CADBURY INVITES LOCAL ARTISTS TO MARK NEW £30 MILLION BOURNVILLE REFURBISHMENT
The West Midlands’ best emerging artists are being given the chance to create works of art that will take permanent residence at Cadbury’s £30 million new office development in Bournville.
Download Full Commission Brief
Three new pieces of art, including a sculpture, photographic set and wall-based painting, will be commissioned to coincide with the grand opening of the newly refurbished office space in 2008, which will accommodate more than 600 staff at Bournville.
The £30 million refurbishment programme has been four years in the making and retains the original external features of the 1920s ‘Dining Block’ building as part of the company’s commitment to its Bournville heritage.
Short listed artist applications will be selected through staff consultations and an expert judging panel. The chosen art work will reflect the new building’s commitment to celebrating the fusion of old and new, of “looking forward with heritage” to the next phase and future development of the iconic Bournville site.
The commission process has been bolstered by funding from Arts & Business’s Reach programme, which invests in mutually beneficial partnerships between business, the arts and the public sector.
Cadbury spokesman Tony Bilsborough said:
“The new office development represents a major investment in our Bournville ‘home’ and by inviting local artists to mark the event, we hope to create a vibrant, visually stunning backdrop to what is already an extremely impressive building.
“Cadbury has long been part of the local community and we wanted to invite artists within that community to celebrate with us. The chosen work will serve as a permanent celebration of the past, present and future relationship between Cadbury and Bournville.
Artists can download an artistic brief from now by visiting www.cadbury.co.uk/bournvilleartsproject and will have until Friday 11 January 2008 to submit their ideas.
-ENDS-
Notes to editors:
1. Cadbury Trebor Bassett's community programme supports local communities through cash, gifts in kind but most importantly through encouraging employees to volunteer. Cadbury Trebor Bassett recognise that prosperous, educated and socially inclusive communities are central to success and that we have responsibilities to our employees and the society in which we operate.
2. Arts & Business aspires to be the world’s most successful & widespread creative network. A&B helps business people support the arts & the arts inspire business people, because good business & great art together create a richer society. For further information, please see www.AandB.org.uk
COMMISSION OPPORTUNITY
BOURNVILLE TOMORROW
ARTIST COMMISSIONS - A Piece for the Future of Bournville
WHO: Visual artists: painters, photographers, sculptors, print makers, textile and glass artists based in Birmingham.
WHAT: Design and make a stunning piece of artwork to be installed in the newly renovated Cadbury office development in Bournville, Birmingham. At least three new works will be commissioned, including one sculpture.
BUDGET: £16,200k total covering all commissions (five maximum). Each successful proposal will be allocated a fee accordingly on the basis of individual applications including budget. Fee will include all expenses.
DEADLINE: Expressions of Interest, CV, images to be submitted by 11 January 2008
CONTACT: Susan McNally, Arts Project Manager, Willoughby PR, 43 Calthorpe Road
Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 1TS or call +44 (0)7905 767 123 for informal enquiries prior to application.
Download Full Commission Brief
*PLEASE DO NOT APPLY BEFORE DOWNLOADING FULL BRIEF*
NOTES
• John Cadbury started the Cadbury business in 1824, opening a shop in Bull Street, Birmingham selling tea, coffee and drinking chocolate. In 1854, Cadbury received the Royal Appointment as Cocoa Manufacturers to Queen Victoria.
• In 1878, thanks to continued growth, Richard and George Cadbury bought 4.5 acres of land in the countryside and set about developing a “Factory in a Garden”. By 1899, the factory had trebled in size and was employing over 2,600 workers in Bournville.
• In 1900 the Bournville Village Trust was founded, including 330 acres of land, providing spacious and sanitary housing.
• In 1905 Cadbury Dairy Milk was launched. In 1916, Cadbury took over Fry’s.
• In 1969 Cadbury merged with Schweppes, and in 1989 purchased both Trebor and Bassett.
• Today, Cadbury Schweppes is the world’s largest confectionery company.