ARTIST BRIEF East Anton – Public Art Commission Vision Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) wish to commission two public art works for the significant new East Anton housing development in Andover. The works of art will draw on the heritage of the site as ancient agricultural land, create a landmark meeting place that is integrated into the landscape and provide focal points for communities to come together and explore. Aims & Objectives

• To commission two artworks at identified locations on the East Anton development that enhance the sense of place and explore the heritage of the site as ancient agricultural land. One in the north and one in the south of the site.

• To produce artworks which demonstrate good practice in terms of community engagement and that respond to the recommendations of the community engagement project, ‘Augusta Open Space.’

• To deliver a strong and coherent body of work that is sensitive to the site, as well as engaging and relevant to the community.

• To work with the new consultee group and residents in development of the artworks.

• To commission artworks and artists in line with the TVBC Public Art Strategy. Background East Anton lies to the north east of the town centre in the Alamein ward of the Test Valley Borough. The housing development masterplan includes 2,500 homes, a new school, a community centre, playing field, and two neighborhood centres of shops and offices, plus footpaths and cycle ways to the town centre. This commission is funded through Section 106 contributions for public art and states that ‘Not more of two items of public art, craft or decoration, to be provided by the Borough Council within an area or areas of open space within the Site’. In 2015 artist Laurence Dube-Rushby was commissioned by TVBC to start the process and created a community engagement programme, Augusta Open Space. This project invited residents to get involved through a variety of creative workshops, discussions, walks and a treasure hunt to explore and understand the historic open spaces the development is built upon. The project was formed of three stages;

• Inspire – looked at the history of site, • Create – developed connections between residents, their land and art forms

to gain an insight into art through physical engagement, to grow their confidence in sharing views and discussing the potential for public art

• Aspire – To visualize the future of the site including potential artworks

Laurence worked with the Endeavour school, the over 50’s group and a variety of community groups that met at the temporary community centre. Laurence also approached residents door to door and through open access events. By the end of the project a small and articulate consultee group formed and will be a good point of reference in taking forward the outcomes. The main recommendations of the final report have informed this brief. http://www.testvalley.gov.uk/assets/files/10234/Public-Art-Community-Engagement-Report-Augusta-Open-Space-2015.pdf The development is still under construction, 1,223 occupations were recorded at the end of 2015. The identified sites for the two artworks are yet to be adopted by TVBC. We anticipate that they should be adopted in spring and autumn/winter 2016. Artist’s Roles & Responsibilities The chosen artist will be responsible for

• The design, fabrication and installation of two public art works • Providing detailed working drawings and designs for the commissioner • Supplying the relevant information and drawings required for any appropriate

planning permissions in partnership with TVBC • Effectively managing the available budget and allocating funding between the

two elements of the commission • Attending regular meetings with the Project Manager to provide updates for

TVBC officers and Councillors on progress, timescales and budget • Delivery of at least two community workshop events • Attending meetings with the Augusta Open Space project consultee group • Providing a full maintenance schedule and instructions • Supplying information required for press releases and promotion

Overall sites for the artworks have been identified (see below) but exact sites will need to be presented and agreed in consultation with TVBC. The artist will hold and provide evidence of relevant public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance, and take responsible for any third party contractors. Community Engagement In line with our Public Art Strategy 2014-17 we aim that all our public art projects involve an element of community consultation and participation to contribute towards the collection and development of ideas and artworks. Our aim through this process is that residents are fully involved in the creation of their environments and have a sense of ownership over the places in which they live. We anticipate that the lead artist will hold at least two open workshops or events to gather feedback and share designs with residents, neighbouring communities, local Councillors and key stakeholders. We expect that the lead artist should meet on at least three occasions with the Augusta Open Space project consultee group.

Other key partners to involve include: • TVBC planning, parks and open spaces, community development • Sentinel Housing, Taylor Wimpy • APCA (Augusta Park Community Association) and Community Centre • Andover Trees United • Andover Museum • Endeavour School

Themes & Considerations The themes and considerations for the East Anton commission come primarily from the Augusta Open Space recommendation report and combine with current information and knowledge regarding the development and the communities. The artworks should include/ consider

• How they promote a sense of purpose as a landmark or meeting place for generations to build memories around

• They could create trails and a sense of adventure and fun • They should be permanent, interactive and use robust natural materials • They could incorporate the history of the Romans and Saxons in relation to

this site and reference the Roman Road that ran underneath Smanell Green • They should be integrated into the landscape, respecting the landscape they

are placed within to enhance views or create news ones • They could be sensory, living, nurturing • It is important that in the process the neighbouring estates of Roman Way and

the village of Smannell are considered and involved • How they might integrate the History Box time capsule • There is also a list of Do’s and Don’ts to assess from the report

The Sites & Schedule SITE ONE - Smannell Green (Green space at end of Smannell Road in between Augusta Park and The Chariots)

Smannell Green area has been identified as the location for the main artwork within the commission. It is an open space with pathways running through it, in between two major phases of the East Anton development, Augusta Park to the north and The Chariots to the south. Groups within the consultation project identified this site most appropriate in joining the two areas of housing with a landmark sculpture that would be integrated into the landscape, a potential meeting place and focal point for events and bringing communities together. Utility services run underground along the northern side and way leaves of approx. 10m must not be built on. Any proposed artworks would need to avoid

this specific area. A diagram is part of the attached documents. This area of the development is not likely to be adopted until the autumn/winter of 2016 so would be the second phase of this commission. SITE TWO – Poppy Park (Green space to northwest of community centre) The Poppy Park area was identified as a location for the smaller artwork or start of an art trail. The space shares it’s function between open spaces, play area, cricket ground and tree planting. There are also plans to create a memorial garden for the large amount of MOD families that live in the development to consider. This area of the development is likely to be adopted by TVBC in spring 2016 so would be the first phase and initial focus of this commission. Schedule Please note that once we have identified our preferred artist for the commission, a request for the funding from developers and permission to spend from the TVBC Cabinet and full Council must be submitted. This is planned within the process and we anticipate could take up to 2 months following the offer to the successful artist. It is important to highlight this timescale may change and put back the proposed timescale set out below. Our anticipated schedule is as follows Description Date Advertise Artist Brief End of March to end of April Long and shortlisting May Artist Interviews May Notification of preferred artist June Submit request to developers for funding June and July Submit permission to proceed to Cabinet 22 June Submit permission to proceed to Council 29 June Contract artist August Phase One (New Green) June 2017 Phase Two (Smanell Green) June 2017 Installation June 2017 Budget £73,000 is available for both artworks to include artist time, design, community events, meetings, fabrication, installation and includes any planning application fees. Maintenance A budget of approximately 10% has been set aside for future maintenance. This is separate to this commission fee. The chosen artist will be expected to provide a full maintenance manual on completion of installation with clear guidelines as to the best way to maintain the artwork and any specialist treatment/knowledge that is necessary. The artist should also indicate the anticipated life span of the work and any decommissioning procedures that should be applied.

How To Apply Your application should be submitted no later than Friday 29 April to include:

• A proposal outlining your approach to the commission and initial responses to the brief to include initial design ideas. Max 3 A4 pages, 6 sides.

• A current CV and Artist’s statement of relevant work and commissions. Max 2 A4 pages, 4 sides.

• 6 examples of previous relevant projects, including images. Max 4 A4 pages, 8 sides.

You must demonstrate the following in your expression of interest:

• A track record in commissions for the public realm • Experience of community engagement within public art projects • Experience of working within a creative team • Evidence of the ability to produce high quality works of art • A clear understanding of the challenges and sensitivities of the project

Applications should be sent by email to: Heather Whittam, Venue Director at The Lights, hwhittam@testvalley.gov.uk For enquiries please call 01264 368814 Deadline for applications Friday 29 April Shortlisted artists invited to interview End of May

Equal Opportunities Test Valley Borough Council is committed to providing and promoting equal opportunities in employment and service provision, eliminating discrimination, and encouraging diversity amongst the workforce. A full copy of our equal opportunities policy is attached. Attached documents

1. TVBC Public Art Strategy http://www.testvalley.gov.uk/resident/communityandleisure/artsandculture/publicart/public-art-strategy/

2. Augusta Open Space report http://www.testvalley.gov.uk/assets/files/10234/Public-Art-Community-Engagement-Report-Augusta-Open-Space-2015.pdf

3. Site Map of chosen areas for Public Art - below 4. Smannell Green Map showing way leaves - below 5. Equal Opportunities Policy

http://www.testvalley.gov.uk/aboutyourcouncil/corporatedirection/equality---diversity/equalities/