Cherryburn, Artist brief Commission 2020 Project contact: Kay Owen, Operations Manager Kay.Owen@nationaltrust.org.uk www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cherryburn

Bewick’s Wood Engraving

The National Trust and The Society of Wood Engravers are offering a 5 month residency and commission opportunity for a contemporary visual artist at Cherryburn.

Images © Colin Davison, National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

The National Trust About us We're a charity that works to preserve and protect historic places and spaces ‐ for ever, for everyone.

We protect some of the most important spaces and places in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We take care of historic houses, gardens, mills, coastline, forests, woods, fens, beaches, farmland, moorland, islands, archaeological remains, nature reserves, villages and pubs ‐ and then we open them up for ever, for everyone.

This project is part of Trust New Art https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/trust-new-art-exhibitions-and-events the National Trust’s programme of contemporary arts which is supported by partnerships with Arts Council England and the Arts Council of Wales.

©National Trust, image Andrew Butler

Cherryburn This is the fourth contemporary arts opportunity at Cherryburn, the birthplace of Thomas Bewick - artist, wood engraver and naturalist.

This is an opportunity for an artist looking to develop their practice in a unique and beautiful setting, through collaboration with local communities. The commission is a joint celebration of the centenary of the founding of the Society of Wood Engravers.

Marcus Coates Conference for the Birds Cherryburn, 2019 Conference for the Birds, Marcus Coates 2019,

Cherryburn

Response to brief We are seeking to commission an artist to spend time across the site and produce a body of new work informed by the natural environment, wildlife of Cherryburn and legacy of Bewick, whose work continues to inspire contemporary artists.

We welcome an approach that strives to respond to Cherryburn’s Spirit of place (Page 6) and the project’s key aims (Page 7).

We are looking for an artist with an interest in wood engraving. Artist is used in the singular within this document, but equally we would welcome submissions from partnerships or collectives.

WE NEED AN IMAGE HERE – MARK fARI

Spirit of place

Over a lifetime, the artist and engraver Thomas Bewick drew inspiration from Cherryburn. This was the base from which he made his childhood explorations into the natural world, and the place to which he gravitated time and again as a man.

Here he learned about nature, found pleasure in observing it, and developed his talent for drawing it. Here, too, began his lifelong passion for understanding and protecting the countryside.

It still offers these possibilities today: the burn itself may have long since dried up, but Bewick would still recognise this farmstead, the pocket of countryside in which it sits and the wildlife which flourishes here.

‘Spirit of place’ is a document that forms the core of each of our properties, representing their own unique themes, all responses to this brief should incorporate this.

Our theme: Noticing nature and drawing inspiration

Key project aims

The most successful responses to brief will incorporate an understanding of the below aims, and an awareness of how to work with the NT to ensure they are delivered.

1.  Telling the story in an accessible and innovative way that will draw out relevant parallels between the impact his illustrations and publications had on society in his day and our world today.

2.  To explore the place, landscape and conservation in the context of Cherryburn and the surrounding area through its natural and historical heritage.

3.  To ‘teach, move and inspire’ visitors through something unexpected that prompts new perspectives and understandings of Bewick, Cherryburn, National Trust and the Society of Wood Engravers.

4.  To engage local audiences and young people not currently engaging with the arts or engaging a little with art practice and nature.

5.  To expose wood block engraving to a new audience.

6.  To provide a platform for contemporary wood engraving.

Commission timeline Date Location Budget

Deadline for expression of interest 9th December 2019

Up to 4 artists invited to create a full proposal, further details issued

11th December 2019 See next page

Site visit To be arranged by artists and National Trust staff

Cherryburn Travel expenses*

Proposal submission deadline 13th January 2020

Interview date for 4 selected artists 15th January 2020 Cherryburn Travel expenses*

Successful artist appointed Week commencing 20th January 2020

Research and development 20th January to May (Concept sign off meeting February 2020 TBC)

See next page

Installation Week commencing 8th June 2020 Exhibition 13th June – 1st November 2020

Workshops with schools (dates TBC)

See next page

De-installation Week commencing 2nd November (dates TBC)

Walking Looking and Telling Tails, Mark Fairnington, 2018, Cherryburn

Budget for successful commission

Fees and materials

This is to cover time for workshops, research & development, liaison with the Cherryburn team, a talk at Cherryburn and attendance for the installation, launch and maintenance to be agreed, and de-installation time and costs. There is a material budget for the artwork. There is flexibility between these budgets, depending on materials and processes used.

The copyright and ownership remain with the artist, and NT will request use of related imagery for an indefinite period.

Activity or expenditure Budget

Development of proposal prior to interview

£400*

Artists travel on appointment

£500

Production costs £7,200

Artists Fee, as outlined £5,000

*Please note to receive payment you will need to be registered as a supplier for the National Trust, this will require completion of paper work and proof of public liability insurance

Expression of interest

©National Trust, image Chris Lacey

How to submit If you are interested in being considered for this commission, please send an Expression of Interest, which should include the following:

CV or biographical statement, why you are interested in this opportunity (up to 400 words) and up to 6 images of your work.

Please save as a PDF or Jpeg. Sounds and video files must be send in a format that can be opened by Mac and PC.

Please email to: kay.owen@nationaltrust.org.uk

Shortlisted artist will be invited to write a proposal for the commission and will be invited to interview on the 11th December 2019. Please note: Due to a high volume of applicants we will not be able to offer feedback for Expressions of Interest

Birds want you to listen to their songs, Juneau Projects, 2017, Cherryburn

Partners:

Trust New Art helps to grow people’s love of our special places by using contemporary arts to explore and express ‘Spirit of Place’. It is supported by partnerships with Arts Council England. The programme helps to build new and repeat audiences for the arts and our properties and follows the Trust’s approach to programming. It provides commissioning and career opportunities to both emerging and established artists and has become recognised in the arts sector as a mark of quality. In 2020 there are eight TNA projects in the North region exploring different aspects of Art and Environment, Nature and Culture.

Trust New Art