Unison Powerboxes – Invitation to artists

INVITATION TO ARTISTS

Unison Powerboxes, October-December 2017, Rotorua CBD

INTRODUCTION

This year sees the redesign of the Unison Power Boxes in Rotorua CBD.  This is a wonderful opportunity for local work to be viewed by both residents and visitors to Rotorua and will remain in the public eye for five to seven years.

Artists are invited to submit their plan with the theme of ‘The Rotorua Experience.’  The design brief is otherwise open.  All styles (traditional, abstract and contemporary) are welcomed.

There are 30 Power Boxes in the central city to be designed (or redesigned) and artists may choose to submit one or more designs for these.  Of these power boxes, a number require  a front design (one-sided) and others a front and rear design (two-sided).  Either variation also has space for artistic design on the sides and top, as the artist wishes.   Artists are encouraged to plan for either scenario.

All selected entries will be given an award of $400.00 per one-sided or $800.00 per two-sided design upon completion and final approval by Unison.  In addition to this, Reader’s Choice Awards of $1000 and $500 will be given to the first and second most votes received respectively through a published competition.

A ceremony will be held on Friday 15 December to celebrate completion of the project, recognise the selected artists and award the People’s Choice winners.

STRUCTURE

The final submission date for designs is Friday 7 October 2017.

Power boxes will be available to be painted throughout November and the start of December, and must be completed by Friday 8 December 2017.

SPECIFICATIONS

MATERIALS:

Designs will be painted on power boxes, which have been primed and painted with a Spanish White or similar acrylic top coat prior to the artist’s design, as designated by the organiser in conjunction with Unison.

Each box measures approximately 890mm wide x 920mm high x 340mm deep.  Paints will be supplied to the artist and are Lumbersider low sheen acrylic paints.

All of the power boxes will be given a final protective coating by a contractor.

GENERAL:

Artists must attend the Unison induction briefing as organised at the start of November and then attend the power box site to paint on sufficient days to ensure completion of the design by Friday 8 December 2017.

APPLICATION TO APPLY:

Artist to supply:

• Completed application form with contact details and acknowledgement of terms and conditions
• Good quality digital or hard copy versions of their intended design or designs
• Brief artist bio and digital photograph of the artist for promotional purposes

If the application is successful, a registration form and contract will be sent for completion.

Applications close on Friday 7 October 2017. For further enquiries or information, please email Marc Spijkerbosch at Rotorua Lakes Council, or download the application form: