BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

13.2 - Attachment 3

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

FROM ARAKWAL ARTISTS AND CREATIVES FOR INDIGENOUS ARTWORK ON BYRON SHIRE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

Introduction

This document outlines the background and details for developing indigenous artwork concept designs and installation on Byron Shire Water Infrastructure. This brief relates directly to the Paterson’s Hill Water Reservoir and Wategos Water Reservoir.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding between  Bundjalung of Byron Bay Aboriginal Corporation (Arakwal) and  Byron Shire Council are calling for expressions of interest from indigenous artists interested in submitting concept designs for artwork on two water reservoirs in Byron Bay. Both reservoirs are in prominent locations, as described below. Due to the high profile locations, this art installation is considered an opportunity to showcase local indigenous artwork and demonstrate commitment to the Memorandum of Understanding between Byron Shire Council and Bundjalung of Byron Bay (Arakwal) Aboriginal Corporation.

It is also an opportunity to express some of the community core values and key messages to locals and visitors alike. A copy of the destination brand guidelines have been provided to assist with understanding the community core values and key brand messages which may be appropriate, or may trigger some other creative ideas.

Proposals may be submitted for one or more parts of the following tasks:

1.    Artwork concept designs and installation of artwork on the Paterson’s Hill Water Reservoir, and/or

2.    Artwork concept designs and installation of artwork on the Wategos  Water Reservoir

The Public Art Assessment Panel will be overseeing the artistic process as governed by the Public Art Guidelines and Criteria and Public Art Policy.

This is one of two briefs. This brief includes two large water reservoirs and the second brief is for artistic treatment to Sewer Pump Stations around the Shire.

Background

A: Memorandum of Understanding

Following Native Title Claims in the 1990’s, an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) between the Federal Government and the Bundjalung of Byron Bay Arakwal People was developed to implement part of these Native Title Claims. A further Native Title Claim was made resulting in two more ILUAs which were signed in 2006.

Byron Shire Council entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Bundjalung of Byron Bay Aboriginal Corporation (Arakwal) in July 2013. A key part of the MOU is to develop public art opportunities for Arakwal people to have artistic and cultural expression.

B: Public Art on Water Infrastructure in Byron Shire

Many of Council’s water assets are the subject of graffiti and other damage. It has been identified that public art may be a solution some way towards the problem with the aim of achieving a tidier, more beautiful Shire and a chance to showcase local artists work.

Council have invested significant resources in developing the Byron Bay Town Centre Masterplan as outlined below. Beautifying the Shires water infrastructure supports the Masterplan and efforts to improve the town centre.

The dimensions of the reservoirs are:

·    Paterson Street – Wall height 5.5 metres / Circumference – 77 metres

·    Wategos – Wall height – 4.5 metres / Circumference 37 metres. This location only needs painting/ artistic treatment around half of the reservoir.

Photos of the sites are provided below (taken in July 2015).

Whilst the type and style of artwork is open, due to the size of Paterson’s Hill Water Reservoir, a mural may be the appropriate treatment. However the Wategos Water Reservoir may lend itself to other treatments such as a digital image on bannermesh.

Wategos Water Tank                                                 

Patterson’s Hill Water Tank                                                                            Highly visible

C: Primary Brand: Byron (Don’t Spoil Us, We’ll Spoil You)

Byron Shire Council developed a new identity/ brand for Byron Shire, which aims to attract appropriate visitor markets, extend visitor length of stay and encourage visitor dispersal throughout the Shire. The Visual Identity Guide for the Byron brand is attached. The brand was developed with considerable community consultation and is based on the community core values (listed in the Visual Identity Guide).

A communications strategy to implement the brand seeks to, over time, change the visitor type by overcoming the Byron Bay party-town image and attract visitors to Byron Shire that respect and love the Shire as much as the locals do.

The brand is simply ‘Byron’. The brand essence is: “Byron Shire has an energy, an attitude, and a sense of community. It’s the people who live here and love this place, that make it what it is. It’s the musicians, the elders, the artists, the plumbers, the farmers, the surfers, the healers, the councillors, the millionaires, the buskers, the writers, the greenies, the capitalists, the misfits.”

D: Byron Bay Town Centre Masterplan

The Byron Bay Town Centre Masterplan is almost finalised. The Masterplan will provide the framework for a completely revitalised town centre while ensuring Byron Bay’s character is preserved and enhanced.

Byron Bay is a town where the community have strong values and beliefs that has created a culture where sustainable practices and alternate ways of living, play a crucial role in the way our community chooses to lead their lives. This culture is a key ingredient that defines Byron Bay and will be harnessed, preserved and celebrated in the development of a town centre masterplan.

When completed, the Masterplan will promote the town’s natural environment, relaxed atmosphere, spiritual and cultural diversity, health and well-being experiences, innovative enterprises, and provide a consistent image for Byron Bay. This will help to attract appropriate visitor markets, extend length of stays and encourage visitor dispersal across the Shire. More importantly, an innovative place making strategy will provide a vibrant and diverse town centre for the resident population to enjoy - a place to be reclaimed.

E: Byron Shire Council – Supporting Local Public Art

Byron Shire Council support the development of the arts and creative industries as demonstrated in the Byron Shire Cultural Plan (2008 – 2013), the Arts and Creative Industries Strategy for the Byron Shire (2009 – 2012) and a Public Art Policy.

The Public Art Policy states:

·    A centre for arts and culture, the Northern Rivers is renowned for its creative communities and for its beautiful coastal and rainforest environments.

·    Culture is the expression of the history, heritage, customs, arts, recreation, creativity and values of our community. Council seeks to protect the cultural and place values of local areas and streetscapes; to reflect heritage, character and charm, in the interest of the community as whole. This policy will support the engagement of local artists to create public art works and will directly benefit the local community by generating employment, building commitment and sustainability. Furthermore, it creates opportunities for creative learning and information sharing about cultural activities.

·    Byron Shire Council recognises that the daily lives of residents and visitors can be enriched and enlivened through the presence of quality works of art in the Shire. Council also recognises that a collection of such art will attract visitors with shared values.

·    Public Art is one way to recognise local artists and values whilst adding a new dimension to public spaces in the Shire. This policy is designed to support Public Art in Byron Shire within a framework that clearly outlines the practical considerations for management and selection of such artwork. The framework will ensure the distinctiveness and mix of cultural values in each of the towns, rural villages and localities is reflected by Public Art installations. It is to be used by Council staff and external parties such as developers, architects and urban designers for commissioning new works, acquiring existing works, collection management and maintenance.

Council has developed the Public Art Guidelines and Criteria. The commissioning of any artwork by Council is undertaken using the Public Art Guidelines and Criteria. All of the documents mentioned above are available on Council’s website under ‘publications’.

Council established the Public Art Assessment Panel (PAAP) in order to provide recommendations to Council following assessment of artwork proposals. The process of commissioning this artwork will require some liaison with the PAAP as outlined in the Public Art Guidelines and Criteria (specifically section 6).

In assessing each concept the Public Art Assessment Panel aims to ensure that the successful proposal:

1.      is of a high standard in terms of design and technical and structural execution;

2.      is culturally appropriate

3.      requires low level maintenance

4.      does not pose risk or WH&S management issues

5.      best meets the requirements outlined in the project brief and Council’s broader objectives

6.      meets relevant building and safety standards

7.      does not pose any long-term conservation issues

8.      meets the requirements of the project budget

9.      will meet the specified timeframe; and

10.    is assessed on the basis of the guidelines outlined in this document and Council’s Public Art Policy.

The process will include:

1.    Interested artists submit an expression of interest (EOI)/ Proposal, including images of their previous work, a concept design for the project and proposals for the installation of the work.

2.    The EOI of the shortlisted artists will be assessed by the PAAP. This may require the artist to be present to talk to their EOI (to be confirmed).

3.    The PAAP will select a preferred concept design and make a recommendation to Council.

4.    Once Council has endorsed the preferred artwork, the successful artist will be offered a contract agreement which will outline the specific terms and conditions of the project between the stakeholders. (A sample contract is available in the Public Art Guidelines and Criteria Appendix 5)

5.    The artist will undertake the commission.

Objectives of the Engagement

1.    To provide Byron Shire Council with a creative treatment or artwork on the two water reservoirs located as indicated in Byron Bay;

a.    Expressing the Shire’s indigenous culture, creativity and values of the community in mind (communicating community core values and key messages);

b.    Will provide inspiration as viewed from a distance;

c.     Which will deter graffiti and thereby reduce, if not eliminate, the need for regular graffiti removal;

d.    Will have very minimal, if any, future maintenance costs;

e.    Will be of low risk in regards to work, health and public safety.

Scope of Works

The Artist shall provide enough information to address the objectives above, including, but not necessarily limited to the following major tasks for one or more parts of this Expression of Interest:

1.    Provide information as follows in order for the Public Art Assessment Panel to consider the expression of interest:

1.1.  submit a concept design and proposal for the installation of the work for the one or both of the  water reservoirs

1.2.  a proposal of the artwork (ie the details of materials, etc) (a pro forma is available to use based on Appendix 9 of the Public Art Guidelines and Criteria)

1.3.  a maintenance manual (a pro forma is available to use based on Appendix 6 of the Public Art Guidelines and Criteria)

1.4.  a public art risk assessment (a pro forma is available to use based on Appendix 10 of the Public Art Guidelines and Criteria)

1.5.  submit samples or images of previous work demonstrating your experience on similar projects

2.    If requested, be available to speak to your expression of interest with the Public Art Assessment Panel members (to be confirmed).

3.    If successful, artwork to be installed by the artist according to the concept design approved by Council.

Timeline

EOI’s must be lodged with Council prior to the deadline, being 4pm Friday 15 January 2016.

Milestone	Date	Payment schedule
Proposals to be submitted by 4pm	15 January 2016
Milestone 1 – Commission commences (contract to be signed)	March 2016	50%
Milestone 2 – artwork is installed, practical completion  and project evaluation finalised	27 May 2016	50%

Enquiries to Joanne McMurtry, Community Policy Officer, Byron Shire Council on phone 6626 7316 or via email joanne.mcmurtry@byron.nsw.gov.au