Design competition for archway at the bottom of Steep Hill

Lincoln BIG has launched a design competition for a piece of work or archway feature to go at the foot of Steep Hill – and there’s a £500 prize offered.

Lincoln BIG Chief Executive Matt Corrigan said: “This piece could form a feature within Lincoln’s Cultural Quarter, which is home to The Collection, The Usher Gallery and The Terrace, as well as over 100 independent businesses, so we really welcome concepts which are both creative and practical and which help to reinforce the identity of the area.

“We are looking for a design which could be made up and installed at the entrance to The Strait, possibly in the form of an archway. It would need to fit into a gap which is about 15 feet wide and blend into the historical streetscape.”

The area is also home to the 2,000-year-old Steep Hill – named Britain’s Greatest Street 2012.

Lincoln BIG is acting on behalf of the Bottom of the Hill Traders’ Association on this project.

“We would also like to know what the winning artist’s fee would be if we chose their design for installation in the area and how involved they would like to be in that,” Matt Corrigan added.

Entrants are encouraged to submit their design on A3 drawing paper or a CD of digital drawings. Competition entries should be sent by email to [email protected] and must be submitted by 4pm on Friday, March 15, 2013.

Lincoln BIG will also hold a short briefing session for potential artists at 5pm on Tuesday, February 19. Further details are available by emailing Matt Corrigan.

“A prize of £500 is being offered for the winning design. This does not mean that this design will be installed straightaway,” said Mr Corrigan.

“At the moment we are at the ideas stage and we would have to discuss any ideas with local businesses or landowners and with the planning authority, before any scheme went ahead.”