Short Description
Westminster City Council’s Place Shaping team are seeking an artist or collective to design a series of local tiled murals under two bridges at Little Venice to animate along the canal through local storytelling.
This commission seeks to foster a more welcoming environment, celebrate local narratives, enhance wayfinding, and build a stronger sense of place. The selected work will help instil pride in the community and contribute to defining the identity of Little Venice for years to come. Aimed to be delivered Spring 2026, it forms part of the first phase of the council’s broader public realm improvement programme for the northern Canalside, set to be delivered in stages over the coming years.
Artist Requirements & Application process
This opportunity is open to individual artists or artist collectives. We will run a two stage process:
Stage 1: Artist Shortlist
Shortlisted artists/collectives will need to:
- Demonstrate past projects that illustrate their ability to work for a client or with partners and collaborators in the development and creation of new public work, i.e. commissioners, business, architects, fabricators
- Demonstrate that previous work is visually striking, engaging and of the highest artistic quality
- Show interest in the project and design style is well suited to the site and project objectives
- Have experience of creating site specific work that responds to local communities, heritage or context
- Have experience of engaging local communities as part of developing new work in a dynamic and exciting way
Stage 2: Concept Proposal.
Shortlisted artists/collectives will receive £2,000.00 (+VAT) to develop a concept proposal. We will mark these proposals based on:
- How well they fulfil all the commission objectives
- How exciting and feasible is engagement plan
- How well they demonstrate the feasibility of the proposal within timescales and budget
- The breakdown of costings
Eligibility
Artists/ collectives with an interest in site specific work and engaging local communities. UK based.
How to Apply
Online Application
Program Benefits & Awards
Following expressions of interest, three artists/teams will be selected to develop proposals for a fee of £2,000.00 (+VAT) each. One of these proposals will then be awarded the commission with a total artist budget of £50,000.00 (+VAT).
Entry Fee
None
Location
United Kingdom
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 1 August 2025
Website Link: https://paddingtongreencanalside.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/v3/art-under-the-bridges-commission?step=step1
