2016 Griffith Centenary Celebrations

International Sculpture Symposium

Expressions of Interest (EOI)

This document provides information on Griffith City Councils 2016 Centenary Celebrations, International Sculpture Symposium and the information required to be included in an Expression of Interest.

Contact Officer: Gregory Lawrence: Manager Tourism & Economic Development PO Box 485, Griffith NSW 2680 Griffith City Council, 1 Benerembah Street, Griffith, NSW, 2680 Telephone: (02) 6962 8100 Fax: (02) 6962 7161 Email: [email protected]

1 1. INTRODUCTION

The thriving City of Griffith is the regional centre of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, an abundant and picturesque oasis in an area which the explorer John Oxley described in 1817 as being "uninhabitable and useless to civilised man".

The Town of Griffith was proclaimed in 1916 and was named after Arthur Griffith, who was the New South Wales Minister for Public Works, 1910 - 1915. It was designed by Walter Burley Griffin, the Chicago architect who received world-wide acclaim in 1912 when he won the competition for the design of Canberra. Like Canberra, his design for Griffith featured a distinctive radial pattern with wide tree-lined streets, ring roads and parks. The focal point of the town was to be a grand circle, the centre of government administration, crowning the central hill, with the business sector in close proximity. Proclaimed a City in 1987, Griffith, with its modern shops, sophisticated boutiques, international restaurants, clubs, tourist attractions, leisure, recreational and accommodation facilities, bursts with vitality and friendly warmth.

Griffith's path from "uninhabitable...howling wilderness" to today’s cosmopolitan city has been a relatively short one, having its beginnings almost a100 years ago with the advent to the area of irrigation.

Today Griffith has a population of approximately 26,000 and incorporates an area of 1605 sq. km. Living and working in Griffith offers regional city amenities combined with a cosmopolitan shopping and cultural precinct. Griffith is known renowned for its Italian cuisine, provedores and hospitality, and its restaurants are regularly voted in the top 10 eateries in NSW. Griffith is a cultural hub for arts and culture and attracts international and national performers to the Griffith Regional Theatre and Regional Art Gallery.

At its meeting on the August 26 2014, Griffith City Council agreed to endorse the major event of an “International Sculpture Symposium” to help celebrate the city’s centenary in 2016. Griffith City Council now invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from qualified people to coordinate and run this event in consultation with the 2016 Centenary Committee.

The following criteria will be used to assess the EOI:

1. Demonstrating experience in running a similar event. 2. Providing suitable referees. 3. Having contacts within the sculpture world to be able to secure stone sculptors. 4. Providing a detailed quote and project plan to carry out the project. 5. Preparing a detailed budget and works plan for the event.

2. SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE EVENT

2.1) The event will consist of 5 sculptors, of which all must have international recognition. Ideally 4 would come from overseas.

2 2.2) The successful tenderer for the above will be required to coordinate, stage and run this event and will also be required to liaise with the 2016 Centenary Committee. 2.2) The event will be staged over two weeks in May 2016.

3. LODGEMENT OF EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Expressions of Interest submissions must be made in writing, marked “Expression of Interest, 2016 Griffith Centenary Celebrations International Sculpture Symposium” and addressed to Griffith City Council.

Expressions of Interest may be:

Posted to – PO Box 485 Griffith NSW 2680

Emailed to – [email protected]

Expressions of Interest must be received by Griffith City Council by 3pm on Friday November 21 November 2014.

4. OTHER CONDITIONS

a) Enquiries are to be addressed to the Contact Officer whose details are set out on the cover page.

b) Interested parties must rely on this written document, any other information provided in writing and their own enquiries. Questions should be addressed in writing to the Contact Officer, whose details are set out on the cover page, and will be answered in writing. Interested parties are not to rely on verbal information but if any verbal information is relevant then this must be stated in the Expression of Interest.

c) The financial information provided to Council will be kept confidential except for disclosure to the assessment panel, other relevant Council officers and Councillors and as required by law.

d) Persons and companies lodging Expressions of Interest must note that Council may:

• undertake company, property, bankruptcy and other searches of your partners and directors • contact referees named in the Expression of Interest and ask about previous business abilities, customer service and other matters.

3 e) Council may:

• enter into an agreement in accordance with an Expression of Interest lodged • request additional information from any party which lodged an Expression of Interest • wish to interview interested parties • negotiate further with any party which lodges an Expression of Interest • ask preferred parties to lodge a formal tender • reject all Expressions of Interest lodged • discontinue the process at any time for any reason

f) All parties must pay their own costs and expenses in connection with any Expression of Interest.

Any party who directly of indirectly canvasses support from Councillors or officers of Council will be disqualified.