Organizer Information
This open call is issued by Field Art Projects, an established public art consultancy that commissions, develops, and delivers contemporary art projects across the UK, often in collaboration with housing associations, developers, local authorities, and cultural partners. The organisation specialises in integrating high-quality artistic interventions into the built environment, with a strong emphasis on socially engaged and site-responsive practices.
The commission is developed in partnership with Curo Group, a housing association and property developer working across communities in the UK. Curo Group is responsible for delivering housing-led regeneration projects and long-term neighbourhood development strategies. In this context, the Holly House commission is part of the final phase of The Willows housing development in Lawrence Weston, a neighbourhood in Bristol known for its active community infrastructure and resident-led initiatives.
Lawrence Weston itself has a well-documented history of community empowerment, including local planning initiatives, the development of a community-owned wind turbine, and the establishment of a community hub. These structures provide an active civic framework that directly informs the artistic commission.
Title & Description
Holly House Public Art Commission, Lawrence Weston
This opportunity invites artists to develop a site-responsive public artwork for Holly House, the concluding phase of The Willows housing development. The commission is designed to be deeply embedded in the social and spatial context of Lawrence Weston, a neighbourhood characterised by strong resident participation and community-led development.
The selected artist will begin with a research and engagement phase, working directly with local residents, community groups, and project stakeholders to understand the historical, cultural, and spatial identity of the area. This phase is central to the project, allowing the artist to develop a grounded understanding of local narratives, lived experiences, and the evolving character of the neighbourhood.
Following this engagement period, the artist will develop a final proposal for a permanent or semi-permanent public artwork at Holly House. The work is expected to respond to everyday life in the area and contribute meaningfully to shared civic space. The commission emphasizes collaboration, listening, and the translation of community input into a tangible artistic outcome.
Rather than imposing a predetermined concept, the project encourages artists to work relationally, developing a process-led approach that reflects the existing culture of participation in Lawrence Weston.
Categories
- Public Art
- Visual Art
- Site-specific Installation
- Community-based Practice
- Sculpture
- Environmental / Spatial Art
- Social Practice / Participatory Art
Eligibility
- Open to professional artists and collectives
- International applications accepted (with strong relevance to UK-based public art practice preferred)
- Artists at the mid-career or established stage are particularly encouraged
- Applicants must demonstrate experience in:
- Public realm or site-specific projects
- Community engagement or participatory methodologies
- Collaborative proposals (duos or collectives) are accepted
- No explicit age restriction stated
Program Benefits & Awards
- Artist fee: £10,000 (covering research, engagement, design development, and artistic labour)
- Production budget: £25,500 (for fabrication, materials, installation, and related production costs)
- Opportunity to develop a permanent public artwork within a major housing development
- Structured access to local communities and stakeholders in Lawrence Weston
- Professional support from Field Art Projects and project partners throughout the commission
- High-visibility public placement within a residential environment undergoing long-term regeneration
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Artist CV or professional biography
- Portfolio of relevant previous work (particularly public art or site-specific projects)
- Expression of Interest (written statement outlining initial ideas and approach)
- Evidence of community-engaged or participatory practice (if applicable)
- Visual documentation of past projects (images, video links, or installation records)
- Contact information and basic applicant details
How to Apply?
Interested artists should request the full artist brief and application details via email to: info@fieldartprojects.com
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 28 April 2026
Location
Lawrence Weston, Bristol, United Kingdom
Additional Details
This commission is strongly grounded in community-led urban development, and the selected artist will be expected to adopt a process-oriented and collaborative methodology. The project is not purely object-based; instead, it prioritizes relational practice and meaningful integration into the lived environment of the neighbourhood.
Artists should be prepared for an initial period of listening, research, and dialogue before any formal design is finalized. Flexibility, responsiveness, and sensitivity to local context are essential.
The commissioning context suggests an emphasis on long-term civic impact rather than temporary installation, with an expectation that the artwork will contribute to the identity and usability of shared space within a residential setting.