DLR Invites Submissions to Research, Develop and Write a Visual Arts Policy
Key Objective:
To provide DLR Arts with an eight year visual arts
policy
Brief:
- To conduct research into the
current visual arts programme and to highlight its strengths and weaknesses
- To consider the current programme and the future aims of the visual arts programme
with key stakeholders including DLR (Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council)
Senior management, DLR Arts staff, the DLR Special Policy Committee on Culture,
appropriate Arts Council staff, artist resource organisations and artists within
the county
- To develop and write a strategic visual arts policy
1. Maximising
the strengths of the existing visual arts programme
2. Developing new and innovative
strands including studio provision, arts grants, a professional development programme
for visual artists, artist's residences and exchanges with an emphasis on public
mediation
3. Working towards the delivery and programme of a new gallery space
in the Moran Park development in Dún Laoghaire scheduled to open in 2012
Client:
DLR Arts Office. The successful applicant will liase with the DLR Arts
Officer and the DLR Senior Arts Administrator
Background Information:
Dún
Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is committed to high quality arts and cultural
programming and since 1994 has commissioned an exciting range of festivals, exhibitions,
performances and initiatives including the Festival of World Cultures, the DLR
Poetry Now Festival, Visual Art Exhibitions and Installations, Artists in Residence,
Education and Outreach Projects, Public Art Projects and Country House Concerts.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council believes in the value of the Arts
and the distinctive contribution they make to the lives of the County and its
citizens. The current DLR Arts Strategy will conclude in July 2010, this will
be followed by a 6 month evaluation period and development of a four year Arts
Strategy to run from 2011-15.
DLR Visual Arts programme has focused on the
Concourse Exhibition Programme for ten years. The Concourse Exhibition Programme
commissioned contemporary artists to create installations for the civic space
in County Hall. While the Concourse Exhibition programme was well received critically
and by arts audiences it was not popular with County Council management and the
general public who found it difficult to engage with. In 2008 and 2009 a number
of different visual art initiatives were explored including Concourse Offsite
which continued to commission contemporary visual artists to create installation
art but for the site specific location of Blackrock Park. DLR Arts also presented
an Open Submission Exhibition and an exhibition of popular art curated by Solomon
Fine Art. DLR Arts is currently looking at developing temporary studio spaces
for visual artists.
DLR Arts also has an artist's residency programme that
includes visual artists. At present there is a visual artist in residence at Airfield
in Dundrum and a five year visual art residency at the Dún Laoghaire Harbour
Company. Visual artists are also supported through the public art programme 'Place
and Identity' and the youth arts programme which includes an artists in schools
programme. DLR also has a County Art Collection for which purchases are made on
a regular basis.
Aims of a Visual Art Policy
- To provide
opportunities for artists living and working in the county
- To provide public
access to high quality visual arts
- To create opportunities for participation
in the visual arts
- To include a significant mediation and education strand
Required Tasks
- To consider the current programme and the
future aims of the visual arts programme with key stakeholders including DLR Senior
Management, the DLR Special Policy Committee on Culture, DLR Arts staff, appropriate
Arts Council staff, artist resource organisations and artists within the county
- To conduct research into international best practice in relation to the visual
arts and local authorities
- To conduct research into international best practice
in relation to small scale gallery spaces
- To conduct research into international
best practice in relation to the mediation of visual arts
- To regularly meet
with DLR Arts Officer and DLR Senior Administrator
- To provide a written
interim report
- To write a Visual Arts Policy for DLR Arts working in close
conjunction with DLR Arts Officer and DLR Senior Administrator
- To present
to various stakeholders on the Visual Arts Policy
Resources Available
- DLR Arts Strategy 2007-10
- Previous Visual Arts promotional materials
- No work space or work materials will be provided
Budget
-
The budget is €20,000. This must include VAT. The successful applicant is
liable for all tax within Ireland and internationally
- There is an additional
€2,000 available for expenses. Any expenses must be agreed in advance with
DLR Arts and receipts must be provided
- A detailed budget must be provided
as part of the tender document
- Payment will be made in two equal instalments,
the first upon appointment and exchange of contracts and the second upon satisfactory
completion of the DLR Visual Arts Policy
Outcomes
- Four written
copies and an electronic copy of a DLR Visual Arts Policy
- Formal presentation
to councillors and senior management and the DLR Special Policy Committee on culture
- Informal presentation to DLR Arts staff
Required Qualifications and Experience
- Previous experience of developing an arts policy is essential
- Previous experience working with a local authority is beneficial
-
A background in visual arts is beneficial
Selection Process & Timescale
- The closing date for tenders in response to this brief is 12 noon on Wednesday
2nd December 2009
- Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview
on the week of the 14th of December 2009. At this stage they will be required
to present on their proposed methodology and plans for the visual art policy
- The successful applicant will start work in January 2010
- Interim written
report and meeting in April 2010
- It is envisaged that the Visual Arts Policy
will be complete by July 2010
Criteria for Selection
- Quality
and relevance of previous experience
- Quality of proposal for DLR Visual
Arts Policy
- Budget breakdown
Tenders must include
4 copies of the following:
- Cover letter specifying reasons for applying and highlighting
previous relevant experience
- CV of person/s applying for the tender including
two referees
- Proposed methodology and work plan including a detailed timeline
- Detailed budget including all anticipated expenses
- Examples of previous
work including any policy documents or strategic plans (1 copy of this is sufficient)
Tax
Clearance
The successful artists/arts group will be required to provide
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council with a valid tax clearance certificate
before any payments will be made.
VAT
The commission will be VAT inclusive. The successful applicant is liable for all tax within Ireland and internationally.
Insurance
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County
Council has strict guidelines around insurance requirements and those selected
will be required to provide evidence of relevant insurance policies (including
public liability) to a specified amount prior to signing of contracts.
Child Protection
The successful applicant will be required to follow County Council policy with regard to commissions involving interaction with children and young people and, where applicable, undergo training in this area, as per County Council requirements.
Freedom of Information
The provisions
of the Freedom of Information Act 1997-2003 apply to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown
County Council. Applicants should state if any of the information supplied by
them is confidential or sensitive and should not be disclosed in response to a
request for information under the aforementioned Act. Applicants should state
why they consider the information to be confidential or commercially sensitive.
Application Details
Deadline: 12 noon on Wednesday 2nd of December 2009, no late
applications will be accepted.
Applications should be posted to:
Carolyn
Brown,
DLR Arts,
Dún Laoaghire-Rathdown County Council,
Marine
Road, Dún Laoghaire,
County Dublin
No e-mail applications will be accepted
DLR Arts reserves the right not to make an appointment
Contact
Information: Carolyn Brown, Senior Arts Administrator
Phone: (353 1) 271 9532
E-mail: cbrown@dlrcoco.ie
www.dlrcoco.ie/arts
