Artist opportunity for The Big Game

Artist Brief
 
Lead Artist collaborator wanted for THE BIG GAME 2011
 
We are looking for a lead artist or organisation to work collaboratively with the BLAZE young producers in Nelson (Fusion) and Oswaldtwistle (Sparks), local partners including Civic Arts Centre, Hyndburn Sports Development to develop and deliver the creative content of THE BIG GAME 2011 an alternative sports event for Lancashire.
 
Blaze
 
Curious Minds are co-producing Blaze across Pennine Lancashire. Blaze is an ambitious youth-led culture and sport programme for Lancashire, Blackpool and the Fylde Coast that is part of WE PLAY, the North West cultural legacy programme for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
 
The Nelson Institute of Sport, developed the BIG GAME in 2010 young producers from the fusion youth theatre, who commissioned New York based artist Tom Rosotti to create an alternative sports event. This event included brand new games and events, which play with the idea of competition and participation. The event was held in Nelson last summer and was a very successful first event. For more information and images please visit the Blaze website:
 
http://www.blazeonline.org.uk/
 
This year we want to grow the event and two young producer groups from Nelson and Oswaldtwistle are co hosting the BIG GAME 2011 in Rhyddings Park. The years event will be bigger and better and will broaden participation from young people form across Pennine Lancashire. Ideas for this year already discussed include:
 

• An alternative opening and closing ceremony
• An alternative passing of the event torch between Nelson and Oswaldtwistle
• A viral campaign with the Blaze Bloggers to raise awareness of the event
• On the day live reporting from participants and spectators.

 
Artist Brief:
 
We are looking for an artist or arts organisation to lead the creative content of THE BIG GAME 2011 in collaboration with the young producers and their support organisations and workers to increase and enhance the creative vision and aspiration.
 
Objectives for the project are to:

• To engage with young producer groups from Nelson & Oswaldtwistle who lead on the event.
• To work collaboratively where possible with Tom Rossetti based in New York on the development of the original idea.
• To work collaboratively along side existing and new local partners.
• To oversee and develop the creative content of the event raising the aspiration and vision for the event with local partners, including deciding the final collection of games and events to be played devised by new local young peoples groups
• Work collaboratively with Hyndburn Sports development to make sure the event is well organised and structured.
• Mentoring and support identified young creative leader with in the young producers group.

 
Duration and Requirements:
 
Artists fee will be £2400 in total with 12 days @ £200 per day (or 24 sessions).
 
The project needs to be delivered between May & July, with the event-taking place on Saturday 23rd July.
 
The successful creative practitioner will be involved in planning, delivery and reflection with the Blaze team. You will need to work within the Curious Minds and Blaze ethos, building positive relationships with partners, and young people. You will also need to have a current CRB certificate (min 2 years) and public liability insurance (2 million minimum).
You will be contracted through Curious Minds and the total fee will be paid in 2 instalments – at the beginning and at the end of the project subject to agreed terms and conditions.
 
To apply:
Please provide an A4 (max 2 sides) outline, which may be bullet pointed, of the following:

• An outline of your experience, skills and attributes.
• A brief insight as to how you might approach this project.
• Any reference to websites, visual materials or practice that you would like us to see in order to exemplify your work.
• Names of two referees
• Deadline for application 5 PM Monday 23rd May 2010

 
If selected you may be asked to attend an interview on Wednesday 25th May.
 
If successful you must also be available for a resource training day on 31st May lead by Tom Rossetti for youth leader who want to create a game with their young people.
 
Please send expressions of interest to:
 
Paul Hartley – Blaze Co-producer, Curious Minds
[email protected]
 
Sara Domville – Blaze Programme Co-ordinator
[email protected]