Contrasting Lives: Witley Court Art Commission
English Heritage is seeking to commission an artist or artist collective to create a new artwork that responds to the history of Witley Court and its former inhabitants and workforce.
The project is funded by English Heritage as part of our new national Creative Programme, which will engage contemporary artists and other creative practitioners to make new work responding to sites managed by English Heritage. Find out more about the opportunity, and how to apply, below.
About Witley Court
Witley Court is a spectacular Italianate former country house in Worcestershire. Besides the buildings, the site is notable for its remarkable Perseus and Andromeda fountain, formal gardens, woodland walks and wilderness play area.
In its late Victorian heyday Witley Court was staffed by more than 100 servants and hosted lavish parties with guests including the Prince of Wales. Its owners at this time – the 1st and 2nd Earls of Dudley – were among the richest individuals in England due to their investments in West Midlands industry, technological innovation and land ownership. Their wealth relied on the labour of thousands of people who worked in the coal-mines, canals, railways, and ironworks on their estates, and on that of hundreds of enslaved people on plantations in Jamaica.
The house fell into decline after the First World War and, following a fire in 1937, the grand buildings suffered significant damage. After a period of dereliction, in 1972 Witley Court was taken into compulsory guardianship by the state. English Heritage has overseen the stabilisation of the building and partial restoration of the landscape, and the site now receives around 70,000 paying visitors annually.
This creative commission forms part of a wider interpretation project at Witley Court, which launches in February 2023. The new interpretation aims to inspire visitors to enjoy all aspects of the house, gardens and landscape, and tell a broader history of the site with a particular focus on its social history.
About the project
The aim of this project is to create a new site specific artwork or series of artworks that responds to the history of Witley Court, and in particular the contrasting lives of those who have been connected with it. The artwork will engage visitors, encouraging them to explore the natural landscape of Witley Court and learn about the stories of its former occupants, including the owners and staff.
The artist will be appointed in March 2022, and the project will proceed in three stages, with the estimated programme as follows:
- Stage 1: Research, community engagement & concept design – March–June 2022
- Stage 2: Detailed design & client sign off – July–September 2022
- Stage 3: Fabrication & installation – October 2022–February 2023
- De-installation: February 2026 / date TBC
A total allocation of up to £50,000 exc VAT and inclusive of all expenses is available for the project.
For more information including the historic context, specific project aims, possible artwork locations, and the desired outcomes for the artwork, please read the full brief enclosed here.
Download the full briefHow to apply
Artists and artist collectives based in the UK with relevant experience are invited to apply. Applications should be sent in electronic format only to Suzanne Heath, Creative Producer at Suzanne.Heath@English-Heritage.org.uk
Your application should include:
- A recent copy of your CV highlighting relevant projects and experience
- A selection of images, website links or other material showing examples of relevant previous projects
- An artist statement setting out your working practice and your initial approach to developing this project (no longer than one side of A4)
If you have any further questions or wish to send any information about your work via post please contact Suzanne via email (details above).
Deadline for applications is 9am, Monday 28th February 2022.
Shortlisted artists will be invited for interview on a date to be confirmed, but is anticipated to be during the week of Monday 7th March 2022, depending on the availability of shortlisted artists and selection panel members. Artists invited for interview will be paid a fee of £1,000 (excluding VAT) towards their time and expenses.