Sculpture in the City 2020 - Art Handling Services

The City of London Corporation (the City) invites Tenders for the provision of Sculpture in the City 2020.

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this document is to outline the requirements for an art handling company to collect, deliver, install, de-install and return a selection of artworks for the Sculpture in the City project, initially for one year but with the potential to extend to 12 months.

Now in its ninth year and featuring more sculptures than ever before, Sculpture in the City is a free exhibition stretching from St. Botolph without Bishopsgate to Fenchurch Street to the south, encompassing the area around Great St Helen's and 30 St Mary Axe. The annual exhibition series is a product of the City Arts Initiative and provides a changing programme of outstanding public art in an area that is changing rapidly. It aims to enliven the area's public spaces with world class artworks by critically acclaimed and internationally recognised artists, to be enjoyed by workers, residents and visitors.

Sculpture in the City is backed by the City of London Corporation in partnership with local partners and patrons, including local business, artists and galleries.

CONTEXT

The public art project creates interest, promotes interaction and ensures distinctiveness for visitors and office workers through a contemporary approach that embraces not only temporary sculptural works, but also community events & school workshops, performances, interventions and other forms of art. The temporary nature of the project ensures it remains dynamic, both responding and reacting to the ever-changing urban environment.

The ninth year of the project, launched in June 2019, was regarded as the most successful yet and features 18 sculptures in 20 locations by globally established artists. The project has grown both in scale and ambition since its inception in 2010. In addition to the art installations, 36 on-site school workshops were organised by Urban Learners, offering interactive activities to 220 children from 9 school classes within the City and adjacent boroughs. The project's potential outreach is over 17m, attracting significant national and international press interest.

Preparations for Year 10 of the project, to be delivered in summer 2020, are well underway and partnerships with the City's external partners have been reconfirmed. The list of artworks to be installed in June 2020 will be ready for announcement by April 2020.

KEY AIMS OF THE PROJECT AND SCOPE

To collect, deliver, install, de-install and return a selection of artwork for the Sculpture in the City project, for an initial period of 12 months, with the option to extend for a further year subject to approval.