Open Call: Tender for Interactive Heritage Trail

We are seeking an innovative artist or organisation to create an immersive interactive heritage trail highlighting Theatr Clwyd's rich history.

Our 49-year-old Grade II-listed building is reaching its final stages of a transformative capital redevelopment project, and we are developing a unique, permanent installation that celebrates our architectural and cultural significance.

Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, our vision is to create an experience that:

Engages visitors through innovative storytelling.
Highlights the building's remarkable heritage features.
Creates an accessible and fun journey through our theatre’s history.

We've engaged Lead Researcher Jude Rogers to collect stories about our unique interior heritage features, and are seeking an experienced artist or organisation to develop the technical infrastructure of the interactive trail, using these stories and historical evidence. Our vision is to create an engaging narrative experience that could be digital or analog, and we are open to creative ideas relating to audio guides and/or digital mapping. Most importantly, the trail must be designed to ensure accessibility for D/deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent visitors.

Our ultimate goal is to create a perpetual installation that allows visitors to playfully explore and connect with Theatr Clwyd's rich heritage, transforming how people experience and understand our building's remarkable history.

Please find a detailed information document in the Resources section at the end of the page.

Project Details

Total Budget: £12,500 (inclusive of VAT). This does not include travel and accommodation if required.

Appointment of Artist: April (exact date TBC)

Building reopens: June 2025

Test runs of the Trail: July (exact dates TBC)

Project Completion: 31st August 2025

Heritage Touchpoints

We've engaged Lead Researcher Jude Rogers to collect stories and create a script about the heritage of the theatre as a whole, as well as three unique interior heritage features:

Our Original ITV Wales Broadcast Studios: Where Harlech Television (HTV) once operated.
Our Rare Working Paintframe: One of the largest and few remaining active paintframes in the UK
Our Handmade Acoustic Tiles: Unique architectural elements in our main auditorium

Commission Themes

We've built our project around three core principles:

Sustainability: Reducing our environmental impact and promoting resilience.
Community: Embedding local voices and building collective experiences.
Playfulness: Encouraging social interaction and joyful learning.

Technical Requirements

We seek an artist/organization who can:

Design and create the infrastructure for a self-guided, interactive trail experience.
Design and implement the trail to ensure accessibility for D/deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent visitors.
Deliver content in both Welsh and English, with the support of Theatr Clwyd.

Timescale

The building is due to open in June 2025, an indicative timescale is shown below which will be coordinated with the architect and contractors work onsite.

Online Q&A Session: Friday, 7th February 2025, 11:30 – 12:30 (Please email sam.longville@theatrclwyd.com if you wish to attend)

Deadline for Expressions of Interest: Friday 21st February, 17:00

Shortlisting: w/c 24th February

Shortlisted Artists/Teams notified: Tuesday 4th March

Shortlisted Artists Develop Concept Designs: Start of March

Stage Two Panel Interviews: Thursday 27th March, 13:00-17:00

Appointment of Artist: April (exact date TBC)

Test runs: July (exact dates TBC)

Project sign off and completion: Sunday 31st Aug

Stage One: Expression of Interest (Deadline: 21st February 2025, 17:00)

Artists and organisations will be shortlisted based on an expression of interest, previous work, and initial response to the brief by the Lead Researcher Jude Rogers, and Theatr Clwyd’s Capital Campaign Director and the project’s Producer.

Apply by sending sam.longville@theatrclwyd.com the following documents:

Subject line must include: THEATR CLWYD NLHF TRAIL COMMISSION

A 2-page expression of interest (or 2-minute video) explaining your suitability.
Recent examples of your work (PDF).
A CV or link to your website (maximum 2-pages).
Contact details for two referees (at least one familiar with your practice).
Your contact details (phone and email).

Note: Files must not exceed 6MB.

How to Apply

For full details on the application process, please refer to the tender document in the Resources section of this webpage.

This is a two-stage application.

We encourage applications from bilingual individuals or teams, particularly those who speak Welsh as a first language. Proposals exploring creative storytelling in Welsh, English, BSL, or other minority languages in Wales are welcome. The final project must be delivered in Welsh and English, with Theatr Clwyd offering support for bilingual delivery if needed.

We also welcome joint applications from artists and/or organisations who bring diverse skills and may wish to collaborate.

Any Questions?

Join our online Q&A on Friday, 7th February 2025, 11:30–12:30, with our Chief Executive, Finance, Operations & People Director, and Producer. To attend, email sam.longville@theatrclwyd.com for the link.

Stage Two: Concept Development

Shortlisted artists/organisations will prepare a concept idea for presentation to a panel including our Chief Executive, Finance Director, Lead Researcher, and Producer. Each shortlisted candidate will receive £400 to develop their concept.

Presentations will take place on Thursday, 27th March 2025. Travel expenses will be covered. Please inform us of any specific requirements upon shortlisting.

Assessment Criteria