Welcome Back Public Art Commission

Maidstone Borough Council has been allocated funding from the Welcome Back Fund, part of £56 million provided to councils across England from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to support the safe return to high streets and help build back better from the pandemic. It builds on the £50 million Reopening High Street Safely Fund (RHSSF) allocated to councils in 2020 and forms part of the wider support government is providing to communities and businesses.

The Council is seeking to develop new arts and cultural activities that will help to reanimate the town centre, encourage people back safely, contribute to community cohesion and generate economic impact for local businesses. Not only will an improved cultural offer encourage tourism and provide safe options for people to reunite with friends and family, it will also contribute to the Council's wider ambitions for cultural place-making, regeneration and economic growth for the town.

Key Dates & Timeline for Procurement

Tender release: 18th June 2021

Deadline for Expression of Interest: 12:00pm Friday 2nd July 2021 Deadline for submission of completed tenders: 12:00pm Friday 9th July 2021

Evaluation: w/c 12th July 2021

Appointment of contractor: by Friday 16th July 2021

All expressions of interest, and subsequent communications or proposal submissions, must be made via the Kent Business Portal: www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk