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Brief for Creative Producer
for Enchanted Parks
Carol Bell
Head of Culture and Major Events, NewcastleGateshead Initiative
March 2015
Contract Overview
The purpose of this contract is to appoint a Creative Producer to manage
the delivery of the creative content for Enchanted Parks in December
2015.
Background
Enchanted Parks is an after dark arts event where public are invited to
explore Saltwell Park, Gateshead through a trail of specially
commissioned, temporary art installations in the month of December. (see
www.enchantedparks.com for more information).
Saltwell Park is a gated Victorian park in Gateshead, known locally as “the
people’s park”. It was recently restored to a high standard winning many
awards over the last few years including HLF and Green Flag and has
been voted Britain’s Best Park.
Enchanted Parks has built audiences year on year, demonstrating that
there is strong appetite from audiences for a more creative less
commercial art event in an outdoor location during the winter months.
Enchanted Parks has become a significant arts event in the North East’s
cultural calendar for both audience and artists. Younger artists and
graduates have seen the event as an opportunity for professional
development and a potential reason for graduate retention in our region. In
2014 the event, which ran for five consecutive nights, attracted a capacity
audience of 22,000.
In December 2015 Saltwell Park will, once again, be transformed into a
unique outdoor after-dark arts experience, presenting high quality and
newly commissioned installations in the fields of performance, light, digital
and visual arts. We currently envisage the event to run over five
consecutive nights (Wednesday-Sunday) and we aim to attract an
audience of up to 22,000 people from NewcastleGateshead, the wider
North East region and the rest of the UK.
Enchanted Parks is also part of an emerging network of outdoor light
festivals across the North of England known as Lighting up the North
(LUTN). NewcastleGateshead Intiative in partnership with Make it York
provide a central coordination role for this network, which allows partners,
to share learning and good-practice. The network supports partners to see
each other’s events and share learning and best practice.
At its heart, Enchanted Parks focuses on the creation of a high quality
immersive and creative experience for a large public audience. It provides
an unusual and unique artistic interaction for audiences in a creative and
physically accessible location. Saltwell Park was first used as part of the
Winter Festival programme in 2006 by NewcastleGateshead Initiative and
Gateshead Council, working with Glasgow based NVA. From 2007 to 2012
we have worked with production company, Magnetic Events.
In 2013 we engaged Katy Fuller of Pinwheel to work as Creative Producer,
Katy worked with us to deliver two successful events in 2013 and 2014, we
are delighted that Katy has been offered the position of Producer for Hull
City of Culture in 2017, this new role means that she is unable to continue
working with us on Enchanted Parks. We are therefore seeking to appoint
a new Creative Producer to further develop Enchanted Parks in 2015 and
potentially beyond.
Creative Producer Role
The specific tasks of the Creative Producer may vary dependant on
particular areas of expertise, we have set out below some of the key tasks:
Devising an imaginative and inspiring narrative;
Using knowledge of practising artists to solicit appropriate proposals
Selecting work using a curatorial overview rather than just based on the
merits of the individual piece;
Working with artists to adapt their individual ideas so that the whole is
more coherent.
Taking a curatorial approach to the planning of the route and the placing
of the artworks with the audience experience at the forefront.
Advising on possible collaborators and brokering relationships between
commissioned artists and also other external partners.
Working closely and supportively with commissioned artists and the
Production Manager to ensure the best chance of delivering a highquality piece.
Working with artists on their budget before it is finalised; being present
at site visits, talking through options / solutions for technical delivery.
The appointed Creative Producer will be expected to:
Work closely with Head of Culture and Major Events, Carol Bell,
NewcastleGateshead Initiative’s Culture Team and Marketing and PR
Teams, Gateshead Council and the Production Manager and safety
and Operations manager to successfully deliver the event.
Report regularly to the Commissioning group made up of
representatives of Gateshead Council and NewcastleGateshead
Initiative’s Culture Team.
Be conversant with the range of creative and technical processes and
requirements that are likely to be necessary to achieve successful
delivery.
Work in partnership with the appointed Production Manager and Health
and safety Manager to commission or secure the services of all safety
and logistical providers and wherever possible ensure that local
organisations and individuals are engaged in the delivery of this work.
Pre-Event Timeline
The appointed Creative Producer will be expected to undertake the
following roles and responsibilities:
Phase One May – July
Develop a creative overview for Enchanted Parks 2015 including
suggesting potential artists / arts organisations that might be
approached to produce commissions
Produce options for a route that the commissions will be placed
Support artists whose commissions include work with community
groups to ensure that these opportunities are maximised (working with
Gateshead Arts Development)
Provide guidance on our approach with Key Universities and FE
colleges to incorporate opportunities for under and post graduate
students studying at these institutions
Phase Two Sept - Dec
Deliver a project overview and ensure that the Production Manager
takes the lead on the necessary event logistics to ensure the event is
visually stunning, run safely and is open to the public on time
Take responsibility for the overall management of the commissions
Budget (working closely with the Production Manager on the event
production budget) providing detailed financial updates to the Head of
Culture and Major Events on a regular basis.
Adhere to marketing deadlines to ensure that the event is promoted
effectively.
During the Event
Ensure that the highest possible production values are achieved,
making the experience as magical as possible for the audience, from
beginning to end.
Deal with unexpected and unforeseen issues or problems.
Provide onsite management each evening.
Post Event
Provide the necessary Evaluation & Post Event Reporting for
NewcastleGateshead Initiative and Gateshead Council including
feedback from commissioned artists and details of any future
commission opportunities
Provide final budgets
Creative Producer Specifications
Excellent knowledge and understanding of commissioning of outdoor
work across a broad range of art forms.
Proven track record of planning, managing and producing complex
high quality artistic outdoor events for a large public audience.
Experience of working with multiple organisations within tight
deadlines.
An understanding of UK health and safety regulations.
Experience of working with licensing, building control, fire officers and
the police regarding public performances or installations.
Line management experience, and a basic understanding of technical
requirements necessary for the successful delivery of an event of this
scale.
Solid financial management skills, including evidence of experience of
developing and managing budgets and financial reporting.
Good working knowledge of the North East region and the partner
organisations involved in this project.
Excellent spoken communication skills and ability to respond flexibly to
the needs of a wide range of staff, as well as to convey project
information clearly to non-specialists.
Strong organisational and timekeeping skills.
Ability to prioritise workload and respond to changing circumstances.
Ability to work on own initiative and also as part of a team.
Experience of working with project assistants and volunteers.
Awareness of equality and diversity issues and legislation.
Draft Fee and Payment schedule
TIME PERIOD
May to July
TOTAL
£4,000
Sept to end of Fest
£8,000
£12,000
Application process
Applicants are requested to provide a written proposal (2 sides maximum)
which should include:
Details of how the applicant meets the person specification for the role
including details of background and experience.
An outline of the proposed approach to the project and the methodology
to be used, including key areas of expertise
An outline timetable and breakdown of the number of days to be spent
on the project, detailing fees and associated costs.
A CV (2 sides maximum) should also be provided.
The contract will be awarded taking account of the following factors:
Quality of the response to roles and responsibilities outline
Demonstration of experience relating to the specification
Value for money, based on the contractor’s proposal
Deadline for applications is midday on Friday 17th April
Shortlisted candidates will be notified by Monday 20th April
Provisional Interview date: Interviews will take place on Wednesday 22nd
April (interviews could be conducted via Skype for out of region
applicants)
Proposals should be submitted via email to [email protected] Any
queries regarding this contract should be directed to [email protected]
or by phone ring Carol Bell 07932642762
Background of Event with Roles and Responsibilities of the
Overall Enchanted Parks Team and objectives of the event
Enchanted Parks is a key part of NewcastleGateshead Initiative’s
festival and events programme as well as a highlight of the
NewcastleGateshead Winter Festival programme. See
www.enchantedparks.com
Enchanted Parks is developed by NewcastleGateshead Initiative in
partnership with Gateshead Council’s Public Art and Arts Development
Teams as the commissioners of this event. The objectives of these
commissioners are set out below.
The Delivery Team for Enchanted Parks in 2015 consists of Head of
Culture and Major Events (NGI), Programme Development Manager
(NGI), Culture Team assistant (NGI) Arts Development Officer
(Gateshead Council) Public Arts Officer (Gateshead Council), the
appointed Creative Producer, Creative Producers assistant, Production
Manager and Safety and Operations Manager, alongside production
and front of house teams (a mix of freelance staff and volunteers).
The appointed Creative Producer will work closely with the
commissioners to develop the overaching artistic vision of Enchanted
Parks from the initial commissioning process of the artworks to the
development of the pubic experience and expectation of this event in
December 2015.
The Creative Producer will then work closely with the selected artists
and the production manager to fully realise the artists’ own vision of
their installations as well as an overarching artistic vision throughout
the park
NewcastleGateshead Initiative will manage the overall budget for the
event and provide general project management support, working in
collaboration with Gateshead Council.
NewcastleGateshead Initiative’s Marketing and Communications Team
will lead in the promotion of Enchanted Parks including the design and
creation of all marketing collateral, website and online content, press
and wider PR opportunities.
Gateshead Council’s Arts Development and Public Art Team will
support the development of the project directly through officer
involvement in the commissioning process and site planning.
Gateshead Council’s Arts Development Team will also support the
community engagement aspects of some of the commissioned
artworks.
Gateshead Arts Development Team will provide links and contacts to
the artists to ensure the event makes connections with local schools
and communities in order to support audience development through
outreach activities in advance of the event.
The Funding for Enchanted Parks is made up funds from Gateshead
Council and earned income through Box Office (In 2010 we introduced
a charge per adult for Enchanted Parks increasing to £7 and £1 in
2014) We have also submitted an application to the Arts Council. The
total budget for Enchanted Parks is in the region of £200,000.
Objectives of the Commissioners
As commissioners of the event NewcastleGateshead Initiative and
Gateshead Council have a number of objectives set out below:
To deliver an ambitious, exciting, safe and high quality outdoor arts
event which is open to the public for a period of five nights
(Wednesday-Sunday) 9th – 13th December 2015
To identify and directly commission identified key artworks from
selected artists who are or have the potential to develop their practice
in the field of outdoor work.
To identify key partnerships with regional and national arts
organisations and events for the purpose of collaboratively developing
work that will enrich Enchanted Parks.
To attract high-quality artists, accessing the strong network of
practicing, professional artists and creative practitioners through an
open call for submissions
To establish Enchanted Parks as part of an emerging network of Light
Festivals across the North of England.
To promote Enchanted Parks opportunities to several artist hubs
across the North including BALTIC 39, Vane Gallery, Workplace
Gallery, Lime street Studios, FACT, HOME.
To include a student commissioning process working with Northumbria
and Sunderland Universities alongside the professional commissioning
process.
To provide volunteering opportunities for FE and HE students and local
residents
To create mentoring opportunities and partnerships that allow the
development of the practice of artists, either working alongside or
collaboratively with more established artists.
To explore the possibility of work being developed to be presented
elsewhere across the UK or internationally.
To keep artist progression and development at the heart of the
commissioning process; we will continue to support the process of
creating work through to installation and presentation.
To attract a maximum audience for the event, whist not detracting from
the quality of the artistic or the customer experience