Short Description
Creative Central NCL is a five-year long project led by Newcastle City Council and funded by the North East Combined Authority. Now in its third year, the project aims to support independent artists and creative businesses in central Newcastle with investment, grants, skills development, and opportunities for growth. You can find out more about Creative Central NCL here.
Grainger Market is a Grade I listed building and has been trading since 1835. The ongoing interventions are intended to improve visibility of the market, help drive additional footfall and put Grainger Market firmly on the map as an international visitor destination. Its striking architecture, diverse mix of traders, new seating provision and vibrant events programming will rival the best of European markets.
This opportunity is made possible with funding from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and will protect this heritage building and underpin the success of independent retail. It will:
- Create a multipurpose events space within the market for live performance and diverse
functions, extending the day-to-night economy. - Improve the surrounding streetscape.
- Improve 14 market entrances through new signage and lighting, creating attractive/distinctive gateways that promote footfall.
This project is an exciting opportunity to help identify the Grainger Market as a crucial anchor within
Creative Central NCL
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to artists and creatives, particularly those based in the North of Tyne area (including Newcastle, Northumberland, and North Tyneside).
Artists must be available for the second stage of the selection process, taking place from 23 June to 4 July 2025, and must complete the artwork by Spring 2026.
Your artwork must:
- Be an original piece of art.
- Consider and respond to the market functions.
- Be hung from the ceiling and be placed in the alleyways (not the arcade area, by Clayton Street).
- Take into consideration all existing and proposed signage and lighting.
- Take feedback from traders into consideration.
Submission Requirements
- A brief artist biography
- Links to previous work or a portfolio showcasing large-scale installations or related projects.
- A written summary of the proposed artwork
- A rough cost outline for the proposed work, including materials and production.
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted via email to info@creativecentralncl.co.uk with the subject line “Grainger Market Wayfinding.”
Program Benefits & Awards
We will shortlist two artists and each will be given a £1,000 development fee to work up their ideas in more detail ahead of a final decision.
The final selected artist will then receive:
- A £30,000 commission fee including all materials.
- A Heritage Consultant to prepare and submit the necessary Listed Building Application in conjunction with the successful artist.
- Input from a Structural Engineer into fixing details and any related Building Control approvals.
- Promotion on Creative Central NCL social platforms and associated comms activities (press releases, etc)
- Please note that installation is not included in the commission fee, the installation will be coordinated with the contractors already in place for the wider Market works.
Entry Fee
None
Location
North of Tyne area , United Kingdom
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 9 June 2025
