Proposals invited for artwork for new hospital foyer

Proposals are being invited for the main entrance area within the new Balfour Hospital and Healthcare Facility.

NHS Orkney, in partnership with Orkney Islands Council’s Arts Development service and supported by the charity Art in Healthcare, is inviting proposals from artists to help create a distinctive identity for this area of the building.

It’s envisaged the artwork — the first in what will be a series of public art commissions for the new hospital — will also help provide privacy where needed throughout the glazed entrance and central hub area.

Ann McCarlie is project director for the new hospital and health care facilities for NHS Orkney. She said: “This is an important and high profile public art opportunity in a much anticipated new hospital. We want the main entrance to reflect our community and to be a lovely public space, and so we’re looking forward to seeing the ideas and proposals as they come in.”

OIC’s arts development officer is Antony Mottershead and he said: “We’re pleased to have been asked to come on board and help guide the process for this first piece of public art for the new hospital. We’re looking for proposals from suitability qualified and experienced artists to develop the artwork from initial concept through to a fully designed and costed scheme.”

The full project brief ‘Integrated Artwork Commission’ can be downloaded from the Orkney Islands Council website at: http://www.orkney.gov.uk/service-directory/s/arts-opportunities-and-funding.htm

Artists interested in applying should contact Antony Mottershead, Arts Officer, for supplementary information and plans on antony.mottershead@orkney.gov.uk or telephone 873535 ext 2406.

Artists are invited to send their response as outlined in the brief to Mr Motterhead no later than 5pm on Monday, December 3.