Community Post Type: Callouts

Liverpool ONE is looking for an attractive, sustainable alternative to the astroturf they install on the Sugar House Steps for spring 2025.

The steps are an iconic landmark in Liverpool which are frequently used by locals and visitors to enjoy milder weather throughout spring and summer, watch performances, and take a lunch break from shopping.

For many years they have installed astroturf each March and removed it in October as it reaches the end of its lifespan with heavy use. For 2025 they need a sustainable way to dress these steps which meets the criteria set out on the next page.

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4qENuvXB4qymogYx9

Requirements for Dressing the Steps

Installation should be complete by mid-March 2025.

The dressing could remain in place permanently but allow for changes through the seasons, or be removeable in October as they look for a more permanent solution for 2026 onwards.

The dressing should provide photo opportunities. Lots of people love creating videos and photos on the stairs. The installation should signify the start of spring. They are renowned in Liverpool for marking the start of spring by installing astroturf, with many positive comments on social media.

Any materials and structures installed should:

• Be weather resistant and durable enough to last for a minimum of 8 months
March to October 2025 if a temporary solution. It can be repaired/topped
up/refurbished seasonally within this period but the overall installation
should last 8 months. Or if the installation is intended to last for a number of
years reflective of the budget, it could be a (semi)permanent installation.

• Be manufactured off site and able to be installed quickly rather than a
lengthy process on site. If artwork is to be painted directly onto the stairs
this can take as long as is necessary however the paint must be removable
at the end of a designated period.

• Be quick drying from rain so that people can sit on any materials as part of
the installation as soon as possible after rain

• Have proof of slip testing

• Not have any trip hazards, people will walk on the stairs while this
seating/dressing is in place.

• Not feature anything that can be climbed or moved/pushed down the stairs

• Be washable for food and drink spillages, bird droppings, and general dirt

• Have a suitable level of fire retardancy/resistance depending on the material

• Be repairable. If part is damaged we need to be able to replace only that
section or repair it rather than having to remove the whole installation

• Be semi-permanent so that it does not need to be removed or barriered off
each night for security reasons

• Not require any supervision during its use

• Provide a comfortable seating option which will increase dwell time, and
provide a seated viewing area for performances which take place facing the
steps

• Be manufactured and eventually disposed of sustainably or reused

• Be mindful in its manufacture, transportation, and installation of the
embodied carbon footprint.

How you’ll work with Liverpool ONE

Liverpool ONE’s Head of Sustainability and Head of Technical Services will work with the appointed artist or company to agree materials and an installation method. The Place Strategy Team will be involved in the creative side of the proposal.

Fixings

It is possible to fix into the stone stairs however it’s preferable due to trip hazards when any items are removed to only fix into the vertical sides of the stairs. Ideally there would not be new holes each time/year a structure is installed, and instead
there would be pre-drilled ground anchor point fixings which remain in the stairs for the next time.

Timescales

Please submit an initial proposal by 1 November 2024

This should include images and an idea of cost, materials, fixings, and how the proposal meets the criteria.

Detailed proposal by 22 November 2024

Liverpool ONE will choose one or more proposals to be considered in detail for the company/artist to finalise all the costs, design, quantities, materials and fixings.

This detailed proposal should be provided by 22 November 2024.

Meetings W/C 2 December 2024

They plan to meet with the preferred company/artist to finalise the installation W/C 2 December 2024. Following this we may need further costings or investigations before a final installation is agreed.

Sign off by 13 December 2024

Liverpool ONE’s Technical Services team, Sustainability Team and Place Strategy Team will sign off the proposals and give the go ahead for ordering and manufacture by 13 December 2024.

Ordering and manufacturing period January to mid-March 2025 Installation mid-March 2025

Costs

An overall budget has not been set. They require an idea of costs with your initial proposal, followed by a fully-costed submission for the next stage.

Please submit any questions or initial ideas to: melody@liverpool-one.com

To support the incredible work that so many charities do to support the arts and culture, this special draw of the year will award £5,000 to 10 charities working in this area.

The draw is only open for 5 days closing on Friday 11 October, so please take 5 minutes and nominate the Bluecoat Display Centre to give us the opportunity to win £5,000.

Nominations are open now until 11th October.

PLACED Academy are thrilled to be launching the first annual #PLACEDAcademy design competition, “Future Designers”.

This free-to-access competition is for young people in years 7-11 across Liverpool, and aims to support emerging talent interested in design, architecture, places and the built environment.

Your submissions will be judged by a panel of industry professionals with prizes to be won. 

For more info:  FUTURE DESIGNERS COMPETITION – PLACED Academy (placed-academy.com)

To register your interest: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/883N5SK

Are you in years 7, 8 & 9 and interested in art, design and places? Join PLACED Academy Studio, a free two-day creative programme!

Are you based in the Northwest? You’re eligible to apply!

PLACED Academy Studio will take place over the February Half Term in both Liverpool and Manchester venues. The programme will give participants a taste of the PLACED Academy and the wider sector.

Applications are NOW OPEN and will close on Monday 9th December!

PLACED is funding PLACED Academy Studio as part of its commitment to giving back to our local communities, ensuring the opportunity is completely FREE to all participants.

For more information: PLACED ACADEMY STUDIO – PLACED Academy (placed-academy.com)

To apply: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/63FN2HK

The UK’s largest and most successful children’s writing competition – BBC’s 500 Words – is open for entries until 9pm on Friday 8 November.

Children aged 5-11 are encouraged to write a story they would love to read in 500 words or less. 50 finalists will be invited to the grand final at Buckingham Palace, where they could see their story read by a superstar celebrity!

It’s incredibly important to 500 Words that children of all abilities and backgrounds are able to take part in the competition. Spelling, punctuation and grammar are not marked – it’s the idea that counts. In addition, each school that enters a story and receives 50% free school meals or more is entitled to a £50 National Book Token and three £10 book tokens for their pupils.

As well as submitting your stories, the competition is looking for volunteer judges. Teachers, teachers assistants (in post or in training), SEND and library staff are welcome to apply.

For more information and details of how to enter the competition, sign up as a judge, or to see the terms and conditions and privacy notice, visit www.bbc.co.uk/500words.

Sandbox Showcase, a quarterly event that spotlights emerging filmmakers from Liverpool and the North West. The first edition of the Sandbox Showcase will take place on Wednesday, 20th November 2024 at the Liverpool Picturehouse, located at 88 Wood Street, L1 4DQ, in Screen 2, which seats 140 people.

This unique event provides a platform for 10-12 short films per showcase, offering filmmakers the chance to share their work with an engaged and appreciative audience.

The Sandbox Showcase is more than just a film screening; it is a celebration of innovative storytelling and new voices in filmmaking. The event is specifically designed for first-time and emerging filmmakers, offering them the chance to screen their work in a respected venue and engage with a live audience. Unlike many film events, the Sandbox Showcase focuses on bold, fresh ideas and creative experimentation, giving filmmakers the platform they need to shine.

Filmmakers can submit their films here for a one-time fee of £10, and submissions will remain on Let’s Make Films’ protected short film database for consideration in all future themed showcases.

Calling all early career actors…are you looking for opportunities to perform?

As part of TipTray’s yearly What Happens Next? playwrights competition, each play is paired with a professional director and a cast of actors. Because the competition is all about developing and giving a platform to emerging artists, they want to hear from early career actors who would be interested in performing in one of their selected 8 plays.

This is a great chance to work with experienced directors, gain stage time, and be part of an exciting creative process. If you’re looking to build your experience, they’d love to hear from you.

Visit their website at tiptraytheatre.com and fill out the interest form to be considered. Once the plays are selected, they’ll use this pool of actors to help cast the roles needed.

Note: This opportunity is voluntary, expressing your interest does not guarantee you will be selected due to the limited amount of roles available.

They look forward to hearing from you!

Hub Studios has an artist studio space coming available at the end of November. Hub Studios is a group of ten artists sharing a subdivided open plan space in the Northern Lights building in Cains Brewery Village in the Baltic Quarter. Northern Lights has 24 hour access, a cafe and an onsite car park (annual parking permits are available for purchase from the landlord Baltic Creative).

Rent is £170.76 a month and the space is 230cm x 330 cm.

Expressions of interest can be sent via email to hubstudios2@gmail.com , please include a CV and a link to a website, portfolio or social media by Friday 18th October.

Space available from the end of November.

For more information on Hub Studios please visit their website at www.hubstudios2.co.uk or our instagram @hubstudios2.

Hub Studios,

FF4,

Northern Lights Building

5 Mann Street, Liverpool L8 5AF

In the heart of West Kirby on the beautiful Wirral peninsula, the LAKE gallery is an artist-led gallery hosting a changing program of exhibitions of fine art and contemporary craft.

An opportunity to exhibit in the LAKE gallery as part of their 2024 OPEN Exhibition.

Apply for their 2024 OPEN Exhibition

Artists working in the UK are invited to submit up to three pieces in any 2D or 3D medium.

The selected artworks will be exhibited in the gallery during their popular OPEN 2024 exhibition which runs from Thursday 28th November 2024 to Saturday 25th January 2025.

The gallery will select two artists from the OPEN 2024 exhibition to each receive a £100 cash prize and an invitation to exhibit in the LAKE gallery during 2025.

Full details can be found on their website and all submissions should be made using their online application form:

www.thelakegallery.co.uk