Building Peace through the Arts – Re-Imaging Communities
Belfast City Council City Cemetery Decorative Arts Project ref 10734
Recruitment of an Artist Facilitator
Belfast City Council wishes to recruit an experienced artist facilitator or facilitation team to
carry out community consultation and creative engagement to inform a re-imaging project for
Belfast City Cemetery.
THIS WORK IS PART OF THE FIRST STAGE OF A PUBLIC ART PROJECT. THE
OUTCOME WILL BE A REPORT COLLATING INFORMATION FOR INCLUSION IN THE
BRIEF FOR A NEW PUBLIC ARTWORK.
Background
Belfast City Cemetery is sacred ground with strong connections to its citizens. The legacy of
the conflict and escalating issues of sectarian, racist and antisocial behaviour including graffiti
and damage has adversely affected visitor numbers; this project proposes to raise awareness
and appreciation of the site as a place of burial for people of all faiths and none as well as a
valuable historical and heritage resource for Belfast. It is proposed that the central benefit of
the project will be the removal of perceived barriers of access to the sacred site to citizens,
bereaved relatives, and visitors.
The people interred here are diverse and represent a wide range of faiths, backgrounds and
ethnicities; over the years however it has geographically become part of the West of the city
and due to issues outlined above there are communities and stakeholders that do not visit the
site because of negative perceptions in terms of safety, crime and access. The project seeks
to help address and reduce these issues with sensitive consultation with all appropriate
stakeholders and communities, building upon positive communications and facilitating cross
community relations. Taking part in a single identity, and later, in cross community workshops,
participants will learn new skills and establish connections with others whom they would not
normally meet; these connections will enhance the social capital of the local area. The artist
facilitator(s) will use these workshops to explore issues of cultural identity, diversity and the
Cemetery as a shared space remaining mindful of the fact that the site is a place of rest. The
facilitator(s) will create a report on findings that will inform the next stage of the process (full
requirement below).
Interviews will take place in Belfast City Hall on Thursday 15th May 2014.
The selection panel will consist of;
1. Aidan Crean, Chair, Cairde Páirc na Bhfál (Friends of Falls Park)
2. Bobby Foster, Events and Programmes Manager, Spectrum Centre
3. Deirdre Robb, Development Officer, Visual Arts, Arts Council of Northern Ireland
The remit of the artist facilitator will be to:
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creatively engage with key groups and individuals, assisted by the steering group;
sensitively facilitate groups and assist in the peace-building process by opening up
communication between project stakeholders
investigate potential themes for the artwork including site selection, mindful of the
sensitivity of the site on sacred ground and the nuances developing from Belfast as a
post conflict city
oversee monitoring and evaluation of workshops;
ascertain all the considerations to inform the development of a brief for the public
artwork, including planning permission and requirements, land ownership and any
other technical considerations.
The artist facilitator will produce a report on the findings of the above, with
recommendations, and present to the project steering group. This report will include:
the themes and outcomes of the workshops; monitoring and evaluation information on
participants and any considerations informing the development of the brief.
In order to avoid a Conflict of Interest arising, the successful Facilitator under Stage 1
shall not be eligible to compete to design the final artwork, and no person shall be
permitted to be awarded both contracts.
Timeframe
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Consultation workshops will commence by 2nd June and will be completed by 11th
August 2014
Presentation of report to steering group by 29th August 2014.
Where the position is defined as Regulated Activity under the Safeguarding Vulnerable
Groups (NI) Order 2007 (as amended by the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012) an
Enhanced Disclosure with Barred List check will be carried out on the preferred
applicant.
The Building Peace through the Arts – Re-Imaging Communities Programme themes
are community cohesion, regeneration through the arts, positive relations at the local
level, peace and reconciliation, connecting communities.
For more information on the programme including the guidelines refer to the link below.
http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/award/re-imaging_communities.htm
Requirement
Submissions should include the following elements:
1. Applicant details: i.e. up to date CV detailing relevant skills, qualifications
and experience in the facilitation of creative peace-building workshops,
preparation and presentation of reports. Please submit 6 samples of your
work (if applicable to your art form) and references from 2 previous groups
you have worked with.
2. Methodology: outline the consultation techniques that you will employ to
promote engagement at the workshops (participants are likely to come
from diverse backgrounds and have a wide range of abilities). The
outcomes of the workshops will inform the content of the brief for the
public artwork. Also outline how you would prepare and present a report
of your findings.
3. The fee is £2,310.00 which includes materials, artist fees, research costs,
report costs and travel. Please provide a breakdown of all costs inclusive
of VAT.
Selection Criteria
Artist facilitator(s) will be shortlisted against the following criteria:
70% for experience of community engagement with a wide range of groups and abilities;
facilitation of cross-community and minority ethnic groups is desirable; preparation and
presentation of reports, relevant knowledge, communication skills.
20% for methodology please note that the steering group will agree the final methodology
with the selected artist facilitator(s).
10% for value for money
The total threshold score is 60%. Applicants must score 60% or more to be eligible for
interview. The selection panel will shortlist up to 5 submissions for interview.
Please note that submissions that do not contain the information requested will not be
assessed i.e. a clear outline of your experience and a full CV and references, your
proposed methodology for the project, budget with a full breakdown of costs, and
samples of your work (if applicable to your art form).
Submission
Submissions must be returned in an envelope and addressed to
Lisa Mackle, Parks and Leisure Department, Belfast City Council, 2nd Floor, Adelaide
Exchange, 24-26 Adelaide Street, Belfast BT2 8DG;
By: 12 noon on Tuesday 6th May 2014.
Only those quotations received by the instructed date & time will be considered.
Submissions by fax or electronic mail will not be considered.
Receipts will be issued on request for hand delivered submissions.
Further Information
In case of a technical query please contact:
Name: Lisa Mackle
Tel: 028 9032 0202 ext. 6036
Email: macklel@belfastcity.gov.uk
In case of a procurement query please contact:
Siobhan Boyle, BSO (Procurement)
Tel: 028 9027 0350
Email: siobhan.boyle@belfastcity.gov.uk
This project is part- financed by the European Union’s Programme for Peace and Reconciliation
(PEACE III) managed by the Special EU Programmes Body; the Arts Council of Northern Ireland; and
the International Fund for Ireland.