Jobs and opps

WHO: artists.

WHAT: Cambridge City Council are creating a new extension to Logan’s Meadow Local Nature Reserve (LNR), which is called Pye Fen. We wish to commission a ‘Swift Tower’ to be located within the Pye Fen extension. Swifts (Apus apus) spend almost all of their life in the air and can fly up to 20,000 feet high. They migrate to breed in Europe for three months in the summer and then return to Central and South Africa. A swift ‘Tower’ would provide an opportunity to establish a highly visible new colony within the City and raise awareness of the species, particularly to highlight, its unique international lifestyle and dependency on our built environment and natural green spaces. This single commission will comprise of two stages. Stage 1: The first stage of the commission will be to produce a permanent piece of work that will function as a ‘Tower’ for between 50 and 100 pairs of swifts to accommodate them after their epic migration from Africa. The artwork must be both ‘fit for purpose’ and raise awareness of the species both in terms of its incredible lifestyle and its declining population. Stage 2: The second stage will be the development and delivery of a temporary project to be located in Pye Fen Local Nature Reserve after the installation of the swift ‘tower’. The project must celebrate the installation of the ‘tower’. It must be a creative interpretation of the international lifestyle of the swift and raise awareness to the plight of the species. The artist will be required to work with young people from the surrounding community to develop and deliver the temporary art project.

WHEN: The completion of all work under Stage 1, including delivery/ handover to the Council shall be completed by May 2011. Stage 2 will result in a final project taking place or being installed in the Reserve during June 2011. Deadline of 12pm on September 7th 2010 for receiving expressions of interest.

PAYMENTS: Stage 1 Budget: A budget of up to £30,000 is available for this part of the project. This budget is to include all fees, expenses, planning permission and approval costs, materials, fabrication, public consultation, transport, installation, sub-contractors costs, technical consulting advice (including structural engineering advice), specialist lighting, insurances and any other costs associated with the making or installation of the piece, including VAT. Stage 2 Budget: A budget of up to £4,500 is available for this stage. This budget includes all artist fees for engagement with young people in the local community, research and development, installation of an artwork, plus materials and fabrication costs (where applicable) or any costs associated with the project to be delivered in the Nature Reserve, including VAT.

Deadline: 7 September 2010 ** Deadline expired**

Organiser/employer: Cambridge City Council

[ Added on 9 August 2010 ]