COMPETITION BRIEF

We’re calling for artists from all disciplines to put forward their ideas for an art installation at our Elm Fields Farm scheme in Coventry.

Entrants have creative freedom to lay out their entries as they see best but it should be no longer than 10, A4 pages and should be submitted as a PDF.

Judges will be scoring entries against three criteria:

Environment

  • What is the wider impact of the materials used in the artworks; are they earth-friendly and resilient/hardwearing?
  • Similarly, what is the wider impact of the manufacturing/creative process to create and/or install the piece; is it emission intensive?
  • Where possible, artists should demonstrate how they will reduce the carbon footprint of their proposed work. This could include the use of local materials, ethical sourcing, manufacturing and transport.
  • The piece of art will remain in situ for the foreseeable and should require minimal maintenance investment.

Meaningful design

  • Does the piece act as a significant and exciting experience for those living within the community and those visiting the area?
  • Artists should show how their research has informed and localised their idea to produce a meaningful and relevant piece.
  • As the winning artist will be delivering multiple pieces, entries should include a brief overview of the artists approach to creating public art, indicating how they would propose working with Stonewater’s colleagues and communities to develop any future artworks.
  • Submitted designs should stimulate engagement with the community, artists will therefore need to consider how the final work will complement the scheme – whilst factoring in health and safety.

Budget

  • Each entry should outline estimated costs for the creation of the proposed piece.
  • For this brief, artists have the budget of £80,000+ VAT* and should include materials, fabrication, installation and logistics.
  • Competing artists will need to consider any planning implications from their proposal and, where appropriate, include any relating costs within the budget.

*The winning artist will be allocated a budget for each public art installation, which will vary depending on the size of the development.

Artist/ StudioBad | Location/ Ewyas Harold, Herefordshire

The Prize

The winner of Stonewater’s Blunden Prize 2024 will receive a cash prize of £75,000, which will be paid in instalments as outlined in the terms and conditions.

The winner will also be commissioned to produce their piece for Elm Fields Farm, which has an allocated budget of £80,000.

The winner will also receive two further Stonewater commissions – to curate two additional pieces of public art for two sites anywhere in the UK. The location, budget and brief for these additional two commissions will be shared with the winning artist.

Two runners up will receive a commission from Stonewater to curate a piece of public art for a site anywhere in the UK. The location, budget and location of this site will be shared with each artist.

Timings

Entries open: Monday 4th March 2024

Q&A webinar about the prize to be hosted: week commencing 8th April

Entries close: 12:00 midday Friday 26th April 2024

Judging: week commencing 20th May

Shortlist announcement: 29th May

Finalist interviews: 20th June

Finalist announcement: 11th July