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Alexandra Reinhardt Memorial Award, Artist in Residence 2015 at the Bluecoat, Liverpool

Brief for Artists

Application deadline: 10am on Tuesday 30 September 2014 Artists are invited to apply for the 2015 Alexandra Reinhardt Memorial Award (ARMA), Artist in Residence, hosted by the Bluecoat in Liverpool. The Award funds a 10-week residency and public art commission worth £15,000. The residency will take place from February to April 2015, during which the chosen artist or artists will carry out an education and participatory programme aimed to engage children and families from some of Liverpoolʼs disadvantaged communities. The residency will result in a semi-permanent commissioned artwork to be displayed for a minimum of six months in the courtyard situated at the front of the venue, ideally to be completed by June 2015 (or no later than 31 October 2015). The artist/s will work closely with Bec Fearon, Head of Engagement and Bryan Biggs, Artistic Director at the Bluecoat. Alexandra Reinhardt Memorial Award (ARMA), Artist in Residence 2015 With the support of the Bluecoat staff, the selected artist/s will develop a series of workshops tailored for the galleryʼs Out of the Blue group, a programme of art clubs aimed at children aged 6-11 years taking place in four (soon to be five) communities across Liverpool; and for the Explore drop-in workshops for children and families at the Bluecoat. The artist/s will be required to involve learning disabled adults from the Bluecoatʼs Blue Room group in the design and delivery of some of the workshops. The Bluecoat would welcome applications from artist/s with no prior experience of working on education, learning or participatory projects. Artist/s with experience in this area are also welcome to apply. ARMA 2015 is managed by engage, the National Association for Gallery Education. Please see Appendix IV at the end of this document for more information about ARMA, engage and the Bluecoat. The aims of ARMA 2015 residency and commission are: • For an artist or artists to respond to a display at the Bluecoat, the building, the venueʼs

history, or to an audience group who use the venue; and to create a semi-permanent commission for the front courtyard of the venue, suitable for a Grade 1 listed building.

• For an artist or artists to carry out an education and participatory programme during their 10-week residency with children, and families outside of formal education.

The residency The artist/s residency will run for 10-weeks from February to April 2015, coinciding with February half term (16-20 February 2015) at the Bluecoat.

The artist/s will be available 1 day per week for 10 weeks to run a programme of educational and participatory workshops. The workshops can take place across non-

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consecutive weeks or in clusters, and the artist/s may factor in a break mid-way through the residency. Ideally there will be a cluster of activity during the February half term.

Throughout the residency at the Bluecoat the artist/s will be managed by Bec Fearon, Head of Engagement during the educational and participatory component and Bryan Biggs, Artistic Director during the designing and making of the art commission. The artist/s will receive day-to-day support from Becky Waite, Blue Room Facilitator, Betty Ritchie, Children and Families Facilitator and Denise Courcoux, Gallery Officer.

The artist/s may spend an additional 1-2 days a week on other aspects of the residency, such as planning workshops, or planning and making the commission. This may be at, or away from the Bluecoat.

A studio space in the host venue will be made available to the artist/s throughout the duration of the residency, for the workshop and commissioned artwork research, planning and development. An additional space for workshops will be available, if required. Storage space for participantsʼ work created during the residency will be made available.

The Bluecoat will arrange for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check [replaces the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)] on the artist/s. Artist/s who do not have their own Public Liability Insurance can be covered by the Bluecoat's insurance, on completion of a full health and safety induction and the signing of documentation to confirm understanding of the company's health and safety policy and practice; this process will be facilitated by staff at the Bluecoat during the project induction period.

The commission During or at the end of the residency, the artist/s will present plans for their commissioned artwork to the Bluecoat, ARMA Trustees and engage. These will need to be agreed by the Bluecoat, ARMA Trustees and engage before the making/manufacture of the commission can proceed. The making/manufacture of the final artwork may begin during or after the residency; the artwork should ideally be completed and installed by June 2015 (or no later than 31 October 2015).

The commissioned artwork may be in any medium. The commission needs to function without the presence of an artist or facilitator, and if possible be portable, though this is not essential. The artwork will be placed outside in the cobbled courtyard at the main entrance to the front of the gallery building.

The Bluecoat team will support the artist/s during the creation/manufacture of the artwork and will supervise installation of the artwork created by the artist/s, as well as the retention and maintenance of the work for an agreed period.

The artist/s may choose to make and install the commission or to collaborate with contractors/artists on the making and installation of the work. If the artist/s wishes to have support for any part of the making or installation of the work, the Bluecoat will take responsibility for this process.

Site information Following the reopening of the building in 2008 after a major 3-year capital development programme, the dynamic of the immediate local area has changed along with the landscape around the gallery. Footfall has reduced through the front courtyard entrance and increased to the rear.

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The Bluecoat is keen to encourage greater use of the front courtyard space, which contains entrance doors leading to four creative retail spaces, offices, a Bistro and the main entrance. Please see Appendix II for a plan and 240-degree snapshot of the front courtyard.

The successful artist/s must take in to account the following restrictions when designing the commissioned artwork:

• The cobbles which cover much of the courtyard are listed so cannot be removed and must be protected if an artwork is to be sited on them

• There is currently no accessible electricity supply to the front courtyard • Access routes to the shops, offices, Bistro and main entrance must be kept clear • The Bluecoat may be required to apply for permission from the Conservation Officer

at Liverpool City Council, depending on the nature of the artwork • The artwork does not necessarily need to be portable but it might give it a longer life

if it could be moved if necessary to accommodate occasional events and shorter term commissions

Participation groups There are two key groups the Bluecoat wish to involve in the residency through the supported education and participatory programme:

1. Out of the Blue is a programme of art clubs taking place in four (soon to be five) communities across Liverpool. Each club has a membership of children aged 6-11 years with an interest in art. The clubs are run by the galleryʼs Children and Families Facilitator, with support from an apprentice, an intern and two adults with learning disabilities from the Blue Room project. During term time clubs take place after school in community venues; during school holidays sessions take place at the gallery. The Bluecoat also run three family sessions each year at the gallery, to involve families of Out of the Blue members. Activities are usually inspired by the gallery programme, as one of the key aims is to break down barriers to contemporary visual arts.

2. Many of the Bluecoatʼs general visitors are families and children. The gallery runs a weekly drop-in session called Explore, run by a Participation Coordinator, which is attended by between 20 and 40 people each week. Activities link to the gallery and are increasingly linked to the programme of activities for Out of the Blue. The Bluecoat would like to get this wider community involved in the residency through one or two activities, which can be publicised in advance through the gallery brochure and direct emailing.

Celebratory event and exhibition A celebratory event will be organised by the Bluecoat on completion of the residency and commission between June and October 2015 (excluding July and August). This will include material from the education work carried out during the residency, information about the commission and material related to ARMA, including work by Alexandra Reinhardt.

Communications The Bluecoat will produce material to promote the commission and residency. engage will support the promotion of the residency and commission. The artist/s will supply images of existing work for marketing material and access to images as the project progresses. It would be beneficial if the artist/s were able to document the residency process and outcomes through online media i.e. blog, tumblr, etc.

Evaluation An independent Evaluator will be appointed to evaluate the residency and commission. The Bluecoat and the selected artist/s will be supported by the ARMA Coordinator Beth Moseley, and by engage.

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Please see: Appendix I at the end of this document for a budget Appendix II for images and a plan of the Bluecoat front Courtyard Appendix III for important information for artists Important dates • The artist application deadline is 10am on Tuesday 30 September 2014 • The artist interviews are on Thursday 13 November 2014 • An artist/s induction at the Bluecoat will take place in December 2014 • The residency will take place from February to April 2015 • The commissioned artwork is to be complete by June 2015 (or 31 October 2015 at latest). • The celebratory/sharing event for the commission and residency is planned between

June and October 2015 (excluding July and August) Who can apply The Bluecoat would welcome applications from artist/s with no prior experience of working on education, learning or participatory projects. Artist/s with experience in this area are also welcome to apply.

More than one artist may undertake the residency together, working in the same or different artforms. If there is only one artist the expectation is that they will be a visual artist; if two artists undertake the residency and commission, one of them should be a visual artist and the other may work as a visual artist or in any other artform.

How to apply Applications should be sent to alex.evans@engage.org with the subject line ʻARMA 2015 Artist Applicationʼ by the deadline of 10am on Tuesday 30 September 2014.

Applications should include: • A completed Application Form • A recent CV for each artist applying • A completed Equality and Diversity monitoring form for each artist applying • And up to 6 digital images or 2 video files of recent work clearly labelled with artist/s name.

Formats and sizes accepted: - Digital images of no more than 1MB: email to alex.evans@engage.org with application - Video files no more than one minute long: Upload to YouTube or Vimeo and paste - links into the relevant place on the application form. Applicants may add a password to

Vimeo files if they prefer not to make them public.

Visit the engage website to download the Application Form and Equality and Diversity monitoring form: http://www.engage.org/ARMA2015-ArtistsApplication

Selection process Shortlisted artist/s will be invited to interview in London on Thursday 13 November 2014, by a panel including representatives from the Bluecoat, ARMA, and engage, and experts from galleries and museums. Reasonable travel expenses will be refunded for attending the interview. The selection of the artist/s will take place in accordance with engageʼs Diversity Strategy and an Equality Action Plan.

If you have questions about the programme or your application, please contact Beth Moseley, ARMA Coordinator, at arma@engage.org.

engage is committed to equality of access to its employment. Should you need application details in another format please contact engage on 020 7729 5858 / info@engage.org

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Appendix I

ARMA, Artist in Residence 2015 Budget

Award to artist/s for residency and commission: for workshops, creation of artwork, art materials for the workshops, transportation and installation of artwork, material and equipment costs for education activities, and artistʼs time and expenses e.g. accommodation and travel.

£15,000

The Bluecoat, with the support of ARMA, will meet the cost of the celebratory event, exhibition and other aspects of managing the residency and commission, including the production of publicity and marketing material.

A budget for the manufacture, transportation and installation of the artwork will be agreed with the artist/s, the Bluecoat, ARMA and engage. If the artist/s chooses to work with subcontractors on the making, transportation or installation of the commission (including producing measured drawings) they must seek agreement and be under the guidance of the Bluecoat.

The artist/s can arrange for all or part of the allocated monies for the creation and installation of the work to be paid to the Bluecoat, to cover the costs of the subcontractors. The Bluecoat, will become responsible for paying subcontractors for installing, transporting or manufacturing the artwork abiding by the Bluecoatʼs procurement framework.

A plaque to accompany the commission will be installed, paid for by the Max Reinhardt Charitable Trust. Appendix II

The Bluecoat space for the residency and commission The front courtyard at the Bluecoat is situated on School Lane between the Liverpool One shopping development and the city centre shopping area. It can be accessed from three different pedestrianised routes and is visible from Church Street (one of the main shopping streets) via Church Alley. A more detailed plan is available on request.

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View of the Bluecoat from Church Street down Church Alley.

View of the Bluecoat from School Lane. The front courtyard is situated beyond the gates.

A full panoramic of the front courtyard can be seen at http://www.thebluecoat.org.uk/panoramics/show/panoramics Appendix III

The successful artist/s will be expected to: • Liaise with and be supported by the ARMA Coordinator and the Bluecoat both

remotely and with occasion visits • Work with the ARMA Coordinator and the Bluecoat to create a workshop project

schedule detailing educational and participatory activities prior to the start of the project • Work with the ARMA Coordinator, the Bluecoat and an independent Evaluator to

collect data to assess the impact of the residency and commission, and contribute to the overall evaluation of the residency and commission, including the timely return of case study material and evaluation/monitoring reports as detailed by and in conjunction with the Evaluator and to ARMA Coordinator

• Present final commission designs, including description, working schedule, budget, detailed design drawings and maintenance schedule to the Bluecoat, engage, ARMA Trustees and the ARMA Coordinator, to be approved prior to making the artwork

• Supply measured drawings if required, to be agreed by engage, ARMA and the Bluecoat • Work with the Bluecoat with the realisation and installation of the final commission,

within budget, on time and in liaison with contractors if required • Discuss and agree employment of contractors with the Bluecoat • Discuss and agree any proposed changes to the residency and commission with the

Bluecoat, engage, the ARMA trustees and Coordinator. Any changes to the residency and commission must be agreed by all these parties and only implemented with prior agreement.

• Discuss with the Bluecoat a maintenance schedule for the commission, if required • Leave a legacy for the host venue e.g. film/photographic documentation, a

booklet/publication etc., to be agreed in advance with the venue and factored in to their budget.

• Ensure the Bluecoat contacts are briefed and updated in regards to the artist/s educational and participatory activities and programme

• Assist the ARMA Coordinator and host venue in obtaining permission from any participant who may appear or otherwise participate in the artist/s residency and commission to use as visual documentation for dissemination online and in print

• Under go a DBS check (replaces CRB), if appropriate • Complete an induction session at the Bluecoat

The commissioned artwork and agreed supporting material will belong to the Bluecoat. If at the end of an agreed period the Bluecoat wishes to decommission the artwork they will

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inform ARMA Trustees and the artist/s. The artwork cannot be sold by the Bluecoat. The Bluecoat is responsible for insuring the commissioned artwork whilst in its care. Appendix IV

Alexandra Reinhardt Memorial Award, background ARMA was established in memory of the artist Alexandra Reinhardt and is supported by the Max Reinhardt Charitable Trust. The Award comprises an annual artist residency culminating in an artwork in the public realm. From 2005, artists undertook residencies in NHS hospitals through a programme coordinated by Paintings in Hospitals. From 2010, the artist residency programme was coordinated by The Art Room, an organisation that works with art and artists to support vulnerable young people. engage, the National Association for Gallery Education, is delighted to have been running ARMA since 2012. www.alexandrareinhardt.org The Bluecoat The Bluecoat is Liverpoolʼs Centre for Contemporary Arts, receiving over 500,000 visits annually and supporting approximately 50 creative businesses, ranging from solo artists to disability awareness charities. With a year-round programme of free exhibitions and a range of music, dance, literature and live art events, the Bluecoat is a leading exponent of creative practice for the city, an anchor organisation and cultural icon for the North West. The Bluecoat works with people at the most vulnerable edges of society, as well as those at the centre of the cultural world, and the gallery prides itself on doing so with equity, warmth and respect. As conservators of a rich history and incredible building, the oldest in Liverpool city centre (Grade One listed), the Bluecoatʼs focus is on increasing access, inviting everyone in to engage with current artistic practice, exciting contemporary work and the creators behind it through a full programme of participative opportunities. www.thebluecoat.org.uk engage engage is the lead organisation in the UK for gallery education with some 900 members across 270 museums, galleries and visual arts organisations. engage has well developed programmes in England, Scotland and Wales, and members in over 20 countries worldwide. engage focuses on four areas of work: research and activities, continuing professional development, sharing practice, and advocacy. engage receives support from Arts Council Englandʼs National Portfolio Programme, project funding from the Arts Council of Wales and is an Annual Client of Creative Scotland.

engage members are the organisations and people who deliver learning programmes in the visual arts, including gallery educators, artists and artist educators, as well as students, teachers, curators, directors, youth and community workers, policymakers and others involved in arts education and the visual arts. Members include national, local authority and independent museums and galleries throughout the UK.

engage are the UKʼs most effective advocate for gallery education. Membership starts at just £33.50 per annum. Find out more at: www.engage.org

engage is generously supported by: