Artist Commission
BLACKROCK HALL
Primary Care Centre, Cork
BRIEFING DOCUMENT
Prepared by
the national development agency for collaborative arts
November 2013
Introduction
Create, the national development agency for collaborative arts, on behalf of HSE South Cork
Arts and Health Programme is seeking expressions of interest from artists with experience of
working within the context of Arts & Health for a unique opportunity to create site-specific
work for the HSE Floor, Blackrock Hall Primary Care Centre in Cork.
HSE South Cork Arts and Health Programme seeks to commission innovative and context
appropriate artwork(s) for its premises in Blackrock Hall Primary Care Centre. It is the first
primary care centre in Cork City located on the Southside off Skehard Road and opened in
February 2010.
Brief
HSE South Cork Arts and Health Programme is seeking proposals from artist(s) with a track
record of collaborative arts practice within the field of art and health. Proposals from cross
artform disciplines are welcomed. The commissioner is seeking innovative and
transformative contemporary art responses.
The priority for the commission is twofold. The first is to have a positive visual impact on the
physical space. Currently the space is clinical in feel and this has been identied as an issue
to address due to the community focussed nature of the Primary Care Centre. Waiting times
are on average 15 – 30mins and many of the waiting areas cater for a mix of health services
and age ranges. Three spaces on the first floor within Blackrock Hall have been identified as
a priority for response; they include two waiting rooms and the connecting corridor, which is
2 storey’s high with light coming from the upper floor (see image below).
A second priority has been identified by the commissioner and involves the creation of a
permanent multi-use exhibition space framework. It is the ambition of the Blackrock Hall
HSE team to introduce a changing programme of artistic interventions within areas of the
space, so in addition to an artistic response from artists they are also seeking assistance
with the creation of a flexible exhibition space within or across some of the identified spaces.
Corridor on first floor Blackrock Hall Primary Care Centre
Larger Waiting Room first floor Blackrock Hall Primary Care Centre
This brief invites proposals for original artwork(s) which should be informed by the context in
which the commission is taking place. Artwork(s) must be of the highest standard. It is
preferable that the artist will have experience of working in similar / relevant contexts areas.
Artform
Commissions can include work in any artform and can be achieved through collaborative
projects and / or inter-disciplinary responses. In addition to the work of individual artists there
is scope for collaborations, collective responses and interdisciplinary practices. The
proposed process must involve artists making new work as a central aspect of the
commission and engagement with key stakeholders including, service-users, staff and the
wider community.
Engagement with the Context
Successful commissions will respond to and be mindful of the nature of the building and the
needs of its users. Work must be bespoke to this environment. Selected artists will have the
opportunity to consult with key stakeholders as identified by the commissioner. Research
and understanding of the context is vital. Site visits will only be permitted by prior
arrangement during Phase Two of the selection process.
Selection process
Phase One
Professional artists are invited to submit their proposals for artworks for consideration by the
Selection Panel.
The Selection Panel will consist of:

Representatives from the Health Service Executive

An independent artist / expert

Director, Create – the national development agency for Collaborative Arts
The Selection Panel will consider the submitted proposals and make a shortlist (up to three)
of those deemed suitable to be developed further. The relevant artists will be contacted and
invited to develop their proposals further and a fee of 250 euro will be offered to those artists
to assist in the development process.
Phase Two
The Selection Panel will consider the developed proposals and recommend those which are deemed
suitable to proceed to the next step.
The Selection Panel may:

Select one or more proposal; or

Reject any or all proposals

Invite an individual artist to submit or re-submit a proposal
The Selection Panel may decide to shorten the selection process if they consider it necessary to do
so. It should also be noted that the Selection Panel can decide that no artwork is to be selected. The
Selection Panel may invite artists to meet with them and/or relevant staff members.
Fees and budget

Artists selected for shortlist will be paid a fee of €250.

The monetary budget allocated to the commission is €10,000 inclusive of fees and all
production costs.
Application procedure
Applications must include:

A statement (no longer than 2 A4 pages) including:
o
An outline of why you would like to take on this commission
o
Early thoughts on approaches to the commission
o
A description of how you would engage with the space

Budget including artist’s fees and materials

Documentation of past work

An up to date CV
Applications will be returned upon conclusion of selection if requested. While every care will be taken
with artists’ materials, no responsibility is taken by the managers of the project for items damaged or
mislaid. Artists are responsible for insuring their applications if they wish. Applicants are responsible
for the cost of delivering applications.
Other Conditions:

The artist should be aware of the ethics of working in health contexts

The commissioned artwork will have to comply with health and safety requirements
Submission Details
Closing date for submissions is 25 January at 1pm. Late applications will not be accepted.
All submitted materials are to be clearly marked with the artist’s name, contact details and
the title Artist Commission – HSE Blackrock Hall Primary Care Centre
Applications should be sent to:
Artist Commission – HSE Blackrock Hall PCC
Jane O’Rourke
Create
2 Curved Street
Dublin 2
Queries
Applicants are welcome to make enquiries regarding the commission, please direct to:
Katherine Atkinson, Tel (01) 4736600 or email katherineatkinson@create-ireland.ie