Making the Most of the Coast Commissions

Solway Firth Partnership is seeking expressions of interest for three artist commissions as part of the Making the Most of the Coast project.

Jim Buchanan’s labyrinth at Sandyhills by Allan Pollock-Morris

Making the Most of the Coast
This project is a joint initiative to turn the spotlight on over 200 miles of coastline in Dumfries and Galloway and is managed by Solway Firth Partnership to develop events, activities and publications. It is funded jointly by Dumfries & Galloway LEADER, Dumfries and Galloway Council, The Crown Estate and The Robertson Trust. Scottish Natural Heritage is providing support for one of the artist commissions.
Over the next 18 months the “Making the Most of the Coast” project will be working with communities, landowners, businesses, and schools to highlight the value of the coast which has a unique combination of special landscapes and wildlife, rich cultural heritage and people who are passionate about their environment.

Arts project
As part of the project we are keen to provide opportunities for artists to develop original artwork which is likely to attract media attention. We are particularly interested in hearing from people who would like to create ephemeral works on the coast which lend themselves to be recorded as visually striking and thought provoking images, however we will consider all art forms particularly if they also engage with or involve local people and create opportunities for volunteering.
We are keen to offer these opportunities to local creative people and will give precedence to applications from artists who can demonstrate their interest in working on coastal themes and locations as part of their practice.

Themes
It is important that the works support the aspiration to take care of our coastal / marine environment.
Although open to other proposals, we would like one or a combination of the following themes developed:

• Tides and dynamic seascape
• Strand lines and marine litter
• Revealing stories behind our cultural coastline
• Climate change and the marine environment

Budget
Three commissions are proposed. A budget of £3,000 is allocated per commission to include all fees and costs for delivery of completed artwork.
Expression of interest
An expression of interest for the Making the Most of the Coast art project is to be submitted by 1st March 2013 and include:

• Examples of relevant past work (up to 6 images or files). Weblinks may be used for video or audio files that are more than 5mb
• Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of interest in the commission (1 side of A4)

Please save all word documents as pdf before sending.

Shortlist
From the expressions of interest 5 artists will be invited to develop thier idea and submit it as an outline proposal in the form of a sketch / scrap book. Each of the 5 artists will be given a fee of £200 towards the development of the outline proposal.

Commission
Three artists will be appointed to develop and deliver the project.

Timescale
It is envisaged that the artworks will be undertaken during August 2013, however the timescale may be extended to include any time in 2013 if it can be demonstrated that the proposal will be enhanced by taking place over a longer period or at an alternative time of year.

Send expressions of interest to (or for further information):

Please contact Nic Coombey

Nic@solwayfirthpartnership.co.uk

Solway Firth Partnership
Making the Most of the Coast
Campbell House
The Crichton
Bankend Road
Dumfries
DG1 4UQ