The Commission is open to UK-wide artists with proven track record of working on site specific, permanent public art commissions within the public realm and with a strong commitment to developing proposals with local communities. The installations should comprise themes which include two way-finding signage markers, together with an ecological green wall that will reside in the locations along the existing Public Right of Way, and the new amenity area within the heart of the development respectively.
A key requirement of the brief is the artworks be suitable for outdoors within public open space, are robust, accessible and safe, and require minimum maintenance over the lifetime of the public art features.
Detailed submissions are being invited, and up to three shortlisted artists may be invited to attend interview and present their proposals to a Selection Panel.
The site
The site is located to the south of the Market Town of Biggleswade, Central Bedfordshire comprising circa 25.5ha of primarily arable agricultural land with the exception being 3 existing residential properties associated with Stratton Farm and their curtilages (that are proposed for demolition). The address is: Symmetry Park, Biggleswade A1 (M), SG18 8YY.
The bulk of the site is located to the immediate southeast of Phase 4 (Menzies Distribution (Jordans Dorset Ryvita)) and to the south of Phase 6 (Co-op at Symmetry Park Biggleswade Phase 1) of Stratton Business Park, between which are buildings associated with Stratton Park Farm. Southeast of the site are further arable fields. To the immediate southwest is a block of woodland, with a Public Right of Way (FP 39) running along the site side. Beyond this woodland is an arable field, and the A1 major road to the west of it. The context of the site is shown below and a copy of the scheme brochure can be found here.
The installations have been proposed to be sited in areas which will add to the public realm contributing to the wider objectives of the Biggleswade Green Wheel.
How to apply:
Artists applying are required to submit the following material in response to the initial brief in the form of an A4 PDF document, no more than 10MB.
- Method Statement – Artists must provide 500 words maximum to explain their approach to the brief and ideas for community involvement including previous experience working with local communities and evidence of insurances including public, employers and product liability.
- Description of design concept/ response statement
- Scale drawings/ visualisations
- Proposed materials
- Installation method statement (outline indication)
- Maintenance requirements
- Outline risk assessments
- Outline community engagement plan/ activities
- Timetable for delivery outline (draft)
- Draft budget breakdown (including contingency sum)
Artists must provide their current CV detailing previous projects demonstrating adequate expertise and suitability for the commission. Identify opportunities and challenges to the existing brief including images, budgets, programme timetable, (1 A4 page per project)
The above information should be submitted to AJA Architects, FAO: Martin Lakin with the subject line:
Artist Expression of Interest- Public Art for Biggleswade 3- ‘Artist Name’,
At the contact email: mlakin@aja-architects.com no later than 23:59pm on 20th September 2024.
