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Keele University 50th Anniversary Commission
Keele University 50th Anniversary Commission - Images by Keele University
Union Square December 2011 - Images by Keele University
Background
2012 is the 50th anniversary of the award of Keele’s Charter as a university. The University has a small number of sculptures that have been commissioned or donated throughout those fifty years and this commission will be part of the art collection as well as contributing to the environment in which it is placed.
The Brief
The commission is for an outdoor sculpture that would be the centrepiece of the Union Square redevelopment. Union Square is the focal point of university life for students, staff, local residents and visitors. It is adjacent to shops, cafes and bars and close to the library and chapel and the area incorporates areas of grass and mature trees.
The commission is for a major piece of sculpture that will need to be substantial in scale and, because of its location, will need to be robust, vandal resistant and maintenance free. There is flexibility about the materials to be used but it would need to integrate with the redevelopment of this central location. The commissioned artist will be involved with the landscaping design development meetings.
It may be possible to provide illumination of the piece in the darker months of the year and lighting options should be a consideration of the design.
The successful artist will need to be able to demonstrate their competence in managing a major commission such as this. The artist will be expected to be aware and to fully comply with relevant legislation and with the University’s own regulations and policies concerning safe working practice.
Theme
The successful commission will represent the character and founding philosophy of the university and in some way reflect its ambitions for the future for both itself and for its future graduates. It would be appropriate if it could encapsulate the breadth and concept of the dual honours courses, (the interdisciplinary nature) of the university as well as the other elements of its ethos which are about sustainability, internationalisation and personal endeavour and achievement.
As a major long term investment and a landmark on the campus, the sculpture should be one that students will identify with as being part of their experience of Keele and a piece that engages the interest of visitors.
Funding / Fee
Funding will be from university capital expenditure and it is possible that additional sponsorship may be attracted for the project from alumni or similar sources. It is not intended that there should be a ‘corporate’ sponsor.
The fee will be in the region of £50,000 which will include all stages of design, production, materials, transport, site works that are additional to the surrounding area and installation. The commissioned artist will be responsible for the cost and provision of any professional services such as structural engineers. Lighting costs will be separate. The University Estates department will be available to provide technical information and they will be responsible for ensuring compliance.
Shortlisted applicants will be paid £1,000 to cover their costs in developing the concept and travel to Keele to give their presentation. The successful candidate will receive the fee in four tranches.
10% on award of commission,
40% on acceptance of final detailed design proposals and production starts
40% on delivery and final installation
10% 6 months after satisfactory completion
Timescale and Process
18 November - Call for submissions
5 Jan 2012 - Closing date for submission of design concepts. At this stage, artists wishing to be considered for the commission must send design concepts to include visual representations of their proposal, a written description, outline costs, a CV and any supporting material that shows other commissions they have undertaken.
12 January - Applicants will be notified if they have been successful in being shortlisted. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to develop their proposal and to attend a meeting at Keele give a presentation to key personnel. Two shortlisted applicants will receive a fee of up to £1,000 to meet their costs for this process.
13 February - Presentation of proposals to panel of Vice-Chancellor, Directors of Estates & Development and Marketing & Communications, KUSU President plus others as appropriate
1 March - Notification of winner of proposal
October - Installation
November - Completion and Unveiling
Submissions should be sent to:
John McCarthy
Director of Marketing & Communications
Keele University
Staffordshire
ST5 5BG
t: 01782 734942
