Opportunity details | Paint Lab 2026 - A weekend of live painting inspired by science.

Paint Lab 2026 - A weekend of live painting inspired by science.

Deadline: 09/02/2026

City: London | Region: London | Country: United Kingdom | Jo Peel

Paid opportunity

Take part in Paint Lab – a weekend of live painting celebrating art and science. We’re inviting 8 London-based artists to each collaborate with a researcher from Imperial College London to create an artwork inspired by science - live over the weekend of the annual Great Exhibition Road Festival (6-7 June 2026) on Exhibition Road, South Kensington.

Paint Lab brings cutting-edge science to life through live mural painting right in the middle of London’s iconic Exhibition Road.

This is your chance to collaborate directly with pioneering scientists, transforming their discoveries into vibrant public art.

You'll be part of a spectacular weekend celebration of art and science that last year drew over 50,000 visitors!

The Process

If successful in your application, you will be introduced to a scientific researcher in late February and will then have until April to complete your proposed design.

This process will involve whatever support you require in the way of brainstorms and research material. 

The Canvas

We will provide you with an approximately 8’ x 8’ wood surface, which will be mounted on a large easel for you to get creative with. 

Your Payment

We will offer a fixed fee of £1200 (incl VAT) that will include materials, as well as two days of preparation and two days of live painting on 6 and 7 June 2026 at The Great Exhibition Road Festival.

You can see the works from previous years here:

Paint Lab 2023
Paint Lab 2024
Paint Lab 2025

We look forward to seeing your applications!

Make a submission Contact the curator

Who is eligible for this opportunity?

We are seeking artists who are comfortable working in a public setting and able to create a large-scale artwork within a two-day timeframe. This opportunity is ideal for artists experienced in live or on-site painting and interested in engaging with the public during the creative process.

When is the deadline?

9th February 2026.

How many works can I submit?

Please submit up to 5 examples of your artwork that showcase your skills and represent the style of work you’d like to create for this project.

When is the delivery date?

The festival runs over the weekend of 6–7 June 2026 as part of the Great Exhibition Road Festival. Artists will be expected to paint on site across both days. In advance of the festival, each artist will be paired with a scientific researcher from Imperial College, working together to develop the concept for the artwork created live during the event.

Are there payments to artists?

Yes. We will offer a fixed fee of £1200 (incl VAT) that includes the cost of any materials, as well as two days of preparation and two days of live painting on 6 and 7 June 2026 at The Great Exhibition Road Festival.

Does the location have disabled access?

If you have any access or disability requirements, please let us know in your application, and we will make arrangements to support you during the event.

How do you decide on proposals?

Proposals will be assessed based on the quality of the artwork, suitability for display in a public setting, and how effectively the proposal complements the work of the other selected artists and associated scientific research projects.

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