PUBLIC ART COMMISSIONS

INFORMATION BRIEFS

Laois wish to invite submissions for the following two-stage competitions:

Project A – M7/M8 to Castletown/Cullahill PPP Motorway Scheme – Budget Available €55,000 "This project has been funded by the Irish Government under the National development Plan and Transport 21 and by the European Union from the Trans-European (TEN-T) Networks Budget."

Project B M7 Castletown – Nenagh –Budget Available €55,000 “This project has been funded by the Irish Government under the National development Plan and Transport 21 and by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund"

Introduction: These commissions have arisen under the Per Cent for Art Scheme in association with the above road development projects led by Laois County Council in partnership with North and .

Vision: Our vision for these projects is to commission artworks that reflect contemporary art practice and respond to the locale. The nature of a motorway and our newly developed road network has increased the efficiency and safety of road travel and changed the nature of “a journey” in the 21st Century. Inspiration for these works could be drawn from sources as varied as the idea of “the journey” to archaeological finds on the sites, as deemed appropriate by the applicant but should demonstrate a strong link to the locale.

Project A M7/M8 Portlaoise to Castletown/Cullahill PPP Motorway Scheme Clondouglas, Clonkeen

The brief to artists is to create an original and permanent artwork which responds to the vision above. Issues such as safety, durability, maintenance, sight lines etc. should be considered given the nature of the site. An engineers report will be required at stage 2. It should also be noted from a planning and budgetary point of view, that siting of the work may need to take place outside of normal working hours in consultation with project promoters and relevant authorities.

Total Budget for Project A: €55,000 to include artists fees, design development, fabrication, supply, foundations and installation and landscaping works, artists insurance, Health and safety costs, VAT, expenses and other charges.

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A concrete plinth has been pre-erected on the site therefore the successful artist will have to take full consideration of the plinth. The construction details of the plinth and foundations will be made available for the artist’s engineer to assist with structural analysis and report. The plinth has the long side parallel to the motorway fence line. The Plinth is 3m long x 2m wide x 1m high. The top of the plinth is approx 150mm over the top of the fence. There is A393 mesh around the 4 vertical sides of the plinth and under the top face of the plinth. The hardcore base is constructed with Cl.804 compacted.

The site for project A: M7/M8 Portlaoise to Castletown/Cullahill PPP Motorway Scheme is located at Clondouglas, Clonkeen.

A separate document “Appendix 1- Site Information” outlines detail regarding the site including images, descriptions and maps.

Background: This project includes both the N7 national primary to Limerick and the N8 national primary to Cork. Both national primary routes have been constructed to motorway standard under a Public Private Partnership form of Contract. The project is completely within the county of Laois and Laois are the Roads Authority. This scheme 41km of motorway and 11km of side roads, runs from Portlaoise to Borris-in-Ossory in the west and extends as far south as Cullahill. Many archaeological sites from the prehistoric period were identified. These sites date from the Neolithic period and extend through the Bronze Age and the Iron Age, spanning a period between 4000 BC – 500 AD. A considerable number of sites also date to the early medieval period as well as to the later medieval and post-medieval periods. The River Nore is a significant geological feature in this area. The NRA has developed a number of publications illustrating archaeological discoveries along the route which are available on their website www.nra.ie.

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Project B M7 Castletown – Nenagh

The brief to artists is to create an original and permanent artwork which responds to the vision above. Issues such as safety, durability, maintenance, sight lines etc. should be considered given the nature of the site. An engineers report will be required at stage 2. It should also be noted from a planning and budgetary point of view, that siting of the work may need to take place outside of normal working hours in consultation with project promoters and relevant authorities.

Total Budget for Project B : €55,000 to include artists fees, design development, fabrication, supply, foundation, installation and landscaping works, artists insurance, health and safety costs, VAT, expenses and other charges.

The site for project B :M7 Castletown-Nenagh is located at Rathnaveogue.

A separate document “Appendix 1- Site Information ” outlines detail regarding the site including images, descriptions and maps.

Background: This is the N7 national primary to Limerick and has been constructed to motorway standard under a Design and Build form of Contract. The project is located within the counties of Laois, Offaly and North Tipperary, however, Laois County Council are the Roads Authority for the purposes of the Project.

The M7 Castletown-Nenagh scheme is 35km long running south of Roscrea, past Moneygall and connecting to the N7 Nenagh Bypass, east of Nenagh.

The route passes through the low wetlands of the upper River Nore, across high hills connected with the Devil’s Bit Range and over the flat, well drained gravels west of Moneygall. Sixty archaeological sites were excavated in advance of road construction. The NRA has developed a number of publications illustrating archaeological discoveries along the route which are available on their website www.nra.ie.

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Schedule for Project A & B

1. 2011 14th July 2011 Stage I proposals submitted 2. 2011 28th July Site visit for short listed applicants 3. 2011 8th September Stage II applicants submit developed proposals

The Commissioners anticipate project completion by end of 2011 or early in 2012.

The selection panel on behalf of the commissioners, Laois County Council, reserve the right not to proceed with any of the submissions received and consider other appropriate courses of action.

Application Details-

Refers to both Project A – M7/M8 Portlaoise to Castletown/Cullahill PPP Motorway Scheme & Project B M7 Castletown – Nenagh

Both commissions will be run together and applications for either project should be delivered to Laois County Council by the specified closing dates.

Applications for Stage I must contain the following information

A typed one page proposal outlining ideas and concepts for the piece Two to four illustrations or images for the purpose of communicating practical and artistic content. A completed application form Up to date CV Images of previous work (applicants submitting digital info should do so on disc using open standard formats). Estimated budget and time scale for completion

Application for Stage II must contain the following information

A typed two page proposal (approx.) outlining concept for the piece Details of materials to be used and maintenance requirements Sufficient models, illustrations etc for the purpose of communicating scale, proportion, materials, and artistic content Satisfactory evidence of safety and durability including engineers report, method statement and works programme which will comply with Health and Safety legislation. Detailed budget analysis Detailed schedule giving evidence to prove ability to deliver within budget and on time. Support and resources required. Other supporting information as may be requested by the panel at stage 1. Short listed artists will be paid a concept development fee of €500 to work on a detailed proposal for final selection. The fee will be paid on receipt of a satisfactorily detailed submission.

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Applications must be clearly addressed to Public Art Commissions – Project A M7/M8 Portlaoise to Castletown/Cullahill PPP Motorway Scheme Or Project B M7 Castletown – Nenagh as appropriate The Arts Office Laois County Council Áras an Chontae Portlaoise Co. Laois

Applications will be assessed using the following criteria

Quality of proposal presented both on a standalone basis and with reference to other competing applicants and in relation to the brief. Assessment of the likelihood that the commission will make a strong artistic statement in relation to contemporary arts practise and has developmental aspects to the artists own work. Visual and spatial impact. Understanding of the physical, social and cultural context of the work. The feasibility, safety and durability of the commission.

Payments:

Stage I Applications Laois County Council shall not be liable for any costs or expenses in respect of successful or unsuccessful Stage 1 applicants.

Stage II Applications Laois County Council shall issue an official order for Stage 2. Short listed artists will be paid a concept development fee of €500 to work on a detailed proposal for final selection. The Council will not be liable for any costs or expenses in excess of €500 (inc. vat and all other charges). Payment will follow the receipt of an invoice after presentation of a satisfactorily detailed submission.

The Successful Applicant A contract will be entered into with Laois County Council. The successful applicant shall agree a payment schedule as part of the contract. Payments shall be made in accordance with the schedule outlined in the contract upon receipt of invoices and successful completion of the work. A valid tax clearance or C2 certificate is required. Evidence of appropriate insurance and safe pass is required. All work must be carried out in accordance with the 1998 Health and Safety Act; 1993 Regs. Safe work practice guidelines must be provided where necessary.

The Local Authorities are subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1997. If you submit information which you consider to be of a commercially sensitive nature please indicate on the application.

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PUBLIC ART COMMISSIONS M7 ROAD PROJECTS

Please tick which project your application relates to:

Project A: M7/M8 Portlaoise to Castletown/Cullahill PPP Motorway Scheme

Project B : M7 Castletown – Nenagh

Application Form

Name: ______

Address: ______Tel ______

______Mobile ______

______Email ______

Date: ______

Signed: ______

I wish to apply for this commission and enclose the following

(please tick)

Typed proposal.

Maximum 10 photographs/images/catalogues, etc. labelled

Current CV

Budget and Time-scale Estimate

Title of Piece ______

S.A.E. for return of proposal

NB Proposals will not be returned if an S.A.E. of correct size and postage is not supplied.

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F reedom of information Applicants completing this form should note that information provided to the Arts Office, Laois County Council may be disclosed in response to a request made under the Freedom of Information Act (1997 and 2003). Every effort will be made to protect client confidentiality.

G E N E R A L IN F O R M A T IO N Where did you hear about the competition (please tick to indicate)

County Council Website Media

By Post from Arts Office Other Please specify______

Declaration

I have read the conditions, agree to be bound by them, and certify that the information in this application is correct to the best of my knowledge.

Signed______Date ______

Application forms should be returned, and clearly addressed as follows: M7/M8 Portlaoise to Castletown/Cullahill PPP Motorway Scheme Percent for A rt Commission, The A rts Office, Laois County Council, Á ras an Chontae, Portlaoise O R Project B M7 Castletown – Nenagh Percent for A rt Commission The A rts Office, Laois County Council, Á ras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co Laois.

Closing date for the receipt of completed applications is Thursday 14th July 2011 Please note that the Arts Office, Laois County Council will not accept applications received after the closing date and time.

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