CuratorSpace | Project management tools for curators and artists
CuratorSpace | Project management tools for curators and artists

Festival of Manchester Community Commission

Deadline: 06/06/2019

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

Paid opportunity

Report this?
The deadline for this opportunity has passed, and no more submissions are being accepted. Click here to have a look at other opportunities listed on CuratorSpace.

We are inviting proposals from artists / companies experienced in creating outdoor arts to create / build a mid to large-scale installation for Festival of Manchester 2019 on Saturday 31st August 2019 at Platt Fields, Manchester. The commission should provide a visually stunning focal point of interest in the Lakeside area visible at night as well as during the day. It should include community participation elements. This community commission is for the value of £25,000 and is awarded by Manchester City Council in partnership with Platt Fields local community.

Festival of Manchester brief for Community 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 one day annual 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 mid to large-scale commission for Festival of Manchester 2019.  

The Community Commission is £25,000 +VAT plus on 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. 

COMMUNITY COMMISSION BRIEF

We are inviting proposals from artists / companies experienced in creating outdoor arts to create / build an installation for Festival of Manchester 2019 which will provide a visually stunning focal point of interest in the Lakeside area alongside the other festival activities.

THE INSTALLATION SHOULD

  • Be visually stunning and of scale - large enough to create an impact from any part of the Lakeside area for an audience of up to 5,000
  • Make use of the Platt Fields Lake
  • Come to life as a centrepiece and highlight for the event as dusk falls and the audience meander around the lake whilst enjoying performances, participatory activities and food throughout the evening
  • Be accessible and engaging, preferably containing an element of community participation in the making and/or delivery of the installation
  • Consider the FoM audience profile and the nature of FoM as an event. reflecting the ambitions and community origins of the festival
  • Be robust enough to work outdoors in possibly adverse weather conditions
 

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)
- A detailed project plan
- A detailed and itemised budget which includes all project and on-costs
- A CV outlining you or your organisation’s experience & link to website

Please complete the online form, once it is complete press submit.
What do I need to include about budget?
Proposals must include a detailed costing, including all fees, materials, staging, makes, pre-planning and pre-site visits. Additional on-costs for production should be highlighted and costed.

Note: successful applicants will receive funding, publicity around their commission and support from the Festival of Manchester production team .
What is the value of the commission?
The Community Commission is £25,000 +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 normally be paid in three instalments:
- 50% at the start date.
- 40% on completion of an interim report on progress of the project (
- 10% 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 Community Commission in the subject field

You must have an account to send a message to the curator of this opportunity. Registering only takes a few moments. Once registered you'll be able to keep track of all of your submissions and get updates on upcoming opportunities.

Register

Already have an account? You must log in to send this curator a message.

Login

Other opportunities
Dreams and Nightmares | 5th Edition | Call For Artists
Could dreams and nightmares be the potent driving force behind our creative processes, the... Exhibit in Brazil - Orbital Exhibition
A unique opportunity for artists to show their work in a different country without having to be... In Solitude - Publication&Exhibition Open Call for Artists
Solitude: "a lonely or uninhabited place.; the state or situation of being alone.". In Solitude...
More opportunities