Artist Commission: Remembrance: Now, Then, Always

This commission brings together artists and community participants to explore the evolving meaning of remembrance today. In collaboration with the Gravesend Poppy Appeal, the project seeks to honour the legacy of those who have served while re-interpreting remembrance for present and future generations.

We recognise that remembrance is not static – it is lived, felt and expressed differently across communities, cultures and generations. This project will culminate in a public exhibition at St Georges Arts Centre accompanied by meaningful community engagement activities.

We are seeking artists (individuals or collectives) to develop new work that responds to the ethos of remembrance today. Artists will be expected to:

·       Create original work for exhibition of any medium including (but not limited to) installation, sculpture, mixed media, photography, painting suitable for the exhibition space

·       Engage with the local community, cadet & youth groups through workshops, conversations or co-creations

·       Respond to archival materials, lived experiences, or contemporary perspectives on remembrance

·       Collaborate with project partners to ensure sensitivity and authenticity

·       Fill the exhibition space in its entirety

The total fee is up to £2,500

The total available commission is inclusive of artist fee, materials, travel, workshop delivery, preparation time, and documentation costs. Artists should provide a realistic outline of how they would allocate the budget in relation to the scale of the proposed activity.

Project Aims:

·       To reinterpret remembrance in a modern context while respecting its historical foundations

·       To create intergenerational dialogue around memory, service, sacrifice, and legacy

·       To engage communities in the creative process

·       To create a thought-provoking exhibition that resonates emotionally and intellectually

A core element of this project is community engagement. Artists should propose ways to involve the community, such as:

·       Creative workshops with schools, veterans or cadet groups

·       Oral history or storytelling

·       Participatory artwork sessions

·       Informal gatherings

·       Digital or a form of interactive elements

The final work will be presented in an exhibition at St George’s Arts Centre from Tuesday 3 – Sunday 15 November. Installation will be on Monday 2 November with deinstall on Monday 15 November. Artists will be responsible for all aspects of the project including exhibition installation, interpretation and removal by the dates stated.

How to apply:
Artists should submit the following by email to: artsandculture@gravesham.gov.uk

·       A detailed project proposal outlining concept and approach

·       Visual references and examples of previous work

·       Outline of any research, community engagement or collaboration involved

·       Exhibition plan, technical requirements and special considerations

·       Full budget breakdown

Please note that the gallery uses a wire hanging system

Selection: A selection panel will review submissions and may invite a shortlist to take part in an on-line interview to answer any questions that may arise from the panel. All proposals will be presented as anonymous to the panel who will use the following criteria to score the work:

·     Artistic quality, creativity and originality:

Innovative use of materials, composition or storytelling

·     Relevance to the theme of remembrance:

How clearly the work reflects the theme and meets the projects aims

·     Strength and feasibility of project & community engagement plan:

Clear details of participants, groups, and project process

·     Ability to deliver in the timeframe and available budget:

Clear budget breakdown, project & exhibition plan, delivery timescales

Submissions should be clearly titled Remembrance 2026 and emailed to: artsandculture@gravesham.gov.uk

Deadline: Midnight on Monday 6 July 2026