St Helens – Arts in Libraries: Creative Commissions 2024
What are Arts in Libraries: Creative Commissions?
Arts in Libraries: Creative Commissions is the 2024 Artist Commission programme funded through St Helens Library Service as part of its Arts in Libraries programme work as an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.
Each year the Library Service funds a range of projects that bring cultural activities and events into St Helens Borough, showcased within libraries. For the 2024 round, we invite applications to fund creatives/artists (working in any visual, performing, creative writing or other art form) to create and/or undertake research & development of a new creative work.
Through Arts in Libraries: Creative Commissions, applicants can propose projects that result in a complete artwork, performance, or other creative output, or propose a developmental opportunity (for example – securing artistic mentoring, going on a research visit, or fund time to be curious, probe a hunch, or explore a problem creatively). If you choose to propose a developmental opportunity, you will be asked to report back on your experience & share your learning with others.
Where will the commissioned work be showcased?
Arts in Libraries: Creative Commissions 2024 will be showcased through St Helens Library Service, and in partnership with Liverpool Independents Biennial. This may include an exhibition, a performance, or an artist-talk in one of our seven Libraries, in an associated community space, or the sharing of your creative development via the St Helens – Arts in Libraries website & social media, in a video, or blog article.
As part of Liverpool Independents Biennial 2025, commissioned projects will also be promoted across the Liverpool City Region, showcasing the artists who live in St Helens.
There are many artists, performers, musicians, writers, photographers, and makers living in St Helens who want to share their creative practice in and beyond our Borough. Arts in Libraries: Creative Commissions partnership with Liverpool Independents Biennial is a way for artists to develop and share the work they create and will ensure that each Creative Commission is profiled and celebrated not only within our Borough, but across the Liverpool City Region.
How will you be supported?
Artists and creatives that are commissioned will be allocated an appropriate project producer who will support your project and can access informal support via St Helens – Arts in Libraries’ peer-led artist development programme Artists Together.
How much can I apply for?
Commissions range from £150 to £1,500. There is no expectation to find match-funding, but you are encouraged to apply for additional funding if relevant to your project. There is a total fund of £5000 and we hope to award between 4 to 6 commissions from that fund.
Am I eligible to apply?
This programme is for artists, performers, musicians, writers, photographers, and makers who live in, or are connected to St Helens Borough.
Environmental Responsibility
Commission recipients will be encouraged to consider any environmental impact their project might have and consider how this can be mitigated. For example, using local suppliers, car sharing etc.
How do I apply for an Arts in Libraries: Creative Commission?
We welcome applications from anyone living in or connected to St Helens Borough. We are particularly interested in hearing from people that may not have received funding for their creative practice before. We also encourage applications from global majority, LGBTQIA+, disabled and/or working-class people who are underrepresented in the Arts.
If you have been successful in the past with a funding application to St Helens – Arts in Libraries Creative Commissions, you are still welcome to apply, but your application should demonstrate a clear development or new direction in work from previous applications.
In order to help you shape your application, there is the following support available:
You can sign up for a 1-2-1 support session with Claire Weetman, Lead Artist for Artists Together on 6th or 14th November.
Sign up here: https://calendar.app.google/LakCsn2XFr1BugFa7Â
Or you can contact one of our team ahead of submitting your proposal:
• Jim Valentine-Burrows (jamesvalentine-burrows@sthelens.gov.uk), Arts in Libraries OfficerÂ
• Rebecca Ainsworth (rebeccaainsworth@sthelens.gov.uk), Creative Lives OfficerÂ
Please contact either Jim or Rebecca for feedback no later than one week before the submission deadline.
The application form must be submitted via the following Microsoft Forms link no later than 12.00hrs (midday) on Monday 18th November.
Application Form: https://forms.office.com/e/gkzcu0kfu2
You can also scan this QR Code to access the Application Â
Form:
If you are unable to complete the application form, you can apply by
video or audio. Please send a Dropbox folder link or similar to
alisonpatterson@sthelens.gov.uk . Please keep this to a maximum Â
of 8 minutes and include essential contact details (phone and
email), name and address in the email.
Application Assessment:
Applications will be assessed by the following:
• Andy Cave (Senior Arts in Libraries Officer, St Helens Borough Council) • Patrick Kirk-Smith (Director, Independents Biennial)Â
• Emmer Winder (Artist and previous successful applicant)
• Alison Patterson (Arts Support Officer, St Helens Borough Council)
Payment of the Commission Award
Payment of the commissioned award will depend on the amount awarded and may be made in instalments. You must not start your project until funding has been confirmed.  
Commission Acknowledgement
All Commissioned recipients need to acknowledge that the Commission is thanks to Arts Council England and include their logo on any materials produced. You will be provided with all the relevant logos by the Creative Producer supporting you to deliver your project.
Additional information:
• Applications must be received before 12.00hrs (midday) on Monday 18th November: Applications received after this time will not be accepted. • Applicants must be aged over 18.
• If you have any access requirements that you might wish to discuss or would like this application form in a different language or large format, please contact jamesvalentine burrows@sthelens.gov.uk
• We consider all applications on their merit, and value to artist & audience. • Successful applicants do not need to live in St Helens but should be able to show how they are connected to the borough (i.e. work or study). Applications that cannot show a clear connection to St Helens will be automatically rejected.
• We want to increase the diversity of the creative practitioners that we support and encourage you to get in touch. Applicants will not be discriminated against based on their, education or employment status, ethnicity, race, gender, sexuality, nationality, disability, civil or marital status, pregnancy or maternal status, religion, belief, or socio-economic background.
St Helens – Arts in Libraries: Creative Commissions 2024 Application Form:
| Name Pronouns | |
| Please provide contact details – ideally email and telephone number. | |
| Please outline the idea you are interested in developing. (200 words max) | |
| How would receiving this commission develop and support your arts practice? (200 words max) | |
| How are you connected to St Helens borough? (100 words max) | |
| Budget. Please provide costs, including your fee. Commissions are available to support projects between £150 and £1500. | |
| Is there any other information you would like to provide that adds to your application? (100 words max) | |
| Please provide up to 5 links of examples of previous work. |
Commissions Terms and Conditions
1. In the Terms and Conditions, the following terms mean:
Commission: the sum of to be paid to the Recipient in accordance with these Terms and Conditions as outlined in the Offer Letter.
End of Commission Date: as detailed in the Offer Letter
Offer Letter: the letter advising the Recipient of the award of the Commission which is to be signed and returned by the Recipient.
Prohibited Act: offering, giving or agreeing to give to any servant of the Council any gift or consideration of any kind as an inducement or reward for: 
a. doing or not doing (or for having done or not having done) any act in relation to the obtaining or performance of the Commission or any other contract with the Council; or 
b. showing or not showing favour or disfavour to any person in relation to the Commission or any other contract with the Council  
c. entering into the Commission or any other contract with the Council where a commission has been paid or has been agreed to be paid by the Recipient or on its behalf, or to its knowledge, unless before the relevant contract is entered into particulars of any such commission and of the terms and conditions of any such contract for the payment thereof have been disclosed in writing to the Council; 
d. committing any offence under the Bribery Act 2010 or under any other legislation creating offences in respect of fraudulent acts; or at common law in respect of fraudulent acts in relation to the Commission or any other contract with the Council; or 
e. defrauding or attempting to defraud or conspiring to defraud the Council.  2. Awarding of the commissions.
2.1 The Recipient shall accept and deliver the Commission in accordance with St Helens Borough Council’s Terms and Conditions as relevant to the project and any additional terms as specified below.
St Helens Borough Council’s Terms and Conditions for Goods and Services can be found at the following link: (Goods & Services T&C’s June 2022 sthelens.gov.uk) In the event of any conflict between the Terms and Conditions for Goods and Services and terms within this document, the terms in this document shall prevail.
3. Payment
The Council shall make payments for the contract as outlined in the Offer Letter. 1. The Recipient shall comply with such requirements as the Council may stipulate in order to record and monitor the funding and costs associated with the Project which will be notified to the Recipient prior to payment of the Commission. 2. The amount of the Commission shall not be increased for any reason. 3. The Recipient shall promptly repay to the Council any money incorrectly paid to it either as a result of an administrative error or otherwise. This includes (without limitation) situations where either an incorrect sum of money has been paid or where Commission monies have been paid in error before all conditions attaching to the Commission have been complied with by the Recipient.
4. The payment is inclusive on VAT.
5. The recipient is responsible for their own tax and declaring the commission as appropriate.
4. Accounts and records
1. The Recipient shall keep separate, accurate and up-to-date accounts and records of the receipt and expenditure of the Contract.
2. The Recipient shall keep all invoices, receipts, accounts, and any other relevant documents, relating to the expenditure of the Commission for a period of at least six years following the day on which the final Commission payment is made. The Council shall have the right to review, at the Council’s reasonable request, the Recipient’s records that relate to the expenditure of the Commission. 3. The Recipient shall comply and facilitate the Council’s compliance with all statutory requirements as regards accounts, audit or examination of accounts, annual reports and annual returns applicable to itself and the Council.
5. Monitoring and Reporting
1. The Recipient shall on request provide the Council with such information, explanations and documents as the Council may reasonably require for it to establish that the commission has been used properly in accordance with these Terms and Conditions and to enable the Council to report as required to the funding body.
6. Publicity
1. The Recipient shall acknowledge Arts Council England as the source of funding in all publicity materials relating to the Project and shall act in accordance with all reasonable branding guidelines issued by the Council from time to time. 2. The Recipient agrees to participate in and co-operate with promotional activities relating to the Project that may be instigated and/or organised by the Council and/or Arts Council England.
7. Warranties
1. In accepting the Commission and any payment of it, the Recipient represents and warrants that:
a. it has the resources and expertise necessary to deliver the Project and to comply with these Terms and Conditions.
b. it will comply with all relevant laws and safeguarding requirements relevant to the work including any requirement to ensure relevant DBS checks are obtained where the Project will involve working with vulnerable people. c. it shall not unlawfully discriminate within the meaning and scope of the Equality Act 2010 as may from time to time be varied or any other law, enactment, order, or regulation relating to discrimination in employment. d. it has disclosed in writing to the Council all information which would or might reasonably be thought to influence the Council’s decision to award the Commission and which might materially and adversely impact on the Recipient’s ability to deliver the Project.
e. the information and evidence in and relating to or disclosed to the Council in relation to the Commission and the Project, remain true, complete and accurate, and that it will advise the Council of any fact, matter or circumstance which would render any such information or evidence false or misleading.
8. Limitation of liability
1. The Council’s liability under these Terms and Conditions is limited to payment of the Commission.
2. The Recipient remains entirely responsible for its risks and liabilities in delivering the Project and the Council accepts no liability for any consequences, whether direct or indirect, that may arise from the Recipient delivering the Project, the Recipient’s use of the Commission or any reduction, withdrawal or repayment of the Commission.
3. The Recipient shall indemnify and hold harmless the Council, its employees, agents, officers or sub-contractors with respect to all claims, demands, actions, costs, expenses, losses, damages and all other liabilities arising from or incurred by reason of the actions and/or omissions of the Recipient in relation to the Project or the Recipient’s use of the Commission, the non- fulfilment of obligations of the Recipient under these Terms and Conditions or its obligations to third parties.
4. The Recipient shall hold sufficient insurance to cover its potential liabilities and shall provide evidence of such insurance to the Council on request. Where specific insurance levels are required, these shall be outlined in the Offer Letter. 5. The Council’s liability under these Terms and Conditions is limited to payment
of the Commission.
9. Data Protection
1. The Recipient and the Council shall (and shall procure that any staff or contractors involved in connection with the Project shall) comply with all applicable requirements and all of its obligations under the Data Protection Legislation, which arise in connection with these Terms and Conditions.
10. Ownership of work
1. The copyright, intellectual property rights and ownership of any work created as part of the Commission remains with the Recipient.
11. General
1. The Recipient may not, without the prior written consent of the Council, assign, novate, sub-contract or otherwise transfer the benefit and/or the burden of this Agreement.
2. No failure or delay by either Party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of any other right or remedy. 3. This Agreement does not and is not intended to confer any contractual rights or benefits on any person for the purposes of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.
4. Agreement shall not create any partnership or joint venture between the Council and the Recipient, nor any relationship of principal and agent, nor authorise any party to make or enter into any commitments for or on behalf of the other party
12. Law and jurisdiction
1. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of England, and the Parties irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.