Ealing (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Ealing Council has announced a call for artists to design murals and public artworks in Southall, with applications open until 3 September 2025.
The project intends to enhance the appearance and feel of certain parts of the town while celebrating Southall’s rich history and diversity.
Commissions will be erected in six notable locations as part of the Southall Public Art Project, which is supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
Shops and the surrounding area along Southall Broadway are among them, as are the Dominion Centre and Southall Library, the Southall train station bridge, the Southall Broadway bridge, the Norwood Road bridge across the Grand Union Canal, and the Merrick Road footbridge. The commissions have budgets ranging from £10,000 to £85,000.
The project, dubbed a “transformative initiative” by Ealing Council, aims to distinguish Southall as a cultural destination and improve the experience of both locals and tourists.
Councillor Blerina Hashani, cabinet member for thriving communities, said:
“We want to celebrate Southall’s rich history, heritage and vibrant cultural diversity. By working with the community and artists to create public artworks, we want to foster a sense of pride and revitalise the look of public spaces in Southall for everyone who lives, works and visits there.”
The following themes are being addressed by the concepts that artists, designers, and architects are being asked to submit: Southall’s heritage, the experience of migration, the revival of its creative community, and its future vision.
The council states that in order to guarantee that the artworks represent the community’s lived experiences, cooperation with local stakeholders and citizens will be a part of the process.
In addition to enhancing the town’s main thoroughfares and entrances, the commissions are expected to “create legacy, break stereotypes, foster community engagement, and enhance the aesthetic appeal of public spaces,” according to the organizers.
How will community engagement be required in proposals?
Proposals must demonstrate meaningful collaboration with local participants, community groups, and stakeholders to ensure that the artworks acknowledge the local arts and cultural diversity and heritage. Preference will be given to proposals that provide clear indication of strategies to engage local community members and strategize aspects of the work in collaboration with local residents.
Artists are encouraged to collaborate with community members as part of the creative process, whether this be ideation, the incorporation of community design possibilities, or participatory art processes.
Artworks meaningfully engage community and build openness, inclusivity, and connection while creating pride in being local and identity and meaning.
Engagement strategies should need to be formulated to create resonant educational and immersive experiences for the public in ways that foster both cultural awareness and community connection.