Location: Entrance to FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles, County
Tipperary
Budget: €160,000, including VAT, duties and taxes
Application deadline: 12pm Friday 17 May 2024
The full details of this open call can be found via Tipperary County Council.
Introduction
Tipperary County Council (TCC) invites artists to make submissions for the creation of a permanent public art work to commemorate and celebrate Tipperary as the birthplace of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), the largest amateur sporting organisation in the world. FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary, is an iconic venue for the GAA; as the location of many Munster Finals, GAA followers and teams have battled here for the coveted Munster title for decades.
This new public art work has the potential to provide a meeting point and act as a unique place-making marker on match days and year round. This should be an iconic art work that serves to inspire and ignite the imaginations of the many future generations that will walk by, pose in front of and dream by it. It should inspire awe in those who encounter it, either in person or remotely, and it’s a celebration of Gaelic sport, Tipperary GAA and the people who play, support and manage the many codes and levels of participation across the county. It represents the uniqueness of the sport’s power to connect and inspire. It will represent the spirit and art of the GAA.
The commission
Tipperary County Council is commissioning a new permanent art work to commemorate and celebrate Tipperary as the birthplace of the GAA. This important event in the sporting and cultural history of Tipperary will be recognised by The Council through the commissioning of a Tipperary Gaelic Games art work. The art work will be located adjacent to FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles. Artists should ensure that their proposal is for a permanent bronze art work that is durable, low maintenance and suitable for a busy stadium entrance and roadside location.
Commissioning process
Up to five shortlisted Stage 2 artists will be asked to submit a proposal that should include and consider the following:
- A representational art work consisting of two life size or larger sporting figures, a female and male player of hurling/camogie and football in contemporary kit, using contemporary equipment;
- The art work will celebrate Tipperary’s pride in being the birthplace of the GAA and its enduring commitment to Gaelic games, particularly at the FBD Semple Stadium venue;
- The art work will recognise the grace, beauty and skill of Gaelic Games;
- A permanent art work in bronze;
- Located at the entrance to FBD Semple Stadium Thurles; location indicated in Appendix A.
Stage 1
This is an open submission two stage competition. Stage 1 is open to any artist with a track record in delivering representational monumental art works in bronze. It is an initial expression of interest process that will
result in the shortlisting of a maximum of five artists who will progress to Stage 2. Applicants are responsible for the cost of Stage 1 submissions.
Artists are asked not to submit a proposal or any concept drawings at this stage. Any submissions with a concept included will be excluded from the competition. Artists interested in submitting expressions of interest to Stage 1 should submit the following required documents:
- Completed application form (p.8);
- Artist statement and CV;
- Three to five examples of previous projects or relevant works (please include dates, locations, budget, dimensions and high-quality images).
Stage 2
Stage 2 will be a limited competition with a maximum of five shortlisted artists. A detailed proposal will be required at Stage 2; submissions will require detailed analysis of the concept, methodology, technical information, timeframes and finances. Visual representation of the proposed work in the context of the location will be required (using maquettes, drawings, computer generated drawings/videos or images).
Artists will be paid a fee of €1,000 on completion and submission of the Stage 2 application process.
Budget
Funding of €160,000, including VAT, has been provided by Tipperary County
Council. This includes all costs related to the art work(s), including fees, research and development, workshops, materials, installation, insurance, travel and any other expenses incurred in the production of the art work(s) including any duties, VAT or taxes. Proposals from individuals and collectives will be considered.
Site location/visits
The art work will be located at the town end gates of Semple Stadium, Thurles. The art work/s should be located within the permitted area of the site — see appendix 1. The location is fixed in line with the Part 8 Planning permission. Please note that the location is a stadium entrance and a designated emergency exit. As the site is a public space, organised site visits are not being offered. Artists visiting the site must ensure that they do so safely. Site plans and photographs are available as part of the briefing documentation — see
appendix 1.
Project delivery timeline
1 May 2024: Call for submissions published.
10 June 2024: Closing Date for receipt of Stage 1 expressions of interest.
10 July 2024: Selection panel decision made known and Stage 2 candidates informed.
10 September 2024: Stage 2 submission closing date.
10 October 2024: Stage 2 candidates informed of panel
decision.
10 November 2024: selected artist/s contract issued.
30 April 2026 (or sooner): art work installation and completion.
Queries
To find out more about applying for this Open Call, download the full Tipperary GAA Public Art Commission Brief[PDF]. For general queries, email artsoffice@tipperarycoco.ie or phone the Tipperary Arts Office Tel: 0818 06 5000.