Proposed Artwork for Pioneer Women s and Ellen Melville Hall: Expressions of Interest Request /Pānui Auckland Council requests Expressions of Interest (EOI) from artists who wish to be considered for the commission of a permanent artwork for Pioneer Women s and Ellen Melville Hall. In conjunction with the hall s revitalisation, council will commission a permanent artwork for the hall s O Connell Street façade, as shown in the rendering provided below. The artwork will express or interpret the theme of Auckland s pioneering women. Expressions of interest and qualification submissions must be made online via Smarty Grants at: https://aucklandcouncil.smartygrants.com.au/ellenmelvillehalleoi by 5:00PM on 14 October 2015. Project location Auckland Council is revitalising the Pioneer Women s and Ellen Melville Hall in conjunction with the redevelopment of Freyberg Square. With funding from the Waitematā Local Board and the city centre targeted rate, these improvements will create a new community hub in the heart of the city centre s High Street precinct. Project purpose and requirements Auckland Council seeks to commission a notable permanent artwork that innovatively expresses or interprets the theme of Auckland s pioneering women to inspire pride and awareness in all Aucklanders. Created by Auckland Council Public Art 30 September 2015
As the Pioneer Women s and Ellen Melville Hall and its surrounds hold a category B heritage place designation, the artwork must integrate appropriately with the structure, as well as add value and interest to the array of improvements being undertaken for this notable city centre hub. The selected artist will work directly with the project s design consultants to establish the artwork s materials and fabrication methodology. What to submit Please note that this EOI request is a request for qualifications only, and not for concept proposals. To express interest please provide: A professional history in up to 250 words; A statement regarding your interest in the opportunity in up to 250 words; Up to five images of your previous work; If applicable, an overview of your experience working with project teams, including with mana whenua or iwi groups, in up to 250 words. How will submissions be evaluated? Submissions will be reviewed and assessed by the project team and key stakeholders according to the criteria below: Strength of work samples (65% weighting); Rationale for interest in the opportunity (15% weighting); Evidence of professional experience, including with effective budget and timeline management, and availability (20% weighting). Following the review of submissions up to three artists will be invited to attend an on-site briefing and to develop a concept for a $1,500 fee. Subject to feedback from public consultation of the Ellen Melville Hall and Freyberg concept phase the estimated timeline is as follows;
Timeline EOI opens 1 October 2015 EOI closes 14 October 2015 Finalists contacted 21 October 2015 On site briefing 23 October 2015 Concept proposal phase 23 October 5 November 2015 Concept presentations 6 November 2015 Notification 13 17 November 2015 Contract negotiation 13 17 November 2015 Commence work with project team 17 November 2015 Estimated project completion June 2017 Budget $120,000- $140,000 of public art funding is allocated to the project. Pioneer Women s and Ellen Melville Memorial Hall The Pioneer Women s and Ellen Melville Memorial Hall in Freyberg Square in Auckland s city centre was completed in 1962. A category B heritage place in the legacy Auckland City District Plan (Central), the hall was designed by Tibor Donner (1907-1993), who served as the Auckland City Council s Chief Architect from 1946 to 1967. Donner designed many wellknown public buildings, including the Civic Administration building in Aotea Square and Parnell Baths. The hall currently houses two works of art that will benefit from renewal and more advantageous placement in conjunction with the restoration project. These include a suite of tukutuku panels originally gifted by the Whanau Sterling that will be restored by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei weavers. The other is a carved heart kauri sculpture by James Bowie that was gifted to the city on the occasion of the building s opening in 1962.
Ellen Melville Elected to Auckland City Council in 1913, (Eliza) Ellen Melville (1882-1946) was the first female councillor in New Zealand. While in public office Melville proposed a new hall for women's societies that would also be a memorial to the province s pioneer women. While not completed during Melville s lifetime due to war, the proposal was revived with the hall successfully opening on 5 September 1962. Auckland Council and Public Art With the adoption of Public Art Policy in September 2013, Auckland Council confirmed its commitment to public art that: celebrates the region s creativity; highlights Māori identity as Auckland s point of difference; reflects and expresses the diversity of Auckland s people; responds to our unique natural landscape and the special character of our built environment; generates pride and belonging; transforms Auckland s public places. We encourage you to circulate this opportunity within your networks. For questions or further information contact publicart@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Site location between High Street and Courthouse Lane, Auckland Central. Pioneer Woman s, Ellen Melville Hall highlighted in red