Artist Commission - Gravesham: My Home

Artist Commission Brief: Gravesham: My Home

We invite artists and creatives to propose their ideas and work to create new exhibition titled, Gravesham: My Home, an ambitious, immersive showcase exploring the meaning of home within our borough and its diverse communities.

The exhibition should use the entire gallery space, transforming it into a rich, layered reflection of Gravesham.  We are seeking proposals that are open in interpretation and bold in execution. 

You are invited to use any medium, including (but not limited to) installation, sculpture, mixed media, photography, painting).

At its heart, Gravesham: My Home is about connection; how people experience, define and shape the place they live.  We encourage artists to explore themes such as identity, memory, heritage, change and community. 

Proposals may take a research-led approach drawing on local histories, archives and lived experiences to construct a timeline or narrative of Gravesham and its evolving identity. Alternatively, artists may choose to focus on a contemporary depiction of the borough as it exists today, capturing its energy, diversity and complexity.

The exhibition should include a Community Wall.  A dedicated, evolving space where residents and visitors can contribute their own voices, stories and reflections on what Gravesham means to them.

We are particularly interested in work that:

·       Engages meaningfully with local communities or reflects authentic lived experiences

·       Offers fresh or underrepresented perspectives on Gravesham

·       Invites participation, dialogue, or interaction

·       Pushes creative boundaries while remaining accessible and inclusive

Once the exhibition is installed, the artist will be required to deliver two workshops inspired by the exhibition theme:

·       One workshop for children / young people, designed to be accessible, creative and engaging

·       One workshop for adults, which may explore the themes in greater depth or through a more reflective or skills-based approach

·       Capacity for both workshops is 10 participants.

The workshops should meaningfully connect to the artist’s work and the wider theme of Gravesham: My Home, encouraging participants to reflect on their own sense of place, identity and community.  Artists should outline their proposed workshop ideas as part of their submission.

Exhibition Schedule:

Installation: 20^th July, 10am – 4pm

Private Viewing:  20^th July, 5pm – 7pm

Deinstallation:  30^th August, 10am – 4pm

Artists must be available for both installation and deinstallation dates and ensure all work is safely installed and removed within the agreed timeframe.  The private viewing is an opportunity for invited guests to meet with and discuss the artist’s work. 

The exhibition should feel cohesive yet diverse.  An environment where multiple narratives coexist, overlap and challenge one another.  Ultimately, Gravesham: My Home aims to celebrate the borough not as a fixed idea, but as a living, evolving place shaped by the people who call it home.

Submission requirements:

·       Proposal outlining your concept and approach

·       Visual references or examples of previous work

·       Outline of any research, community engagement or collaboration involved

·       Initial ideas for both workshops (children & adults)

·       Technical requirements and special considerations

Please note that the gallery uses wire hanging system.

Project budget:

£2500

All proposals will be presented as anonymous to a panel who will use the following criteria to score the work:

·       Relevance to theme:

How clearly the work reflects ‘My Home’ in the context of Gravesham 

Connection to local culture, places or personal experiences in the area

·       Creativity and originality:

Unique perspective or interpretation of ‘home’

Innovative use of materials, composition or storytelling

·       Emotional Impact:

Ability to evoke feelings, memory or belonging

Engagement and resonance with the viewer

·       Composition, presentation and overall exhibition experience:

Visual balance and organization within the piece

Clarity and neatness of final work

How the artwork is displayed within the exhibition space

Consideration of layout, positioning and interaction with visitors

Contribution to the overall atmosphere or narrative of the exhibition

·       Interpretation of local identity:

Representation of Gravesham’s people, places or diversity

Clear sense of what ‘home’ means in this local context

Submissions should be emailed to artsandculture@gravesham.gov.uk

Submission deadline: Monday 15^th June 2026