethnicity, gender and irrespective of any disability. Both commissions are open to all, provided the lead contact is a resident in the UK. This includes early career artists and any form of creative organisations.

Applicants with additional funding (who are applying for a portion of the cost of a co-commissioned work) are eligible.

Proposals for developments of existing work are eligible.

All project expenditure must take place after the panel decision has been formally announced to successful applications.
What is the assessment criteria?
We will assess proposals based upon the following criteria:
- Is the artistic idea clearly described?
- Is the work suitable for an outdoors environment?
- Will the activity make a strong visual impact on the audience and its participants? 
- Is there a clear and realistic breakdown of budget and expenditure?
- Is there evidence of value for money?
- Has the applicant considered logistical and production issues?
- Is there sufficient capacity (human resources, workshop space time) to deliver the project?
- Does the proposal require the applicant to have a demonstrable track record of delivering similar projects or activities?
- Has environmental impact been considered in the design of the work?
What you need to know about the Platt Fields site
Prior to developing your submission we would recommend that you visit the Lakeside area of Platt Fields park. We are happy to answer any queries you may have regarding use of the park and production elements of the festival.

Please see gallery for Festival of Manchester 2019 indicative site plan

Any power requirements will need to be supplied by a silent diesel generator or battery
What do I need to submit in my application?
You may submit more than one idea for consideration. Your submission(s) should include the following:
- An outline and sketch fully describing your proposed work(s)
- An outline project plan and budget
- A CV outlining you / your organisation’s experience with 5 images

Please complete the online form, once it is complete press submit.
What do I need to include about budget?
We would like an overview of creative fees and materials. Additional on-costs for production should be highlighted and costed. Please note: successful applicants will receive support from the Festival of Manchester production team, and marketing team.
What is the value of the commission?
The Micro Commission is £2,000 +VAT plus on costs. It is subject to funding. Funding will be confirmed by 14 June 2019
How will the payments be made?
Commissions will be paid in two instalments: 70% at the start date, 30% on satisfactory completion of the project.
What is the deadline for submission?
Thursday 6 June 2019, 5pm
What is the selection timescale?
- Thursday 6 June, 5pm - deadline for submission
- Monday 10 June - panel review and shortlisting (further information maybe requested at this stage)
- Friday 14 June - please ensure you are available for a short interview if required
- Tuesday 18 June - commission awarded
Who is on the selection panel?
Reflecting the community ambitions and origins of the festival submissions will be considered and commission awarded by members of the local community around Platt Fields working with Manchester City Council events team.
When is the Event?
Saturday 31 August between 12.00 – 21.30
Who do I need to contact with any more queries?
Please use the contact curator tab on this application

Or email Helen Harland h.harland@manchester.gov.uk with FoM Micro Commission in the subject field

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