Commission Details
Invitation for Expressions of Interest
The Opportunity - We the Curious is inviting open submissions from Bristol and South West based artists, film makers and producers to create content for audio, film, photography and interactive art exhibits in our new exhibition experience, Project What If.
This is a commission for specific media or art content provision only - the overall look and feel of the exhibition and the individual exhibit infrastructure and design is at a stage where the concepts are signed off with our exhibition designers and fabricators, and we are now looking for the creative content within a tight clear brief.
We look forward to hearing from artists, producers and filmmakers who are interested in:
Engaging audiences within an interactive exhibition setting
Making work for permanent exhibits and long term public interaction - our exhibits may be on the floor for up to 8 years
Finding new access points to ideas in science, through people centred storytelling
Delivering simple, short form content that makes people feel as well as think
Testing concepts with audiences as part of their process and incorporating learning and feedback
Process
We have exhibit commissions available to apply for in four groups:
audio
film
photo
interactive art
You may apply to take on just one, or more than one of these grouped exhibit commissions depending on your interest, skills and capacity.
With the exception of the film commission, we would prefer not to split the exhibit work within these groupings, in order to keep the number of contracts manageable, so we can dedicate the time needed to look after each grouping of work.
Within the film grouping, you may apply for all or some of the subsets of this work.
We intend to avoid asking you to provide extensive information on your creative ideas in an unpaid tender process. So for this open call we request expressions of interest - please read the accompanying exhibit briefs and criteria carefully and then provide:
An expression of interest on which of the exhibits you would like to produce content for and why, with reference to any particular approach you would like to take, or general concept you would explore (1000 max)
What interests you about We the Curious and Project What If (100 words max)
Anything else you'd like us to know about how you fit the commission criteria (100 words max)
A statement of your capacity as an individual, collective or organisation to deliver the work within budget and stated deadlines, (if you are an individual please let us know if you would be subcontracting any other practitioners to deliver the work) (50 words max)
A link to any previous work, documentation or elements of your practice or output that are most relevant to Project What If. OR
Please send a PDF (max file size 10MB) with examples of your work
Your expression of interest must be emailed with the email title "PWI exhibit content EOI" and must arrive no later than 16:00 on Wednesday 8th January 2020 to:
Key Contact: Adam Hudson Senior Project Manager We The Curious One Millenium Square Bristol BS1 5DB
Expressions of interest will be shortlisted based on our selection criteria, and the shortlist will be invited to interview at We the Curious to discuss the brief and your approach in more detail together. The dates for this interview are between Wednesday 15th January - Friday 24th January 2020
Contract value is stated for individual exhibits and groups of exihbits. Budgets are fixed and must cover your fee, any materials, equipment, time, space hire, travel and subsistence, contributor costs and any other costs incurred in the delivery of the work.
We the Curious will not be responsible for any cost incurred in the preparation or presentation of any Expression of Interest.
Key relationships
This project will include engagement with: Our internal Projects Team and our software contractors and fabricators, via our Digital Producer as your main point of contact.
Timeline
The deadline for completion of the work is the individual briefs. The tenderer will need to be able to evidence capacity to complete the work within these timescales.
| Stage | When |
|---|---|
| Site Visit Opportunity | By appointment |
| Deadline for asking Questions | Monday 23th December 2019 |
| Deadline for Submissions | Wednesday 8th January 2020 |
| Notification of selection for a face to face interview | Monday 20th January 2020 |
| Interviews | Wednesday 22th January - Friday 31th January 2020 |
| Notification of successful application | Wednesday 5th February 2020 |
| Appointed supplier to start work | Monday 10th February 2020 |
| On site installation and fit out begins | Monday 24th August 2020 |
| Contract completed | Wednesday 21st October 2020 |
| Exhibition launch | Friday 6th November 2020 |
Selection Criteria
Audio Commissions
Expressions of Interest will be considered with the following criteria:
This project is about connecting with our city of Bristol so we are weighting applications to support local talent – we are looking for applicants who live and work in Bristol or the SW region.
Approach – portfolio of work demonstrates: - an interest and skill in audio and soundscape techniques that create intimate, authentic encounters with people’s stories - that you are comfortable exploring big ideas and inspiring audiences to FEEL something as well as THINK
Connection to project – resonance as an artist with the broader exhibition aims
A talent and openness for extreme short form
Demonstration of interest and care in handling sensitive topics and concepts and personal contributions.
Demonstration that researching and sourcing contributors is a valued part of your working practice.
Willingness to test work or ideas with audiences
Capacity to deliver – a statement that demonstrates the individual or company has the capacity and resource to deliver their selected exhibit content on time and budget