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May 2015
Featherstone Gateway Public Art Commission - Artist Brief
1. Context
Beam is working on behalf of Featherstone Town Council in Wakefield, West Yorkshire to
undertake the management of a new public art commission to be situated in a prominent
location at Mill Pond Meadows, a key gateway to Featherstone, commemorating those
from the town who gave their lives during the First World War.
Miners were exempt from conscription, but hundreds from Featherstone enlisted anyway
to serve. Nineteen soldiers alone died on the first day of fighting at the Somme, with 353
people from the Featherstone area in total dying in the conflict. There has already been
significant activity in Featherstone around First World War commemoration, which
underpins this new artwork commission.
Work began with a ‘Neighbourhood Renewal’ funded research project, which resulted in a
book entitled ‘Featherstone in the First World War’ written and edited by local historian
Tony Lumb. This project became the catalyst for the idea of a longer–term
commemoration project for Featherstone. As a result, in 2014, a commemorative wood
was planted at the main crossroads coming from Streethouse into Featherstone on
Wakefield Road (A645), marking the First World War Centenary and engaging local
schools and children in the process of planting a total of 353 trees, one for each resident of
Featherstone who lost their life in the war. The site is called Mill Pond Meadows Nature
Reserve and the initiative is part of the Woodland Trust’s £20m First World War Centenary
Woods project. As part of this activity local school children conducted research into each
of the lost soldiers, helping to compile a special new archive. The first Featherstone trees
were planted on Armistice Day 2014 in staked rows designed to echo the war cemeteries
of France and Belgium. The theme for the tree planting was English Heritage including
rowan and holly, to suggest the red of the poppy symbol.
Woodland Trust volunteer Roger Parkinson said;
“The town lost a devastating number of sons, and this idea has really caught the
imagination. We’re determined they won’t be forgotten.”
1 2. Vision
A significant and long lasting commemorative artwork for Featherstone, which encourages
people across the generations to stop, look, think and remember. The artwork evokes the
past, but utilises a contemporary and forward-looking design, perhaps incorporating
lighting design.
The Artwork makes a significant contribution to the Mill Pond Meadows area –
encouraging residents and visitors to take contemplative walks through the tree lines and
enjoy the landscape of this emerging place and resource for the people of Featherstone.
3. Aims
The overall aim of this commission is to deliver a substantial, significant and outstanding
commemorative artwork, marking and honouring the bravery and indomitable spirit of the
people of Featherstone who gave their lives in protection of this country and communities.
The artwork is to be sited on Mill Pond Meadows, Featherstone, and is to be visible and
experienced both by car from the crossroad and also on foot by people visiting the
woodland area and public footpaths. The sculpture is also intended to act as a key
gateway to Featherstone.
A Public Art Advisory Group will guide and inform the project, including representatives
from Featherstone Town Council and local heritage and community partners. Wider
community engagement is at the heart of this commission and the appointed artist must
enthusiastically and meaningfully engage and involve wider local agencies and individuals
in Featherstone such as local schools and community groups, working across the
generations. There is strong local support amongst the community for this commemorative
artwork.
The artist is also asked to consider within this commission the overall physical and
thematic context of the artwork and its location within the wider Featherstone area
including the character of the area.
4. Objectives
• To develop an innovative artwork that respectfully commemorates Featherstone’s First
World War deceased, whilst also looking to the future (the Steering Group is open to
considering a broad range of artforms and materials)
• To deliver a public art commission which is accessible, inclusive and should facilitate a
sense of pride and ownership amongst the local community
• To deliver a physical artwork which successfully engages with a broad range of local
residents and visitors across the generations, stimulating wider discussion and learning
about the First World War
• To deliver an artwork which has a strong impact on the wider environment of the Mill
Pond Meadows Nature Reserve and which makes a significant contribution to creating
a destination and sense of ‘place’ at the site
• To develop an artwork that has an impact at different times of the day and across the
seasons
• To encourage engagement with the Mill Pond Meadows area, its woodlands,
connective routes, trails, and ecology for both visitors and the local community
2 5. Expected Outcomes
• A permanent physical artwork which has a strong visual impact and creates a positive
sense of place
• The artist will creatively engage and consult with local people throughout the process
and development of the artwork
• Increased awareness locally, regionally and nationally of Featherstone
6. Deliverables
• Attendance at meetings, including those with the project Steering Group and others as
required
• 1 public art commission as described in section 5
7. Constraints/ Considerations
• The artwork will be easily implemented, be robust and require minimal maintenance
• The artwork will be designed to not attract loitering
• The artwork will be robust and flexible enough to be successful at different times of day
and in all weathers
• The artwork will have a minimum life span of 20 years
• The artwork will be designed to ensure its construction does not create issues that
would have a negative impact on the area e.g. litter traps
• The project must be completed within the outline budget stated in section 11
• There is a need for an effective, straightforward, cost-effective maintenance regime
• The design of the commissioned artwork must take into consideration issues of Health
& Safety and must not pose a danger or threat to any person.
8. Additional Information
• The selected artist may be required to undertake a DBS check to undertake this project
• Beam and the project steering group will support the selected artist to make local
contacts and connections and to source relevant information as required
9. Location
The Mill Pond Meadows site is owned by Wakefield Council. The Steering Group are open
to discussion and suggestions about the exact positioning of the proposed artwork within
the Mill Pond Meadows site, taking into consideration underground services and feedback/
considerations from discussions with Wakefield Council’s Planning Department.
10. Process and Timeframe:
Featherstone Town Council has a small budget in place for artist selection and some
funding to support the community engagement and detailed design development phase of
this commission. The Steering Group are keen to try to augment their existing budget
through fundraising to develop a more substantial community engagement approach which
will result in a detailed design for the artwork.
Following artist selection Beam will lead on a fundraising application. If the application is
successful the community engagement and detailed design phase will proceed as below. If
the application is unsuccessful the Steering Group will agree a revised approach with the
selected artist to deliver a more modest community engagement and detailed design
phase to be delivered within the scope of their existing budget.
Once the detailed design phase is completed and signed off by the Steering Group, Beam
will work with the Steering Group to fundraise for the fabrication and implementation of the
Artwork from a range of sources. The timings outlined below are therefore indicative.
3 Action
Project implementation Phase 1a: Artist selection
to fundraising bid development
Artist brief advertised
Deadline for artist expressions of interest
Artist interviews and selection decision
Fundraising application submitted by Beam and
Steering Group
Fundraising decision due
Date
May – November 2015
w/c 8 May 2015
Mon 8 June 2015, 12 noon
w/c 13 July 2015
w/c 12 October 2015
End Nov 2015
Project implementation Phase 1b: Concept Design, Winter 2015 – Spring 2016
Community Engagement to Detailed Design
Project Implementation Phase 2: Fundraising for Spring – Autumn/ Winter 2016
fabrication and installation
Project Implementation Phase 3: Fabrication to Spring/ Summer 2017, artwork
Installation (subject to successful fundraising)
launched Autumn 2017
11. Budget
• Phase 1a: Reasonable artist travel expenses will be paid to Artists selected for
interview.
• Phase 1b: The indicative budget is approx. £7,000 including all fees and expenses
(subject to successful fundraising). The minimum amount available for this phase (if
funding bid is unsuccessful) will be in the region of £1,500- £2,000 including all fees
and expenses.
• Phase 3: The indicative guideline budget for this phase is approx. £50,000 (subject to
successful fundraising).
12. Permissions
All work will be subject to relevant permissions being secured – prior to implementation.
Artists will need to ensure that any direct participants in engagement activities have
completed Media Permission forms – photography / film / web – prior to activities taking
place. Beam will require photocopies of Media Permission forms.
13. Health and Safety
Featherstone Town Council Health & Safety Policy will be applied to this commission. The
artist will be responsible for ensuring the safety of their artwork including the sourcing of
approval from a registered structural engineer.
14. Insurance
The artist and any sub-contractors will be required to provide details of Public Liability and
other relevant insurances as requested by the Public Art Steering Group.
15. Communications and PR
Artists are encouraged to document work-in-progress so that this can also form part of
promotional activity that could be utilised online or in printed materials. All communications
and PR will be managed by the Public Art Steering Group.
4 16. Copyright
Copyright in the designs and the work will be retained by the Artist in accordance with The
Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988.
17. Equal Opportunities
Beam is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills,
experience, and different cultural perspectives available in a diverse society. We believe in
nurturing a working environment in which people feel they are respected, valued, and can
achieve their potential regardless of age, colour, disability, gender, marital or family status,
nationality or ethnic origins, race, religious belief or sexual orientation. Beam’s Equal
Opportunities Policy will be applied to this commission.
18. Expressions of Interest
• Expressions of interest should be submitted in electronic format by email to Frances
Smith at the contact details listed below
• The deadline for expressions of interest is Monday 8 June 2015, 12 noon
• Submissions should be in the format of a PDF document with a maximum of 12 pages
in total – to include the following:
- CV (including 2 referees)
- Up to one A4 side detailing your initial response to the brief
- Portfolio of work (up to 6 relevant projects that demonstrate your suitability for the
commission) or links provided to relevant website pages
19. Contact Details
Frances Smith, Project Manager, Beam, The Orangery, Wakefield, WF1 2TG
frances@beam.uk.net / 01924 215 550
Beam combines creativity with practicality to help people make better places. We achieve
this through learning and education, the promotion of good design, and the imaginative
use of the arts in the public realm. www.beam.uk.net
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