Short Description
Eastleigh Borough Council is inviting submissions from Artists or an Artist Collective to develop and deliver a public art commission providing artistic seating in green spaces across Hedge End, West End, and Botley.
Vision Statement
Co-creating bespoke, artistic seating to encourage the enjoyment of green spaces.
Project Background
Eastleigh Borough Council is committed to supporting Public Art as a contributing factor in ‘building strong, vibrant and healthy communities’ (EBC Public Art Strategy).
Developer’s Contributions for public art have been secured as part of the planning obligations for the Boorley Park development. Following the adoption of the Vision for Public Art in Hedge End, West End and Botley, new public art commissioning in the area seeks to deliver against the Guiding Principle of co-creation described in the Vision.
Eligibility
The Council welcomes proposals from across the creative disciplines, including interdisciplinary approaches between Artists and collaborators of their choosing.
EBC will only contract a professional Artist or Artist Collective for this commission.
The Appointed Artist will therefore be expected to:
- have a demonstrable track record of delivering Public Art projects
- have valid Public Liability Insurance of not less than £2,000,000.00
- Prepare risk assessments, method statements, and any other health and safety documentation as required for the project
- Management agreements with and payments to any collaborators/subcontractors
- manage their own National Insurance contributions and income tax, and supply details such as UTR and NI number or company number and VAT number (if registered) when requested. Sole Traders will be required to complete a Freelance Declaration Form.
The Appointed Artist can be of any nationality but must have the legal right to work in the UK.
How to Apply
Please submit an Expression of Interest by email to Vickie Fear, EBC Public Art Officer (pronouns: she/her)
by midday on Monday 24 November: vickie.fear@eastleigh.gov.uk
Expression of Interest
To apply for this project, please submit the following as a single pdf attachment*:
- Your name/ the name of your company or collective
- Contact details including email, phone number and current address
- Links to your website, any online video content about previous Public Art projects (max. three) and any professional social media accounts
- A short statement (approx. one side of A4) outlining your proposed approach to this project and how it relates to your broader practice and previous work
- Your CV
- Up to four images relevant to your proposal or previous work (not essential)
Program Benefits & Awards
- An initial budget of £500 will be offered to max. Five shortlisted Artists to develop a Commission proposal for consideration by the Steering Group.
- A total Public Art Commission budget of £65,000 is available and must cover all Artist and collaborators’/subcontractors’ fees; expenses including travel for meetings/site visits; and all production costs including materials, fabrication, installation and transport.
- A separate communications budget of £1860 is also available to support this project. This budget will be managed by the Project Manager in discussion with the Appointed Artist.
- A further budget of £10,000 will be retained for future maintenance or decommissioning of the artwork.
- A separate contingency of £10,000 has been ringfenced by EBC for this project and will be managed by the Project Manager.
Due to the restricted timescale for this project, it is not anticipated that any further fundraising will take place to increase the budget for Seated in Nature.
Entry Fee
None
Location
Eastleigh, United Kingdom
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 24 November 2025
Website Link: https://www.eastleigh.gov.uk/parks-leisure-and-culture/arts-and-culture/public-art
