Aberdeen City Council is calling on artists to come up with design ideas for an imposing statue of Robert the Bruce. 

The statue will be prominently situated somewhere in the City Centre and local people will have the chance to have their say on the artists' impressions. 

Artists are being asked to submit proposals for a "striking monument acknowledging Aberdeen's connection with Robert the Bruce".  

A panel will consider the initial ideas submitted to the Council and shortlisted candidates will be invited to develop more detailed models and designs, which will then go out for public consultation. 

The idea of a Robert the Bruce monument came from a motion by Councillor Kevin Stewart, who called for a statue to "recognise the debt the City owes to King Robert the Bruce for the establishment of the Common Good Fund". 

Councillor Stewart said: "King Robert I was Aberdeen's greatest benefactor and I am pleased that at long last there will be a fitting memorial to him. I hope that a large number of artists will apply to design the memorial and I wish all participants the best of luck." 

The monument will mark the 700th anniversary of the inauguration of Robert the Bruce, who issued a charter in 1319 granting Aberdeen the rights (in feu) to the forest of Stocket, in return for a yearly payment.  

The Freedom Lands of Aberdeen and Common Good Fund were developed as a direct result of this charter, bringing benefits to citizens such as gifting land to Earl Marischal to enable him to found the college named after him; supporting citizens after a serious outbreak of plague in 1640; forming new streets and services; building Aberdeen Art Gallery, Aberdeen Public Library and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary; and purchasing land for housing and recreation including Hazlehead and Kincorth Estates. 

People living in Aberdeen still benefit from the Common Good Fund, which is separate from other Council accounts and funds and must be used solely for the benefit of the community.  

Recently it has funded events like tea dances and the Seniors in the City older people's festival. 

The design competition reflects the City Council's commitment to providing quality cultural opportunities for local communities. 

The design brief for artists states: "We are looking for an artist who specialises in working in figurative sculpture and is able to create an exciting and representative piece that will fit within a busy city centre setting." 

The artist must:  

• Have a strong track record in figurative sculpture and statue
• Experience of working in the public realm
• Be able to deliver a strong and representative image of King Robert the Bruce and the roll he played in the establishment of the City’s Common Good Fund
• Experience of working and negotiating with multi disciplinary teams
• Able to work and deliver to timetables

Artists are free to choose which materials they want to use, although they must be durable and vandal resistant, as well as conforming to Health and Safety regulations. 

A design fee of £750 and costs of £500 for the model and design will be made available to up to four shortlisted artists. 

Submissions should include a CV, proposal (maximum of two A4 pages), a selection of slides or photographs of previous work and confirmation of availability to complete the initial commission by March, 2007.  

Submissions should be returned by Friday, February 16 to:  

Culture and Leisure Strategy Officer
Aberdeen City Council
Balgownie One, AECC
Conference Way
Bridge of Don
Aberdeen
AB23 8AQ  

For further information or a copy of the full brief, call Brad Groves on (01224) 814616, email BGroves@aberdeencity.gov.uk or visit www.aberdeencity.gov.uk 

ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL NEWS RELEASE
Shona Hendry – (01224) 522921 – January 8, 2007