Open call for Experienced Outdoor/Mural Artist

Manchester College is inviting expressions of interest from artists with previous experience of painting outdoor work / mural works; who would like to be considered for creating work on a their East Campus.

THE BRIEF

2020/21 has been a unique and difficult year for many, and for our students and colleagues it has been a time of worry, uncertainty and change.

Throughout this time, our students and staff have exemplified the resilience, positivity and aspiration that is at the heart of The Manchester College and UCEN Manchester.

The purpose of the mural is to create a ‘visual time capsule’ that encapsulates the feelings, fears and hopes for the future of our students and colleagues throughout the pandemic.

Although the mural will be a visual representation of the challenges of the pandemic, the predominant theme will be that of hope, opportunity and aspiration.

The mural will represent a forward look to a more positive future and showcase the opportunity and aspiration that being part of the TMC and UCEN Manchester community brings.

We are looking for a final artwork that:

-  Reflects themes of positivity and are uplifting for future students

-  Reflects the theme without a literal or figurative depiction of Covid and Lockdown

-  That are sympathetic to the surroundings and the maturity of students who attend the college

THE SITE

The campus is sited in Open Shaw, East Manchester.
The wall is on the main campus building and is a white rendered rectangular space of approximately 6.5 metres wide and 1 meters tall. Access by scaffold or scissor lift can be discussed with the projects managers. (See Images)

TIMELINE

We are proposing to visually mark this commitment through the creation of a mural outside Whitworth House that will be unveiled in line with the opening of the new Openshaw campus in September 2021.

EOI Deadline: 30th June
Shortlisting by a college faculty panel and a student panel: 1st July Interviews: 6th / 7th July
Selected candidate informed and begins design process: 8th July Consultation with student panel on first drafts: 28th July
Final sign of of artwork: 4th August
Prep and installation period: Between 9th - 30th August

THE ARTIST

We are seeking applications from artists who live in the North West area and are available to travel to work in Manchester.

We are seeking artists who are available to work to the timescales set out above and have experience in painting works in the public realm before.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Due to the short timescale of this project we are asking for an expression of interest in the project so we can see your work, and consider new artists for shortlisting.

There is no obligation to provide design works or ideas to be con sided for this project, but we will accept any suggestions you may have about your desire to design an artwork for this project.

Please provide a link to your website or a pdf document with images of relevant works.