Concept
We invite people to express an interest in designing and creating the National Eisteddfod Chair. It will be presented to the winner of one of the Eisteddfod's most prestigious poetic competition, which will be held in Pontypridd 3-10 August 2024. Ysgol Gyfun Llanhari is sponsoring the Eisteddfod Chair in 2024, and therefore the School will provide a contract for the successful candidate in due course.
The Chair is one of the main prestigious prizes at the Eisteddfod, and the design and construction should be of the highest standard. It will receive public exposure, with the Crown being a presented during a televised ceremony at the Eisteddfod. Therefore the final design presented will need to be approved by the Execitive Gorsedd Board before any work can comence (the meeting will be held at the end of October 2023).
Design criteria
The design must celebrate and be inspired by local landscape, culture and history as well as the contribution of the Welsh language to Rhondda Cynon Taf, whilst also taking into consideration environmental change.
The following must be included in the design:
- /|\ The Secret Sign (Nod Cyfrin). It should be placed in a prominent and dignified place
- The official name of the Eisteddfod which is:
Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Rhondda Cynon Taf 2024
Note: No other words are allowed
• The Crown should be completed by 5 April 2024
Y NOD CYFRIN /|\
The Secret Sign /|\ or the Sign of the Light Ray is a symbol invented by Iolo Morganwg to represent Love, Justice and the Truth. However, Iolo himself made little use of the symbol, and it did not become popular until after his death. It was first seen on the Proclamation Scroll in Cardiff, 1833: by 1850, it could be seen on throne banners and from around 1860 on members' certificates. By the end of the century it was considered the approved symbol of Gorsedd y Beirdd, and appeared on its programmes, the new flag and sometimes even on the Gorsedd Stones. By the 1950s, it was decided that the symbol must be included on each the Eisteddfod Chairs and Crowns design.
Budget and project timetable
The budget for the design and creation of the Chair is up to £3,000 (+ VAT if the designer is VAT registered), to be paid in three installments on receipt of a detailed budget and invoice:
- Stage 1 – Vision and draft plan and approval by the School and the Gorsedd Board: Payment of 33% at the end of October 2023
- Stage 2 – Arrange and attend a R&D workshop with the school (date to be agreed with the school) to discuss the concept with the pupils. Their input can be incorporated into the final design 2nd Payment of 33% at the end of December 2023
- Stage 3 – Completion of the Chair: final payment once completion and approved by the School and the Eisteddfod. An official photo of the Chair must be arranged soon after 5 April 2024.
Schedule
- Applications must be submitted before 17:00 on 13 October 2023
- Interviews for the shortlisted candidates will be held either on Monday 16 and/ or Tuesday 17 October 2023
- Provide and present the initial vision/concept and draft plan ready for the interview
- The winning design will need to be approved by the School and the Gorsedd Board at the end of October 2023
- If approved, the successful candidate will be required to host a workshop with the pupils and teachers of the school to discuss the draft design
- The Chair will need to be completed by 5 April 2024
- Please note that the successful candidate will be required to keep a digital record of the creation to assist with promotion and marketing throughout the creation process. The Eisteddfod communications team will liaise with the media.
- Official Presentation of the Chair: The Chair will be presented to the Eisteddfod Executive Committee in a special press launch night during mid-June 2024 (the successful candidate will be required to attend)
- The Chairing Ceremony is on Friday 9 August 2024.
- Once completed, the successful candidate should provide various standard photos of the crown to be included in the official Eisteddfod Programme.
Applying
Submitt your application via email to Catrin Rowlands - catrin.rowlands@llanhari.cymru at Ysgol Gyfun Llanhari before 17:00 on 13 October 2023
Remember to include the following:
- Your name and contact details
- Biography, including examples (e.g. sketches, photographs) of previous work
- Propose a vision/concept (no more than 500 words) with initial concept and designs. Images must be included to compliment the draft plan, information regarding the materials used (the environmental mindset), inspiration and so on.
- Agreed statement that you are available for the duration of the project to include a workshop at the school (date to be agreed with the school)
- Detailed information regarding the estimated budget in advance
- Contact details of two previous clients who can provide a reference
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to make a 10 minute presentation on Zoom/Teams, and take part in a short discussion with a panel. The panel which will consist of school representatives and the Eisteddfod Artistic Director and/or Competitions Manager on either 16 and/ or 17 October 2023.
More information
Please contact Catrin Rowlands - catrin.rowlands@llanhari.cymru or ring 01443 237 824 (ask for Catrin)