PROJECT OVERVIEW
These commissions mark the beginning of a larger public art programme titled ‘Living Laneways’, an innovative laneway trail where artists can respond creatively to public laneways in Roscommon Town and to its history, story and community. This call out
is Stage 1 of a 2 Stage Process for two laneways.
Roscommon County Council invites original submissions from artists for the design and execution of a:
MOSAIC / CERAMICS LANEWAY
Commission budget: €70,000
Stage 2 Proposal development fee: €500
POETRY LANEWAY
Commission budget: €17,000
Stage 2 Proposal development fee: €250
Budgets are fully inclusive of all costs: artist fees, any necessary research, production /realisation, installations, groundworks, insurance, documentation, maintenance file and VAT.
CLOSING DATE FOR STAGE 1 EXPRESSION OF INTERESTS
Wednesday 4pm, 23rd August 2023
For submission and queries contact Mary on: msmyth@roscommoncoco.ie
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Roscommon County Council and its project partners wish to bring people and a diversity of urban functions together in central places which, for most of their existence, have been places of public interaction and commerce. The full project seeks to create a functionally diverse, connected and people-friendly sequence of town centre spaces which frame and celebrate the architecture, and to create a town centre which existing and future residents can take pride in, and which visitors are drawn to. Back streets and laneways link residents and visitors toward the town centre and the ‘Living Laneways’ project considers laneways as places traditionally occupied by skills, trades and guilds.
This commissioning programme aims to provide visual enhancement to the laneway links approaching the Main Street and Market Square.
This is part of the final element of the Roscommon Town Main Street and Market Square Public Realm Project funded under the 2018 Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) and developed by Roscommon County Council Regeneration team working with GKMP Architects, artist Rhona Byrne and a multidisciplinary group appointed to implement the innovative architectural and artistically influenced Covered Civic Space in Roscommon Town Centre.
These commissions are intended to provide opportunities for dialogue and participation with the local community. Representatives of various town groups will be involved in selection.
The design of the artwork could fill a specific area or take a more sporadic approach extending along the laneway. Works will require low maintenance.
MOSAIC / CERAMIC LANEWAY SUBMISSION
Artists with mosaics / ceramics experience are invited to submit a proposal which is:
- Professional and contemporary.
- Made in a manner and from materials suitable for permanent exhibition outdoors.
- Respond to the location and to one or more of the following themes:
- Local history – referencing key local historical sites and figures, eg. Aleen Isabel Cust, the first female Veterinary Surgeon in Ireland and the UK; Lady Betty, the famous Irish executioner from the 18th century linked to the old jail, etc. Check out: https://www.visitroscommon.ie/ or www.roscommontownheritage.com/index.php
- Evoke curiosity and encourage public engagement with the surrounding town area.
- Involves collaboration in context or in application with the community.
- Welcoming to visitors.
- Highlights a story of the area.
POETRY LANEWAY SUBMISSION
The Poetry Laneway is to become a space for groups to gather. It is proposed to have wall piece(s) installed which reflect the laneway theme. Artists with experience of installation/relief work are invited to submit a proposal which is:
- Professional and contemporary.
- Made in a manner and from materials suitable for permanent exhibition outdoors (this could include the use of recycled materials.)
- Works should respond to or incorporate poetry / collaborate with a poet. Poems should respond to one of the following themes:
- Nature & local environment.
- Evoke curiosity and encourage public engagement with the area.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Each Living Laneways commissionhas a two stage application process.
Stage 1: open call for expression of interests. A selection panel will shortlist up to 3 artists who will be invited to Stage 2 to further develop their proposals with a proposal development fee paid.
Roscommon County Council reserves the right to commission at Stage 2 or not to commission from entries received and to re-advertise, directly invite, directly commission or to select more than one submission and divide budget accordingly.
Stage 1: Artists are not required to identify a laneway. The following information should be provided in their expression of interests:
- CV: please submit an up-to-date curriculum vitae and contact information.
- Documentation of work: please submit up to 5 examples of relevant, previous work, including written descriptions, photographs, and relevant links to videos.
- A plan suggesting general direction you would take with a commission in your art form located in a laneway in Roscommon (Limit response to 2000 words and 3 images).
Applications will be assessed using the following criteria which should be used as headings in your submission: · Previous experience of similar projects / commissions (50/100) |
· Quality of concept, artistic merit and relevance to the context of Roscommon (50/100) |
Stage 2: Shortlisted artists will be provided with more detailed laneway briefs/drawings and invited to develop original context specific proposals. This will include a site visit and will be in response to the suggested themes from the community (outlined in this call out).
Artists are required to provide a detailed project proposal outlining the concept, methodology, technical requirements, time frame and budget breakdown.
Applications will be assessed using the following criteria which should be used as headings in your submission:
Previous experience of similar projects / commissions (20/100); |
Quality of concept artistic merit and relevance to the themes outlined and the history and cultural context of Roscommon. Include visuals of potential outcomes for the artwork in situ – digital images or scaled drawings (40/100); |
Budget detail - value for money with due consideration to methodology, installation details, long term value and impact (20/100); |
Timescale for realisation and projected completion date, inclusive of any research period and proposed approach to consultation and collaboration with key stakeholders including the commissioner and the local community(20/100). |
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ARTIST
All artists must comply with the necessary Health and Safety Legislation in the design, manufacture, supply, delivery and installation of the work paying particular attention to the challenges created by a public outdoor setting. It is the responsibility of the artist to deliver the work on time and on budget. The artist commissioned may sub contract other creatives.
INSURANCE
Artists will be required to have Public Liability insurance cover for work they have to undertake on site and Employers Liability insurance cover for any person that they undertake to bring on site as part of the design or implementation phase of the project.
TAX CLEARANCE
The successful artist must provide the Council with a tax clearance certificate.
ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL PUBLIC ART PANEL
Artists who submit an application may be invited to join the Roscommon County Council Artist Panel for public art commissions during 2023-2024.
ROSCOMMON CONTEXTS
Roscommon’s Mosaic Tradition was researched and published in a book by artist Laura Earley in 2020.
Autumn Leaves is a broadsheet of poetry and short fiction produced as part of the Arts Office Literary Development Programme, funded by Roscommon County Council and the Arts Council of Ireland. Works could be in response to an Autumn Leaves selected poem or in collaboration with a poet.
Links to Autumn Leaves:
2022: https://www.roscommoncoco.ie/en/services/community/arts-office/roscommon-autumn-leaves-2022.pdf
2021: https://www.roscommoncoco.ie/en/services/community/arts-office/autumn-leaves-.pdf
2020: https://www.roscommoncoco.ie/en/services/community/arts-office/autumn-leaves-pdf.pdf
KEY LANDMARKS IN ROSCOMMON TOWN
Roscommon Old Gaol, Old Jail
This former prison, built by Roscommon landlord, The Earl of Essex, is reminiscent of late 16th & early 17th-century fortified houses. It served as a jail for less than a century, it opened as Stone Court Centre in 1999.
Roscommon Abbey
More than 750 years ago, Felim O Conor, King of Connacht, established the Abbey of Roscommon on the old town outskirts. The Abbey faced many difficult times during its history, including a fire in 1270 and lightning strike in 1308.
Roscommon Castle
A dramatic 13th Century Norman Castle built in 1269 by Robert de Ufford, Justiciar of Ireland, on lands which were taken from an Augustinian priory. It was burned down in 1690 and today, the Castle’s past can be explored while enjoying the adjacent Loughnaneane Park and Playground.
