This project aims to expand Yorkshire Peat Partnership’s (YPP) Eyes on the Bog (EotB) citizen science project by engaging young people in monitoring peatlands. Schools or community groups (Scouting chapters etc.) will take ownership of their own monitoring plots on peatlands and be trained to carry out ongoing peatland condition monitoring. The data collected through EotB nurtures community engagement by evidencing the impact of peatland restoration on flood mitigation, carbon storage, increased water quality, biodiversity, and as a recreational space.

The project will create ‘totemic markers’ in the landscape.

These will act as fixed photo points, allowing the public to submit photos of monitoring plots and the surrounding landscape to YPP to monitor visual change.

Through this Call for Artists, we seek 2 local/regional artists to submit a proposal to work with schools and community groups in Wharfedale, North Yorkshire to co-create site-specific totemic markers, informed by the connection the involved community groups have with peatland habitats.

Each selected artist will be commissioned to create a totemic marker.

The creation of totemic markers provides an opportunity for wider engagement of the community and general public, attracting public attention and drawing in new audiences to learn about YPP’s work, and participate in long-term monitoring.

It is expected that with appropriate planning consent (to be managed by YPP), these markers will be sited on peatland sites within North Yorkshire.

In advance of this permission being granted, YPP will work with landowner partners to exhibit markers within community education spaces located close to the final landscape they will be sited on.

The specific aims are as follows:

• Produce high quality totemic markers in collaboration with community groups by local/regional artist
• Inspire greater understanding and appreciation of peatland habitats and citizen science efforts to monitor and learn about them
• Inspire a sense of pride and ownership by local groups over the plots they are responsible for long-term monitoring of

It is agreed that the artwork created should:

• Incorporate a platform, ledge or holder at a fixed point that can hold a mobile phone for the purpose of fixed photography
• Be of a suitable size and construction so that it can be fixed into the ground as a post and remain stable (please note that the artwork will be sited in an area of peat  soil, which will require the post length to be submerged to be of significant length).
• Be reflective of an aspect of the identity or hopes of the community/youth group for which it will become a ‘totemic marker'
• Consider both durability based on the conditions in which it will be sited (ideally a minimum 15-year lifespan) along with sustainability in terms of production/materials

It is agreed that the artist will:

• Plan and facilitate a creative engagement workshop with the community/youth group for whom the artwork is being made to gather ideas and content for the final construction and content of the artwork

Conditions:

• The artist agrees to have the Work featured in Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and partners’ educational resources, websites, social media, newsletters, etc.
• The artist agrees that the Works are credited throughout as ‘[title] was commissioned and produced by [artist name] and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust in collaboration for the New Kids on the Bog project.
• Copyright position - copyright remains the property of the artist

 
Artist Fee:

Total fee of £5,100 per artist (two awards will be made to 2 separate artists. This fee is roughly broken down into the following costs:

• £3,500 development/production fee per artist (inc. VAT)
  • Note this includes all transport costs and workshop facilitation costs
• £1,600 material budget for artwork production per artist (inc. VAT)
  • Note this includes all production costs for both community consultation workshop materials and production of final artwork

Key Dates:

• Brief Issued: 25 October 2024
• Concept proposal Deadline: 13 November 2024
• Contract Awarded: 14 November 2024
• Artwork completed/delivered: w/c 3 February 2025