An Post Saorstát Éireann Stamp Commission in partnership with Business to Arts

Overview of Criteria

The An Post Saorstát Éireann Stamp Commission in partnership with Business to Arts is a new open call to artists and an associated stamp commission. Artists are invited to submit details of an original artwork, which commemorates the centenary of Saorstát Éireann in 2022. The selected artwork will be purchased for the An Post Art Collection and (subject to approval by Government) will feature on a new stamp commemorating the centenary of Saorstát Éireann in December 2022. The selected artist will work with a designer appointed by An Post to present the selected artwork on the design for the Saorstát Éireann postage stamp before it is submitted for approval.

Post and Business to Arts would like to receive details of artworks that are available for purchase, commemorate the centenary of the Irish Free State / Saorstát Éireann in 2022 and can be presented clearly on a stamp.

Stamp Dimensions 

The typographer will resize the selected artwork to fit one of the below stamp sizes:

• 30mm x 51mm
• 51mmx 30mm
• 30mm x 40.5mm
• 40.5mm x 30mm
• 36mm x 36mm

Original Artwork Dimensions

• The minimum dimensions for original artworks submitted is approx. 200mm x 300mm
• There are no maximum dimensions. Artists should consider the practicalities of presenting the work on the stamp dimensions stated above AND the practicalities of displaying the artwork publicly

Key Dates

• Call for entries opens: Wednesday 14 April 2021
• Information webinar for artists: Wednesday 28 April 2021 (12.30pm)
• Call for entries closes: Wednesday 16 June 2021 (5pm)

Information Webinar for Artists

There will be an information webinar for artists / gallerists on Wednesday April 28th, at 12:30pm. Click here to register for the information webinar. The webinar will be recorded and made available online for artists and gallerists who are unable to attend.

Fee Applicable

A total fee of €10,000 will be paid to the selected artist for the purchase of the original artwork and for the use of an image of the artwork on the Saorstát Éireann stamp. In order for the selected artwork to feature on the Saorstát Éireann stamp, An Post require appropriate image usage rights of the selected artwork.
 
The selected artist will be required to read and sign the full An Post Commissioning Document, which states all the terms and conditions connected to the copyright of the artwork design for the stamp, which An Post will own.

Relevant Websites

• Open call documentation and a list of frequently asked questions will be updated regularly on https://www.businesstoarts.ie/an-post/
• All entries should be submitted via https://businesstoarts.awardsplatform.com/

Entry Requirements

           

• The open call to artists and gallerists runs from 14^th April 2021 until 5pm on 16^th June 2021
• The Artist is an Irish resident and based on the island of Ireland
• The Artist is a professional working artist, and meets a minimum of three [3] of the below criteria, according to guidelines set by Visual Artists Ireland:
  • You have a degree or diploma from a recognised 3^rd level college in Fine Art or an Associated Visual Arts Discipline
  • You have had a one-person visual arts show(s) (including time-based events) in a publicly funded (Arts Council, Local Authority, Government funded) visual arts space. Non-visual arts spaces do not qualify unless the exhibition is part of an acknowledged visual arts programme
  • Your visual arts practice has caused your participation in a visual art group exhibition/event which was selected by a jury in which professional artists or recognised curators participated.
  • Your visual art work has been purchased by Government, a local authority, a museum or corporate client for inclusion in a recognised collection.
  • Your visual art work has been commissioned by Government, local authority, museum or corporate client for inclusion in a recognised collection.
  • You have been awarded a visual arts bursary, residency, materials grant or otherwise grant aided by the Arts Council/Arts Council of Northern Ireland or other funding body
  • You have been awarded tax-exempt status by the Revenue Commissioners, or are on schedule D as a self-employed artist in Northern Ireland
• Entries are limited to one entry per artist
  • A gallery can submit an entry on behalf of a represented artist, but must ensure permission is received from the artist to submit on their behalf
  • Artists who submit more than one entry will be disqualified
• Entries must be an original artwork
• Entries can be in the form of fine art painting, sculpture, prints, graphics, illustration and photography
• Artists must certify copyright and ownership of the artwork submitted to this competition
• Entry to the competition is via this online entry system managed by Business to Arts
• The closing date for entries to the competition is 16^th June 2021 at 5pm
• This closing date is final, and there will be no extensions provided. The online entry system will automatically prevent entries after the deadline
• Once an entry has been submitted, no edits, replacements or exchanges will be accepted
• Immediate family members of An Post, Business to Arts and members of the An Post Stamp Design Advisory Committee are not eligible to enter
• The selected artist agrees to participate in the official publicity campaign. This may involve participation in photo calls and interviews with relevant media outlets (subject to any COVID-19 travel restrictions). Any publicity campaign will be planned and executed by An Post and Business to Arts, in agreement with the selected artist
• The €10,000 will be paid to the artist unless An Post is otherwise instructed by the artist
• The selected artwork will become part of the An Post Art Collection, but it is not guaranteed that the selected artwork will be publicly displayed.
• All canvassing or lobbying of any members of An Post, Business to Arts or other parties engaged with the management of this competition will mean instant disqualification
• All personal information supplied will be used by Business to Arts and An Post in accordance with Data Protection Laws and Regulations for the purposes of this competition only

• Business to Arts will handle any personal data in accordance with the Business to Arts Data Protection Policy which is available at https://www.businesstoarts.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Data-Protection-Policy-2020.pdf
• All data privacy concerns should be directed to Business to Arts and the Business to Arts Data Protection Policy applies to all personal data given to this competition

Assessment Criteria

Entries will be assessed in line with the following criteria:

Criteria for selection	Weighted Score
Artist credentials – including artist statement and CV	20%
Response to the brief – including description of the artwork and connection of the artwork to the centenary of Saorstát Éireann	40%
Clarity of artwork and feasibility to incorporate the artwork onto a stamp	40%
Total	100%

Assessment Panel

• An assessment panel, Chaired by Mick O’Dea PPRHA and Chair of An Post’s Stamp Design Advisory Committee, will be convened to review eligible entries
• The assessment panel will consist of six members - two representatives of An Post (e.g. executive or ambassadors), a representative of Business to Arts, and two external panellists including an artist and a curator / graphic designer
• The Assessment Panel is responsible for the selection of the winning artist
• The Assessment Panel reserve the right to longlist entries for final assessment and appoint additional panellists to the Assessment Panel should the volume of entries require this
• The decision of the Assessment Panel is final. No correspondence will be entered into regarding that decision

Feedback

• Applicants will be informed by email if they are successful/unsuccessful.
• We expect to inform successful/unsuccessful applicants before July 31^st 2021
• Due to the number of applicants expected, unfortunately we are unable to offer individual feedback

Technical Support

There will be an information webinar for artists / gallerists on Wednesday April 28th, at 12:30pm. Click here to register for the information webinar. The information webinar will be recorded and made available online for artists / gallerists who are unable to attend.
 
If you have any queries about the An Post Saorstát Éireann Stamp Commission please review the FAQs on businesstoarts.ie/an-post/ or contact the Business to Arts team by email on anpost@businesstoarts.ie