Compton Verney House Trust Play Interventions – Play Area February 2021

Compton Verney Exciting revitalising of playful spaces Fees £20,000 Deadline Invitation for expressions of interest before 8th March 2021

Compton Verney - An Extraordinary Place!

What is the play offer at this time?

Our current outdoor playground is situated in the woods at the end of a long avenue of Wellingtonia trees. It neighbours our busy Forest School site. The playground consists of a variety of conventional fixed adventure play equipment, which caters for pre-schoolers and children up to around 12 years. It has a few picnic benches and is a popular place for families to gather. The equipment, having been installed in 2011 is beginning to show signs of wear and tear, though could be imaginatively refreshed. The playground sits amongst a partially wooded area that offers some interesting potential. With the need to update the existing play area, we’re looking to collaborate with another organisation who will help us bring to life a new design, which will be exciting, modern and imaginative. We would like an engaging, unique experience for our audiences.

Images , (see appendix) grounds map- attached to email What do audiences need now?

We are reconsidering how this popular outdoor space could be transformed over the next two years. Our visitors, in part due to the pandemic, have very much focused on the offer in the grounds, we need to enhance this offer. We anticipate the whole project will in delivered in phases. We’ve been awarded funding from DCMS Cultural Recovery Funds to begin the process and complete the first two phases of the project.

We want to create an exciting, challenging and imaginative playful space that visitors, young and old, wish to return to during each visit. We would like the organisation to consider opportunities, particularly for children, to pursue creative, imaginative and risk- taking play in this area.

The playground could also provide a space that is activated with further programme and events in the future and could extend the overall space.

This space will be an essential part of the visitor experience, free to use and a permanent feature. Whilst this area is our primary focus, opportunities to create play spaces and interventions around the site as an additional offer should be considered.

We work closely with our local community on our projects, to ensure that what we’re proposing meets their needs. As an organisation we’re dedicated to diversifying the offer and providing inclusive experiences. We would be interested to hear some of your initial ideas of how we might engage with our neighbours and the wider Midlands community on this project.

Our work with Morris Hargreaves McIntyre has identified the requirements to enhance the proposition, to activate more spaces across the grounds and to welcome people of all ages, with this in mind, Compton Verney needs to be more ‘playful’, our vision is articulated in the attached document in the Compton Verney Manifesto.

Sounds like you?

We would like to involve an organisation:

• Who will provide a strong design concept and plan based on your interpretation of the site and consultation process, capturing the brand essence as outlined in the Manifesto • Who has a clear understanding of audiences and audience behaviour • Who have a strong learning and play philosophy • Who will consider what play means and looks like for different age groups • Who has a strong creative and artistic sensibility that will influence the consultation development, design and delivery of the project. • Who will inspire, guide and challenge • Who have a history of collaboration and participatory practice • Who considers environmental and sustainability impacts of the project • Support with the documenting the project journey, which can be shared with our audiences • Who is able to design deliverable outcomes which meet the requirements of Health and Safety, Safeguarding and Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion practice

There is a further £20,000 which can be used to deliver stage 1 of this project and can be included as part of this brief as a further outcome. At the very least this will be utilised to make safe the existing equipment. All costs include VAT if applicable. Timeline

Phase 1 • Engage and select Creative Organisation/ artists • Consultation period with children/families who will use the playground and Compton Verney team • Site visits and information gathering • Development • Producing a creative design concept for feedback

Phase 2 • Creative partner undertake design, costing, technical specs for installation • Creative partner Produces Final Design Concept, costed plan, delivery plan, and proposals for delivery of phase 1 (if this has been included in the brief) • Presents to stakeholders

Phase 3 • Install of new playground begins and phase 1 is completed

Approach and Process We know our current climate is complex and uncertain and this may present some difficulties to site access or consultation process. We are happy to discuss online and digital ways of working until travel restrictions are reviewed. We will review every expression of interest in line with the government guidelines, around Covid 19 restrictions and safety. Submission and deadline Please send your expression of interest answering the questions below to [email protected] before 8th MARCH 2021 We are open to receiving expressions of interest by:

• Written submissions in a short and concise document • Include a detailed Project Gant Chart – setting out a road map against key activities • Create a short video with images (no longer than six minutes) • Please use wetransfer for any files over 2 MB • Please include an initial break down of the costs and how you will spend the budget Decision: If we’d like to explore your expressions of interest or proposals in more detail, we will be in touch by the W/C 15th March 2021 Expression of Interest You or your company Tell us a bit about you or your company – the kind of work you do, what else you’ve done or have planned and what motivates your work. Please include images, videos and website links. Your work We’d like to hear about your initial response to the brief. Tell us why the project excites you and how you might approach the brief, a pricing response and methodology. Please include images, videos and website links. Availability We will begin the project in early April 2021. Let us know when you’re free and if the time of year affects your work. Please give as much detail as you can. Covid-19 We can ensure a Covid safe event environment on our site for you and your team, our visitors and staff. How will you ensure a Covid safe environment for your team if visiting site and liaising with audiences?

Equity, Diversity and inclusion Please tell us about your commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Health and Safety Health and Safety requirements must be met, and any design proposals will be of the appropriate deliverable standard against HSE requirements. Compton Verney adheres to Safeguarding standards. Grounds Master Plan This project forms an element of a wider study into the use of the entire 120 acres of land and is seen as a key element for development. If Phase 1 funds are utilised for shorter term interventions, further funding will be raised for subsequent phases.

About us-

Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park, nine miles from Stratford upon Avon, is a stunning location where art and landscape meet. Boasting a nationally-accredited art gallery and a ‘Capability’ Brown designed park of 120 acres, Compton Verney has six permanent collections. We’re able to offer to visitors of all ages a place for discovery, play and reflection, somewhere to have fun, explore, learning and experience.

Founded with the mission to create a space for dialogues across the creative disciplines, to represent the underrepresented and make art, culture and natural environment accessible to all. This is a place for exciting exhibitions of the highest quality, with world class collections ranging from ancient Chinese bronzes to British and European fine and decorative arts, to British Folk Art and 20th century design and natural sciences.

Since 2000, our Park has been the context for commissions from contemporary visual artists including Anya Gallaccio, Simon Patterson, Kate Whiteford, Faye Claridge, Alex Hartley & Tom James, Krijn de Koning and Ariel Schlesinger. It is also the site of important ecology, biodiversity and geological significance, with a collection of historic trees, lake and wildflower meadows.

From 2020, we are broadening the breadth of visual arts and creative practices we present through a new live programme.

It is also a place where people enjoy and engage with the natural environment and heritage through contemporary experiences.

To learn more about us please visit

Website, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

Appendix: Playground currently

Compton Verney House Trust February 2021

Compton Verney Activating Engaging and Inclusive Creative Spaces Fees £15,000 (Design, plans, costings, activity plan to deliver outcomes, artists interventions/interpretation strategy, audience strategy, interventions – stage 1) Deadline Invitation for expressions of interest before 8th March 2021

Compton Verney Activating Engaging and Inclusive Creative Spaces Fees £15,000 including interpretative developments/creative interventions Deadline Invitation for expressions of interest before 8th March 2021

Where are we now?

The adjoining rooms that make up the Discovery/ Family Rooms have evolved over the years. They are situated on the first floor and can be accessed by stairs or large lift. They have housed historic photographs of the site, contemporary responses to the permanent collections, reference and art books as well as been used as family break out spaces.

The rooms are very popular with families of younger children, and also older people to take a rest. Up until the pandemic the rooms would offer a range of sensory, open ended resources to prompt play, books, puppets, a large chalking wall and at times offer free self -led simple art and craft activities. The rooms were programmed each Tuesday of term time with a Tiny Tuesdays, free session, when soft blocks and a range of pre-school resources were on offer for visiting families. Its safe to say these spaces have lacked a cohesive approach to their design and purpose but have great potential for change!

Images (see appendix) What next?

We would like to collaborate with an exciting and innovative artist/designer or organisation to imagine a new life for these spaces and across the galleries.

Based on audience evaluation and family audits we have identified the need for spaces that are inviting, inclusive, accessible and appeal to a wide range of ages, young children, older children and young people, through the design and the offers within. We want to create spaces and interventions that are memorable, fun and unique to Compton Venery. Where historic features and contemporary design complement one another.

• We would love to hear from an organisation or designer/artist who has experience of working with audiences and understands the needs of children and young people in cultural settings. • We would like them to consider the adaptability of the rooms (in the images) as they may be used for programmable sessions, such as community conversations, break out for schools or for family activities. • We would be interested to hear how the design or approach could permeate into other areas of the collections and galleries, perhaps creating portable provocations/ creative interventions. • We would be interested in how you might interpret our permanent collections or the landscape of the park to create bold and exciting solutions. • We would need you to consider the visitor journey and how visitors interact with spaces and any interventions.

We have been awarded funding from DCMS Cultural Recovery Funds to undertake this development and are excited to explore fresh ideas to provide a diverse and inclusive experience.

The budget may be utilised for design and outputs required, but could also be partly utilised to begin phase 1 of interventions, we are seeking innovation and value for money.

Sounds like you?

We would like to collaborate with an organisation/artist/designer:

• Who will provide a bold design concept based on a consultation process and an ability to work from a position of diversity • Who has a strong creative, interpretative, design/art sensibility that will influence the consultation, development, design and delivery of the project. • Who will consider what playful spaces could look like for a range of audiences • Who will consider the impact of materials, environment and interactivity on learning, creativity and imagination of users. • Who will inspire, guide and challenge • Who has a history of collaboration and participatory practice • Who will consider environmental and sustainability impacts of the project • Support with the documenting the project journey, which can be shared with our stakeholders • Who will establish the design and interaction principles, and deliver an intervention/s as the first phase of development demonstrating value for money. Timeline begins-April 2021

Phase 1 • Engage and select Creative Org/ artist/designer • Consultation period with children/families/young people who will use the spaces • Site visits and information gathering • Produces design draft

Phase 2 • Creative Organisation/ artist undertake design, • Produces Final Design Concept Draft for approval • Co-ordinate, with support from Compton Verney the provision of any procured items and materials, costing, technical specs for installation

Phase 3 • Creative partner- presents concept to stakeholders • Install of and design realised and is live

Provisional Budget: £15,000 including initial interventions (the balance between fees and outputs will need to be articulated in the bid) – Including VAT if applicable. Approach and Process We know our current climate is complex and uncertain and this may present some difficulties to site access or consultation process. We are happy to discuss online and digital ways of working until travel restrictions are reviewed.

We will review every expression of interest in line with the government guidelines, around Covid 19 restrictions and safety. Submission and deadline Please send your expression of interest answering the questions below to [email protected] by 8th MARCH 2021 We are open to receiving expressions of interest by:

• Written submissions in a two-page document • Create a short video with images (no longer than six minutes) • Please use wetransfer for any files over 2 MB • Please include an initial break down of the costs and how you will spend the budget Decision: If we’d like to explore your expressions of interest or proposals in more detail, we will be in touch by the W/C 15th MARCH 2021 Expression of Interest You or your company Tell us a bit about you or your company – the kind of work you do, what else you’ve done or have planned and what motivates your work. Please include images, videos and website links. Your work We’d like to hear about your initial response to the brief. Tell us why the project excites you and how you might approach the brief. Please include images, videos and website links. Availability We will be looking to begin the project in April 2021. Let us know your availability. Please give as much detail as you can. Covid-19 We can ensure a Covid safe event environment on our site for you and your team, our visitors and staff. How will you ensure a Covid safe environment for your team if visiting site and liaising with audiences? Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Please tell us about your commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and how you propose to attract diverse audiences ensuring equity and an inclusive approach.

Strategy Compton Verney’s Manifesto acts as guidance to the approach Arts Council England – Investment Strategy – Let’s Create – principles will need to be referenced About us-

From 2020, we are broadening the breadth of visual arts and creative practices we present through a new live programme.

It is also a place where people enjoy and engage with the natural environment and heritage through contemporary experiences.

To learn more about us please visit

Website, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

Appendix: First Room

Appendix: Room 2

Compton Verney New charitable objects

a) To promote wellbeing, physical and mental health through the provision of physical and digital access to and facilities for the appreciation, study and practice of the arts, culture, nature, heritage and science on the Compton Verney estate and/or any other place or places. b) The advancement of education and learning in the United Kingdom and in particular in the West Midlands. c) The commissioning and collecting of art, and the preservation and public display of a collection of art, for the benefit of the public. d) The preservation, protection, improvement and sustainability of the Compton Verney estate’s historic buildings, landscape and natural environment in order to promote (a), (b) and (c). One Compton Verney A manifesto for an extraordinary place

An extraordinary place 1 We are One Compton Verney: more than an art gallery, a house and a park. Rather than separate elements, our exhibits, interpretation, education, activities, experiences, events, facilities, services and digital presence are deeply integrated. We deliberately blur the perceived boundaries between visual and performing arts, indoor and outdoor, architecture and landscape, science and nature, creativity and learning, digital and analogue, and visiting and participating.

We connect everyone to art, nature and creativity 2 Our galleries, spaces and grounds are places for contemplation, conversation, music, performance, storytelling, learning, making, gardening, play, and creative response. This fascinating and ever-changing cultural kaleidoscope is magical it envelops you and invites your engagement. This engagement promotes visitors’ wellbeing, physical and mental health.

We’re a catalyst for ideas 3 We are a platform for dialogue, debate and interaction with society: a generator of new ideas and a facilitator of how to action them. To do this, we convene artists, creatives, writers, dancers, musicians, scientists, academics and specialists with our audiences. Together, through discussion, debate, research, experiment, co-creation, dynamic encounters and unique experiences, we explore contemporary ideas, innovative solutions to pressing problems, new interpretations, multiple perspectives and challenge traditional narratives.

We invite you to spend deep, meaningful time 4 A visit to Compton Verney is an extraordinarily immersive experience with a profound sense of place. We want you to relax and spend deep, meaningful time in our landscape, and with our art. But we can also animate and provoke, stimulate and heighten all of your senses. We invite you to roam, explore and discover, to be yourself, lose yourself and find yourself, feel free, and maybe try something you have never done. For you and those you love, we want your visit to be joyful, playful, surprising and delighting. Your search for truth and beauty will bring food for thought and a feast for the soul. A visit to Compton Verney is a tonic: it energises, nourishes, rejuvenates and uplifts.

We experiment, influence, ignite and inspire 5 Everything we do is done with careful reflection, great commitment and attention to detail. Our knowledge base, expertise, reach and international standing give us the authority to innovate. We are agile and proactive, inventive and entrepreneurial and have the courage to take and manage risks, learning from every experiment. We influence arts practitioners, environmentalists and scientists, igniting and inspiring the next generation.

We think globally and act locally 6 We take a stand and contribute to a better, kinder world. Specifically, we champion environmental sustainability, build audience diversity and equity, deliver transformative learning outcomes and commit to social responsibility in everything we do.

We’re for everyone 7 We reach out to engage the widest possible audience. We welcome you and your family to ours and invite you to join us. We support our visitors to feel safe, at ease and at home. We count on your support to sustain Compton Verney for the future. We want one visit to mean that you will carry a piece of us with you until you return. Culture code

We value the skills, knowledge and experience that each and every staff member and volunteer contributes to create One Compton Verney.

What we can expect from the organisation

Personally: TRANSPARENCY 1 A safe space to share our views and explore ideas. A commitment to clear and honest communication.

Professionally: OPPORTUNITY 2 Challenged to be the best we each can be, with clear opportunities for our advancement. We are empowered to be entrepreneurial, experimental and take risks.

As a team: COLLABORATION 3 We deliberately blur the lines between disciplines and departments, we work collaboratively to achieve One Compton Verney. No silos.

What we can expect from each other

Personally: RESPECTFUL 1 We respect the knowledge and commitment we each bring to our roles. We will communicate with each other in a collegiate and respectful way.

Professionally: RECOGNITION 2 Everyone’s role is vital and we value everyone’s contribution. We celebrate the diversity of skills and experience at Compton Verney.

As a team: SUPPORTIVE We support each other to achieve our individual and shared ambitions. Our shared 3 enthusiasm breaks down boundaries.