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ARTIST OPPORTUNITY IN BEDFORD

Borough Council

20th October 2009

Edward Bawden Mural Project: Artist’s Brief

Introduction

We are seeking an artist to work with the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery & Bedford Museum and a small group of students from Bedford College to produce a mural inspired by the Art Gallery’s Edward Bawden collection.

Background

Cecil Higgins Art Gallery & Bedford Museum have received a grant from Renaissance East of England to engage audiences through a series of events linked to the current Edward Bawden exhibition (Bedford Gallery 3 October-31 January). One of the key grant criteria is to work with HE/FE students.  

Project Aims

• To engage a small group of art and design students from Bedford College with the Edward Bawden collection held by Cecil Higgins Art Gallery
• To produce a community artwork that will help promote the Art Gallery & Museum and Bedford College.

Project Objectives

• For the artist to work with students in sessions both at the Art Gallery & Museum and at Bedford College
• For the students to produce a mural inspired by the art of Edward Bawden for display in Bedford Gallery and potentially at other venues in Bedford.

Timetable

• Initial ‘discovery’ session at Bedford Gallery in late October
• Workshops (3 maximum) at Cecil Higgins Art Gallery & Bedford Museum/Bedford College through November and early December
• Finished mural to be installed in Bedford Gallery in second half of December
• Mural available for installation at other venues from early February 2010

Project Fees

Please submit fee estimates for attending one initial session exploring the Edward Bawden collection and up to 3 workshops.

Please also submit an estimate for the cost of materials to produce a mural consisting of up to 4 painted panels, each measuring no more than 1m wide by 2.5m high. The mural must be painted on to panels to allow it to be installed at more than one venue.

Venue

The initial ‘discovery’ session will be held at Bedford Gallery during the current Edward Bawden exhibition. The following workshops will be held at Cecil Higgins Art Gallery & Bedford Museum or Bedford College as appropriate.

The finished mural will be installed in the stairwell of Bedford Gallery until the end of the Edward Bawden exhibition (31 January 2010). Following this, the mural will be available to be installed in other buildings in Bedford; possibilities include Bedford College and other Bedford Borough Council-run facilities.

Expressions of Interest

If you are interested please send:
• Your CV
• Accompanying letter outlining your experience and suitability for the role.

We are looking for artists who have:
• Experience in working creatively with groups
• Current CRB clearance
• Public Liability Insurance (£1 million minimum)
• Ideally experience in using museum and art gallery collections to inspire and enrich learning.

For further information about the project please contact Tom Perrett at Cecil Higgins Art Gallery & Bedford Museum on 01234 345102, email tom.perrett@bedford.gov.uk. Expressions of interest should be emailed to the same address or posted to Tom Perrett, Cecil Higgins Art Gallery & Bedford Museum, Castle Lane, Bedford, MK40 3RP.