Organizer Information
This commission is organized by Birmingham-based cultural and heritage partners working in collaboration with curatorial and public realm stakeholders (as referenced in the project materials and associated commissioning body communications). The initiative is part of a broader programme of heritage interpretation and civic storytelling within Birmingham’s public space.
The project focuses on integrating artistic interpretation into historically significant narratives, with a particular emphasis on the city’s industrial, scientific, and photographic heritage. The commission centers on George Shaw (1818–1904), a multidisciplinary figure who contributed to Birmingham’s early photographic development, as well as its wider scientific and industrial culture.
Shaw’s historical role spans photography, chemistry, electrometallurgy, and civic engagement. The commissioning body aims to translate this legacy into a contemporary visual language through a public artwork that is both historically grounded and accessible to a broad audience.
Title & Description
Visual Storytelling: The Story of George Shaw in Birmingham – Public Art Commission (UK)
This opportunity invites visual artists to create a two-dimensional design for a new public artwork inspired by the life and legacy of George Shaw, an influential 19th-century Birmingham-based photographer, chemist, and inventor.
The commission seeks to translate Shaw’s multifaceted contributions—ranging from early photographic experimentation to industrial innovation—into a compelling piece of visual storytelling suitable for public installation in a heritage-sensitive environment.
The selected artist will develop a design that reflects both historical accuracy and contemporary artistic interpretation. The final work will be produced in collaboration with curators and specialist glass manufacturers, ensuring the design is technically viable for fabrication and installation.
A key aspect of the project is accessibility and public engagement. The artwork is expected to communicate complex historical narratives in a visually engaging and understandable format, making George Shaw’s legacy relevant to today’s audiences.
Shortlisted artists will first develop conceptual proposals, which will then be reviewed by a panel of experts and a public voting process before final selection.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Drawing
- Illustration
- Graphic
- Public Art
- Site-specific
- Design
- Art Writing (interpretive visual storytelling component)
Eligibility
- Open to professional visual artists
- International applicants may be considered (with relevance to the UK heritage context preferred)
- Strong emphasis on two-dimensional practitioners
- Suitable for emerging, mid-career, and established artists
- Applicants must demonstrate experience in:
- 2D visual storytelling
- Illustration, drawing, or graphic-based practice
- Public or heritage-related interpretation (preferred)
- Diversity of applicants is actively encouraged
- No age restrictions stated
Program Benefits & Awards
- £500 fee for shortlisted artists to develop initial design concepts
- £3,000 fee for the final selected artist to develop the commissioned design to the production stage
- Collaboration with project curators and expert glass manufacturers
- Opportunity to produce a permanent public artwork in Birmingham
- Public visibility through exhibition, expert panel review, and public voting
- Professional exposure within heritage and civic art contexts
- Engagement with a curated historical storytelling project
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit an Expression of Interest, including:
- 300-word written statement OR 3–5 minute audio/video explanation of approach
- Portfolio of relevant previous two-dimensional work
- Brief CV or artistic biography
- Links to online portfolio (website, Instagram, or other platforms)
- Images of past works relevant to the commission
Optional/Additional:
- Alternative submission formats available upon request
- No new artwork required at EOI stage
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Expression of Interest Deadline: 8 May 2026
- Shortlisted artists notified: Friday 22 May 2026
- Public workshop (optional): 29 April 2026
Location
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Additional Details
This commission is strongly rooted in heritage interpretation and visual communication, requiring artists to translate historical research into accessible contemporary imagery. The final artwork will be integrated into a heritage-sensitive public environment, meaning design proposals must demonstrate contextual awareness and material suitability.
The process includes a two-stage selection model: an initial shortlist with paid concept development, followed by final selection for production. Collaboration with technical specialists (including glass manufacturers) is a key component of the production phase.
Artists are encouraged to approach George Shaw’s legacy not only as historical documentation but as a narrative framework for visual storytelling, bridging 19th-century innovation with contemporary artistic practice.