As an artist, I often create sculptures for public places that the whole community can enjoy. Sometimes, when I post the photos on social media, I read the comments, and it seems some people think I’m Banksy with a chainsaw! They have the impression I roam the country, choosing trees to transform secretly! While that would be fun (but also challenging – chainsaws are noisy!), the actual process is much less mysterious.
Rather than hunting for trees to transform, people come to me and commission a sculpture. So, the good news is that if you would love a sculpture for your community, you don’t have to wait for me to appear! And if you’re unsure where to begin, this blog is for you. Keep reading to discover the ten steps to commissioning a unique community sculpture…
STEP ONE: SUITABILITY OF YOUR TIMBER
The first step to commissioning a unique community sculpture is for those with a standing tree trunk or a piece of timber. Don’t worry if you don’t have timber in mind or your tree is unsuitable. I can source timber for you with sustainability in mind. I only use timber from dead, diseased or dangerous trees, so you know that your sculpture hasn’t come from unnecessary felling.
If you do have timber, please read THIS BLOG first – if your tree isn’t suitable, the other steps are a waste of time! If you find the measurements work but are unsure about the type of tree or any rot, just send photos and details to simon@treecarving.co.uk. I’m always happy to take a look!
STEP TWO: WHO WILL BE INVOLVED?
So, you’ve decided you want a unique sculpture for your community. Will you organise this alone, or would you like some help? There’s no right or wrong answer to this; it’s just preference. If you want to share the work, this is the time to form a working group. Think about who would support the project and bring ideas and some of the skills you’ll need. If the sculpture will commemorate a person or event and there’s somebody with a connection, consider inviting them to join.
STEP THREE: VISION & GOALS
Defining your vision and goals is your next step in commissioning a unique community sculpture. What is the purpose of the sculpture? Will it preserve the life of a beloved tree? Will it commemorate a person or event? How will it enhance your community?
Answering these questions will help determine the design, improve community engagement, and help with grant applications.
STEP FOUR: LOCATION
This step is irrelevant if you have a standing tree trunk for your sculpture. However, if I’m making your sculpture from timber that has already been removed (or timber that I source), you will need to determine a location (or possible locations). There will be some permissions questions (next step), and you will need to think about where it will most benefit the community. It’s a good idea to have a few places in mind as a backup if your desired location isn’t possible.
STEP FIVE: PERMISSIONS
At this point, the order of the steps gets blurry. It may be that you have to determine a design to get permission or that you need a quote first. However, steps five to eight all need to happen in some order!
I suggest looking into what permissions you will need next and how to get those permissions. Who do you ask? What information will you need to put on the form? Do you need funding secured first?
Once you know this, you can determine how to order the next steps. It’s possible you could apply for permission at this point. However, it may be that you have to know the design and costing before forms can be submitted.
It’s worth noting that you may need separate permissions for different aspects of commissioning and installing the sculpture.
For example, you may need permission from a local council to install a sculpture, but also permission from local police to close a road while I’m working on it or installing it.
STEP SIX: DEVELOP A BRIEF
This stage is where commissioning a sculpture gets exciting. Your next step is to develop a brief for the artist(s). You should include goals, context, objective, size, possible subjects, and any other relevant information.
This stage is also a great time to invite community involvement and get them behind the project. They could vote on the subject or even suggest ideas. One primary school had all the children write down what they wanted to include in the sculpture. Seeing all the answers helped me see what was important to the majority, and I could create something meaningful for them.
STEP SEVEN: OBTAIN QUOTES
Now you have a brief, you can invite artists to quote for the job. You may have specific artists in mind to ask, or you might post the job publicly.
Don’t be disheartened if the quote comes back beyond what you wanted to spend! Many artists will be open to conversation about ways you could adapt it to save costs. Cutting back on a design element or resizing something may be possible. There may be other options for cheaper timber, or you may choose to consider organising something for yourself, such as transportation and installation. Basically, don’t be afraid to have a conversation!
And if you’re an artist reading this blog, check out my tips on responding to a brief.
STEP EIGHT: SECURE FUNDING
OK, so you have permission. You have a brief. You have a quote you’re happy with. Next step? Securing funding.
There are different ways to do this. I’ve written a blog about funding ideas HERE with more details. For now, though, your options are:
– an individual donor
– engage the community
– grant funding
There are lots of grants available nationwide for public art projects. There may be some that tie in with your specific subject too (e.g. raising awareness of a particular event or people group). You can get creative with fundraising in the community or try simple crowdfunding using something like GoFundMe. But be aware of fees!
The group behind my Lews Castle Trap Driver sculpture even ran a lottery!
So there are lots of possibilities, and although the amount may seem daunting, the number of community sculptures on my UK Sculptures map shows it IS possible!
STEP NINE: CONTRACT WITH THE ARTIST
I’ve written this as step nine, but, as with the previous steps, you may find it fits in a slightly different order when you commission your unique community sculpture. And it is: sign a contract with the artist.
Most artists will have a standard contract that they will adapt. When you read it through, make sure some of the following things are clear:
- Termination clause
- Their responsibilities (e.g. sourcing wood, creating the agreed design, any flexibility for design in case of unexpected rot, cracks etc)
- Timelines
- Image rights (for example, if you wanted to turn a photo of the sculpture into a postcard to generate income, could you do that?)
- Payment terms (you can negotiate a payment plan)
- Who owns the sculpture before it is fully paid for
- Installation and transportation
STEP TEN: MANAGE THE PROJECT
At this point, I’ll book you in my calendar and come to do an on-site carving or create your sculpture in my workshop.
From here on, you will liaise with me regarding details and provide feedback for the community about progress and timelines. You might decide to invite people to watch me carve, or you might arrange an unveiling.
You may have some work to do while preparing for my arrival.
This preparation might vary from organising a tree surgeon to strip the bark, planning somewhere to park my truck and charge my batteries, or buying some biscuits to keep me fuelled!
I’m happy to provide photos of progress as I carve. I can also include a timelapse of the entire process as part of your commission (this is an additional charge). It may also be possible for you to visit the studio and watch!
Once the sculpture is complete (and installed if it wasn’t on-site), there’s only one step left…
STEP 11:
I know, the title says ten steps! But there IS an eleventh!
ENJOY THE SCULPTURE!!!!
There may be some follow up you want to do too like thanking donors or writing a press release. But at this point, you can relax and enjoy the sculpture, along with your community.
I hope this blog has helped you feel you know how to go about obtaining a sculpture for your community. If you’re ready to make that step and explore a commission, fill out the form at www.treecarving.co.uk/contact and I’ll be in touch. It will be a pleasure to create a meaningful and unique sculpture for your community.