Tin Shed Theatre Co, The Place Newport, and their partners are seeking artists to join us on The City Box Takeover; an exciting project decorating and transforming a number of utility boxes in Newport City Centre.
Each utility box painting must be inspired by something in CELF: National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales, which offers a wide range of works, artists, and objects to inspire creativity:
QR codes will feature on each utility box with a link to the item within CELF: National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales which has inspired the artists’ work. This will form an interactive trail that links various locations across Newport, offering an alternative way for people to explore the city and art gallery.
During the project, artists will collaborate with local partners in the city centre to develop and bring their artistic visions to life.
We are particularly interested in hearing from artists from underrepresented backgrounds.
This project has been made possible through funding from CELF: National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales via Newport City Council.
Fee for each artist:
-
£1500.00 to paint 3- 4 utility boxes/ assets
Boxes vary in sizes (the smallest being approximately 40cm x 60cm x 20cm and the largest being approximately 175cm x 170cm x 45cm). Utility boxes will be divided amongst artists as fairly as possible so that jobs are of a similar scale.
-
£300.00 to cover planning, materials, food and travel
-
Total fee per artist: £1800.00
Criteria and Information:
-
Successful artists must submit draft sketches for each utility box which they are painting by Friday 28th February for permission purposes. Each box must be inspired by a different item/ object/ theme of CELF: National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales.
-
We will share draft sketches on social media, display them in the city centre, and use them in ways which compliment the project
-
Artists must have previous experience working in public spaces and working on similar commissions
-
We are looking for artists who are passionate about redeveloping spaces and places, and being collaborative in their creative process
-
We will ask artists to engage and reflect with us throughout their creative journey; sharing the development of their ideas so that we can incorporate and track this as part of the story of the project
Timeline:
-
Application deadline: Monday 6th January 2025 10:00 am
(Applications will then be shortlisted by Tin Shed Theatre Company, The Place Newport and
their partners).
-
Results of application: 24th January 2025 latest
-
Artist briefing Zoom call: Final week of January 2025
-
Draft Sketches/ Design Plan deadline: 28th February 2025 latest
-
Installation: Monday 14th April - Wednesday 16th April 2025, times TBC.
-
Wet Weather Contingency: If it rains on the above dates, painting will be rescheduled to happen ASAP within the time frame between Thursday 17th April - Thursday 24th April. Artists must be prepared to reschedule if there is wet weather.
Apply
To apply, please email apply@tinshedtheatrecompany.com with the following information. Your responses will be shared with and reviewed by partners also involved in organising this project.
-
A portfolio and examples of your previous work and projects (200 words max)
-
A link to an artwork/ medium/ artist/ theme of CELF: National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales which has provided you with inspiration for the painting of one utility box
-
Why did you choose this artwork/ medium/ artist/ theme of CELF: National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales, and how would you incorporate your ideas into a design on one utility box? Feel free to provide a draft sketch if this helps you to communicate your idea (200 words max).
-
Why are you the ideal candidate for this opportunity and why is this project of interest to you? (200 words max).
-
Complete and return the equal opportunities monitoring form
Access: TSTC welcomes applications in video or audio format which are no longer than 4 minutes. We recommend using a wetransfer file link.
Questions?: Email us on connect@tinshedtheatrecompany.com if you have any questions.
Support needed or require an informal chat?: Email us on connect@tinshedtheatrecompany.com, using the subject heading ‘City Box Takeover’
Please note:
-
In line with the guidelines of companies in ownership of signal boxes, artwork cannot include anything offensive or anything which could be seen (even inadvertently) as offensive or promoting conflict. This includes anything political, allegiances to specific sporting teams, or anything with a religious context. Advertisement on signal boxes is also not permitted.
-
Artists will need to agree to health and safety considerations related to working in the public space/ painting utility boxes if successful in this commission
-
Artists will need to bring all materials required for painting during installation
-
Filming and photography will take place during the painting of utility boxes
