Commission for artists/makers: Canal Connections, The Canal & River Trust

[Joanne Lee]

The Canal & River Trust and Manchester City Council wish to commission a sculpture for installation on the Rochdale Canal in Newton Heath, East Manchester. Artists/makers are invited to submit proposals to design manufacture and install a nature themed sculptural piece for permanent installation on the Canal from the end October 2012.

This art commission forms part of an existing 2-year programme aimed at increasing physical and intellectual access to the natural environment in East Manchester. The programme aims to increase knowledge of the canal corridor and its biodiversity, increase public interaction with the natural environment, foster a sense of ownership of the canal and promote the canal environment to the wider community. The artist/maker will be required to engage with the local community to help inform the design of the sculptural piece.

This is an opportunity for the selected artists/makers to produce a piece of work to provide a landmark for the canal in this area with the potential for their work to be seen by a large audience of local residents and canal visitors.

Project budget: £8,000

The full commission brief is available from Lucy Rogers, 0161 235 0743 or email [e-mail]

Artist-makers wishing to respond should send:

A short response to the brief (2 sides of A4) indicating experience, skills, approach, outline cost breakdown and availability to meet the timescale.
Visual and printed material illustrating a minimum of 4 pieces.
Written details to support visuals giving dates, context, commissioners etc.
A current CV.
A stamped addressed envelope for the return of any submissions.
Proposals to arrive no later than 5pm on Friday 10th August

The successful artists/makers will be informed by Friday 17th August

The sculpture will need to be manufactured and installed no later than Friday 19th October 2012.

Please send your proposals to:

Lucy Rogers, Development Manager, The Canal & River Trust, c/o Sustrans, 2nd Floor, 10 Bradley Street, Manchester, M1 1EH or via email to [e-mail]