Closing date: Thursday 4 February 2021, 4.00pm
Eurobodalla Council is calling for expressions of interest from professional artists residing in NSW or the ACT, experienced in delivering large scale, quality art for the new Batemans Bay Regional Aquatic, Arts and Leisure Centre.
The commissioning of the public artwork will be a component of the new Batemans Bay Regional Aquatic, Arts and Leisure Centre, due for completion in early February 2022.
The commissioned artworks will be installed in close proximity to the theatre entrance, and near the main entrance to the building.
The artwork should consider the driving thematic of the building design:
- A sense of place inspired by the unique local, physical and historic context (spotted gum forests, meandering waterways, granite breakwaters, rusted steel).
- A place that unites and creates opportunities for the community across a diverse range of ages and backgrounds, and fosters opportunities for connection with the arts from a broad demographic.
Being a coastal environment, the area is subject to constant salt spray and high winds, so material of choice is of great importance and is to be specified within the proposal. The artwork will be in an open environment and will be subject to high levels of pedestrian traffic.
The artwork (main entrance) is to be no more than 3 metres in height. The ground conditions will be concrete, although the site may require additional support depending on the overall weight of the artwork.
There are no identified services within the foundation area.
Artworks that require a complex or excessively costly engineered foundation will not be considered. Designs that require excessive maintenance will not be considered, nor will any design that represents a risk to public safety.
Day and night-time visibility is important, and lighting should be considered as part of the design (both for visual impact and security).
These characteristics are critical given the hours of operation of the BBRAALC (typically 6am to 9pm, operating 7 days a week), and the close proximity to the main entrance (pedestrian traffic) and seated patrons at the café.
While the theatre will normally operate in the evenings, the high volume of passing traffic (both vehicular and pedestrian) will give the artwork near the theatre entrance a significant area of prominence. The artwork itself should inspire people to want to stop and come and explore.
In addition, artists should also take into consideration the shared Aboriginal and European history of the site, community culture and aspirations, and respond to the unique beauty of the district.
Artwork for the theatre entrance and the main entrance can individually reach a maximum value up to $100,000 (GST exclusive). Total funding for the entire project is $200,000 (GST exclusive).
Artist brief
The artist brief contains essential details artists must respond to when submitting their expression of interest. It includes details concerning the proposed site location(s), project background, commission budget, concept requirements and shortlisting process:
Express your interest
To express your interest for the public art commission, please email stephen.phipps@esc.nsw.gov.au by Thursday, 4 February 2021, 4pm, providing:
a curriculum vitae highlighting a track record of artworks and relevant experience
up to 10 relevant images of past artworks or a video link to past work
a short, written response to the artist brief, highlighting experience and skills relevant to the selection criteria
an indication of availability within the proposed timeframe
a brief summary of any other information relevant to the project.
