Open Call: Public Art Opportunity in Purley, Croydon for 3 Sculptures
Deadline: 21/09/2025City: Purley, Croydon | Region: London | Country: United Kingdom | Artelier Arts Limited
Paid opportunity
Three public artworks are to be commissioned for two significant new residential developments in Purley, Croydon. One artist will be appointed to commission three total artworks in two different site locations. Although the two projects were given separate planning consent, they will be satisfied by a unified public art strategy that covers this area of Higher Drive.
A total of 57 apartments will be designed and built for rental, including 37 new car parking spaces and cycle storage. The new design scheme will include rear and front gardens forming a leafy environment, in all directions. Key amenities include soft play areas, communal seating and biodiversity sites that incorporate bat boxes, bird boxes, hedgehog passes and a stag beetle loggery.
The Development
Summary
Three public artworks are to be commissioned for two significant new developments in Purley, 67 Higher Drive and 59-63 Higher Drive.
One artwork will be commissioned for 67 Higher Drive, and two artworks will be commissioned for 59-63 Higher Drive.
Although the two projects were given separate planning consent, they will be satisfied by a unified public art strategy that covers this area of Higher Drive.
A total of 57 apartments will be designed and built for rental, including 37 new car parking spaces and cycle storage.
The new design scheme will include rear and front gardens forming a leafy environment, in all directions.
Key amenities include soft play areas, communal seating and biodiversity sites that incorporate bat boxes, bird boxes, hedgehog passes and a stag beetle loggery.
Artwork Opportunities
There will be three opportunities for public art at the sites. One artist will be appointed to commission three total artworks in two different site locations.
The Brief
The sculptures will be integrated into the landscaping scheme, adding a sympathetic enhancement to the surrounding trees, shrubs and flora by providing a point of interest.
The artworks will explore the idea of habitats with reference to the biodiversity of the local areas. Subcontractors and fabricators may be used for the production of the artwork.
These should be specified and provided an indicative budget in the Initial Proposal – see p.6 for the Application Process. Where possible, please prioritise fabricators local to Purley.
Keywords: biodiversity, habitats, natural materials, wood, stone, reclaimed materials, cohesive design, holes, crevices, dynamic, landscaping.
Budget
The artwork budgets include: Artist Fee, Production Budget & Installation.
Applicants are required to provide a detailed budget breakdown (incl. estimated production costs) in their Initial Proposal – see p.6 for the Application Process. 59-63 Higher Drive: £25,000 67 Higher Drive: £15,000
Timelines
Open Call Stage 1: All Initial Proposals must be received by Sunday 21st September 2025. Please refer to p.6 for the application process.
Open Call Stage 2: Shortlisted artists will be interviewed, and further developed proposals will be submitted before w/c 20th October 2025. The successful artist will be appointed soon after.
October 2025 – December 2025: Specified engagements delivered as well as community engagement and ecological consultancy completed.
December 2025 - February 2026 (67 HD) - Artwork Production February 2026: Installation
December 2025 - April 2026 (59-63 HD) - Artwork Production April 2026: Installation
Artwork Location
Site Description
The location focuses on the lawns situated at the front of the Higher Drive sites.
Since a considerable amount of space at the front of the development is paved for car parking, the lawns offer the opportunity to display artworks interspersed among the planting.
The locations have been chosen to maximise their visibility for both residents and the general public, who would be able to see them from the pavement.
The artworks would therefore aid in creating a welcoming atmosphere for residents, as well as improving enriching the visual amenities of the neighbourhood.
The design should build upon the architectural character of the development, which will take reference from local buildings.
The architecture will therefore incorporate materials such as red and brown brick, vertical black timber louvres, metal balustrades and venetian style timber fencing.
Material choices would be informed by consideration for these environmental needs, featuring wood, stone and reclaimed materials.
Stage of Career - We encourage both established career artists and discovering young, up-and-coming artists, who present exciting and innovative approaches to contemporary art production.
Local artists - The aim of the project is to connect with as many local artists and multidisciplinary creatives as possible.
Non-local - If applicants from outside Croydon do apply, then we will be asking them to propose how their project will engage with
local artists and foster local collaboration, as well as providing a capacity for local mentoring and support of artists.
Under-represented - We especially encourage applications from communities who are under-represented in public art commissions, particularly those who identify as members of ethnic minority groups.
• Relevance of the proposal, the concepts explored & how it will relate to the context
• Fresh contextual research that is used as a theme of the artwork
• Quality of visuals, drawings or mock-ups of the proposed artwork
• Achievability & feasibility of proposal, with particular emphasis on technical parameters and how these are met
• Detail of proposed fabrication, technical consideration for durability, installation & maintenance
• Accuracy of the budget and value for money in fabrication & artist’s fee
• Realistic timeline with sufficient contingency & allowances
• Artist’s understanding of the project’s demands & ability to manage the process
SELECTION CRITERIA
Supporting Documents
• Suitability of the artist practice
• Creative potential, approach & ambition
• Quality of portfolio & realisation of artwork commissions
• Artist’s engagement with the scheme through their Artist Statement
• Qualifications & relevant past experience
production and workshops, which will not only be a way of involving the local community in the public art but also a research tool to enrich thematic concepts.
The appointed artists will also consider how their community engagement and research can be accessibly presented
and preserved to the long-term benefit of the wider community.
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