Three public art opportunities seeking expressions of interest from artists!

The large village of Grove, Oxfordshire has received art funding from a number of different housing developments in the area. The Parish Council would to hear from artists who would like to create a work of arts (or a series of works of art) to provide a creative features for residents and visitors to enjoy. There are three main areas of opportunity where we would like to hear from artists interested in working with us…..

1) Three village landmarks on the public open space
We would like an artist/s to design and create a new sculptural village sign/ landmark features to help local people have a greater sense of identity in a village that is undergoing a period of rapid change due to significant new residential developments.
We hope the artwork will strengthen the personality and identity of the developments and existing village centre, and helps to integrate it with the rest of the village, in an innovative and engaging way, drawing in local natural history, geology, and surrounding landscape for inspiration (such as the local natural history, and the historic air field, tram and canal). Ideally these themes and precise locations will be worked up with a period of research and community engagement.
Preferred materials; Stone
Budget £20,000
2) Seven smaller artistic sign posts/markers throughout the village
Using the research and enthusiasm from the other projects and creating a sense of local identity we are seeking artists to create 7 stand-alone way markers/sculptural features that help define routes through the village.
• To use the process of design and creation to help residents for a resident’s group and find a voice to help shape their community through the arts and involve the village school and other groups in the village.
• Create unique and distinctive features that is of high quality: work which is durable and easy to maintain and which integrates with the functional requirements of the immediate area.
Themes; natural history, vista points, historical links to names in the village
Preferred materials: Wood, metal or stone
Budget £24,0000
3) Artistic/ decorative foot bridge
We would like the artist to design and create a stylish railing feature/panel on the bridge (both sides) that is functional and beautiful. The end result should be and be ‘user friendly’, avoiding finger traps and maintenance issues, with the main aims to:
• To create artwork to be incorporated in the pedestrian foot bridge, that is stunning, good quality and locally relevant.
• The work should introduce a complementary visual element that gives pleasure whilst being practical, durable and safe;
• s sympathetic to the location of the site and its situation to the village centre of Grove and site specific, referring to local natural history and the local identity. Community workshops may need to be included to achieve this.
The final piece should be stunning, well-crafted and low maintenance
Budget: Estimated £13,000

Our chosen artist/s will be selected on the quality of their previous work and their approach to this project. Once commissioned the artist/s will be asked to undertake a design phase, researching the history and context of the Grove area, but also getting to know the immediate neighbours and residents.

Applications Expression of Interest should be submitted electronically to clerk@grove-oxon.org.uk entitled “Expression of Interest in public art projects for Grove ” by midday on Monday 16th January 2023 and should include;
• Examples of at least 6 previous projects you have work on
• An artistic statement in response to the brief and your interest in the project
• An indication of which opportunity/s you would like to apply for
• Ability to deliver this project within the indicated budget.
• The name and contact details of at least 2 references
• confirmation that you have public liability insurance.