The Equality Unit of the Scottish Executive wish to commission a sculpture that will be a permanent tribute to the contribution made by women of suffrage and other women in Scotland to getting the vote for women and advancing democracy.

Background

The impetus for the commission developed after a campaign in 2004, supported by 13 MSPs, for recognition of the contribution made by suffragettes. Ministers agreed that it would be appropriate to have a permanent tribute to mark not only the contribution of the suffragettes but also of other women in Scotland who contributed in getting the vote for women and advancing democracy. It was agreed that this tribute should take the form of a sculpture, for display within the Scottish Parliament. The Executive intend to loan the commissioned piece to the Parliament.

First stage of the competition

Artists are invited to submit to the Scottish Executive by 15:00 on 19 August 2005 a proposal comprising of the following:

1. A written document (Word format) of a maximum 500 words, describing their initial ideas for the commission.

2. A copy of their current curriculum vitae highlighting relevant qualifications and experience for a commission of this nature, particularly information on their recent exhibitions and/or commissions.

3. Visuals of up to 4 pieces of appropriate recent work should be provided in jpeg format. Moving images may be provided if appropriate and should be viewable on a PC using Microsoft Media Player, but must not exceed 20 Mb to ensure they pass through the Government Secure Internet. All visuals must be of good quality, high resolution and sharply focused.

4. An initial indication of the anticipated costs relating to materials, fee and concept. The maximum available budget is £37,000.

5. A 200 word artist statement that gives a further explanation of their work to support the visuals.

6. See also Artists’ qualification requirements below.


Submissions must be emailed to Sculpture@scotland.gsi.gov.uk  and arrive no later than 15:00 on 19 August 2005. Submissions can only be accepted in email format.

The information provided at this first stage will be the basis on which no more than five artists will be invited to submit full design concepts and supporting materials. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Artists should note that the Scottish Executive reserves the right to extend the deadline for submission if they believe it is appropriate to do so, and / or to withdraw the requirement to be readvertised at an appropriate future date.

Second stage of the competition

The maximum of five shortlisted artists will be issued an Invitation to Tender by email. Artists invited to tender will be asked to submit a full design concept and supporting materials, which could take the form of drawings, models or other media, and will be invited to support their proposal with a short presentation (minimum of 10 minutes, not to exceed 15 minutes) to the evaluation panel. Full details and instructions about the tender process and the conditions of contract will be included in the Invitation to Tender documents.

The deadline for submission of full tenders will be 15:00 on 28 October 2005. Selected artists will be contacted during the week beginning 12 September 2005, giving a period of 6 weeks to work on the full design brief and concept and submit their full tender.

Award of the commission

There will be an evaluation panel comprised of people with appropriate expertise, including representatives from the Scottish Executive, the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Arts Council.

The panel will award the commission to one artist based on the submitted proposals. All five artists will be informed of the decision during the week beginning 7 November 2005.

Budget

The maximum available for producing the sculpture is £37,000. This is to include the mode of presentation which is integral to the work of art (i.e., inclusive of any plinth, glass case, plaque etc) and is the responsibility of the artist. It should also include the transportation costs of delivering the sculpture to the Parliament. The artist should liaise with the Parliament’s Art Curator about delivery options/arrangements.

Delivery of the sculpture

The deadline for the delivery of the sculpture will be 17:00 on Thursday 2 March 2006 with a view to unveiling the work in the Scottish Parliament week beginning 6 March 2006 to coincide with International Women’s Day.