Call for Proposals – Due Tuesday 28th October

INTRODUCTION

We’re calling out to all creatives to help us bring aroha and creativity to the

heart of the city.

Art in the City is a creative initiative to transform empty shop windows and spaces

into vibrant showcases for local art.

Online shopping, cost-of-living crisis and other factors are making it harder to sustain

business and as more shops stay empty for longer. We need initiatives to give our

city energy.

By bringing colour, light and imagination into the spaces we pass every day, the

project aims to bring a sense of aroha and creativity to revitalize the unique

character of the city.

Through Art in the City, artists have a platform to share their work with the

community, turning streets into galleries and everyday strolls into moments of

discovery.

We have 3 sites ready for installations of art works, located on the central block of

Gladstone, Peel and Lowe St, with potentially more in the pipeline.

We invite artists, designers, sculptors, makers to help us bring some vitality to our

town!

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the project include bringing vitality, colour, local identity and

positivity to the city centre, increasing the presence of art and culture, offering high

visibility platforms for local artists, and enlivening vacant and disused areas.

Four projects will be selected for the three sites that are on offer.

Three of them are 2-dimensional window and wall applications, and one will hold a 3

dimensional, sculptural work.

The installations will be up for varying lengths up to a maximum 12 months.

Artworks will need to be installed before Christmas. There is potential for artists to

repurpose or develop from existing artwork, designs or installations if the work hasn’t

been over-exposed through exhibitions.

Successful submissions will:

• Be an original work of the artist/s.

• Offer a sense of local identity.

• Embrace positivity.

• Contribute to a vibrant city centre.

• Be impactful both closeup and from a moving car.

To be considered for a commission, artists and creatives will need to submit an

Expression of Interest proposal.

A panel will select four artists for the current sites on offer.

Each selected artist will receive a fee of $2000.

Each site also has a materials/installation budget to suit its specifications. The

materials/installation budgets are between $700 - $1800 depending on the site and

will be discussed fully with the selected artists upon accepting the commission.

Successful artists will be required to submit an invoice to receive their $2000 fee.

All expressions of interest will be held for a 12-month period to be considered if

further opportunities arise.

TIMELINE

PROCESS

Artists will be selected by a panel of assessors and supported to develop their work

to maximise the site.

Artists will be asked to assist with installation unless of a technical nature such as

large-scale decals where professionals will be employed.

Artists will also be required to help with removal of their artwork at the end of the

term. Artworks must be designed to be fully removable.

Art will stay on display for up to 1 year (4 months for site no.1) or until the shop is

leased or required by the landlord. Installations may potentially be relocated to

another site if feasible if a shop is prematurely rented out.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST REQUIREMENTS

1. Contact details: Name, phone, email.

2. Artist Statement: A brief description of your background, artistic approach,

themes in your work, and other projects or exhibitions you’ve been in.

3. Idea Proposal: A description of your proposed idea, including concept, how it

relates to CBD vitality, materials, installation details if relevant, and which

site/sites you want to work with. (4 paragraphs max)

4. Visuals: Sketches, photographs, or mock-up images that illustrate the proposed

project.

5. Past Work: provide 3-5 images of existing creative work that will give us an idea

of your practice relevant to your proposal.

6. Timeline: A proposed timeline for the completion of the project.

SUBMISSION

Please put text and images into one file and email by 5pm Tuesday 28 th October to:

artcitytairawhiti@gmail.com

MORE INFORMATION

Information evening: 6pm Tuesday 14th October @ GIZZY LOCAL, 64 Lowe Street

to provide context and talk further about the project.

Instagram: artinthecitytairawhiti Any questions Email: artcitytairawhiti@gmail.com

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to acknowledge Rongowhakaata as mana whenua of our city centre in

relation to this project. Here is a link to their website Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust

This project is generously supported by Gisborne District Council and Trust

Tairawhiti, and plays a small part towards the wider City Centre Revitalisation

Programme.

SITES

1. MASONIC CORNER – cnr Gladstone & Lowe Streets

This site has a set format of 5 x A0 (84cm wide x 119cm high) posters which will be

pasted up in portrait orientation like gig posters. The sixth bay, with the power box in

front of it (fourth from the left in the photo) will display the project signage.

This is a high visibility site so thought should be put into the visual impact from a

moving vehicle as well as up close. Yes, five different pieces instead of one, but this

could be developed as a series of related works. It is an opportunity to tell a story or

evolve a visual concept.

We are commissioning two artists for this site. Each artist will have a four month

term. One will be a summer install, one an autumn install. The art could potentially

reflect the time of year though the brief is open.

2. Ex SUBWAY SHOP - 50 Gladstone Road

This install is exterior glass only, there is no access to the interior. The art on this

shop will act to screen off the poor state of the interior so needs to cover the glass

entirely.

There are 8 vertical panels to work with. Five on left are 175cm high x 59cm wide,

three on right are 175cm high x 56 wide. The set back door area will be screened off

with plain frosted vinyl and project signage. The row of small frosted windows below

is not included.

Printed decal is the obvious choice of medium and can be printed with photographic

art, painting, printing so it is not just limited to digitally made work. You are welcome

to propose other media approaches, but keep in mind they must be lasting, resistant

to vandalism, and able to be removed without a trace at the end of the project.

Your concept could be one artwork divided into 8 slices, or it could be a series of

pieces that are cohesive but separate.

3. 63 GLADSTONE

The raised plinth in the window is available for a 3 dimensional / sculptural

installation. This could be one single piece or more of an installation response.

Dimensions are approximately: 2200mm wide x 1200mm deep x 1400mm high.

This is a great exhibition space, though there is no power to site so the installation

needs to be compelling and viewable from outside the glass in daylight or street

lighting at night.

The installation method needs to be robust and lasting so minimal or no

maintenance is required over the duration of the install.