Light Festival Commission - St Andrew's Arts Centre

Gravesham Light Festival 2027 – GALACTIC GLOW

Artist Commission Brief: St Andrew’s Arts Centre

A youth-focused public art commission for a glowing installation inspired by space, stars and cosmic imagination.

We are seeking an artist, creative collective, young person-led art group or organisation to design and deliver a new glowing installation as part of the 2027 Gravesham Light Festival. The commission should create a visually striking public artwork inside St Andrews Arts Centre, that feels imaginative, welcoming and accessible, inviting audiences to explore ideas of space, planets, stars, galaxies, light, movement and shared futures.

Theme: Galactic Glow

The installation must respond clearly to the Galactic Glow theme. Proposals may explore constellations, imagined planets, cosmic landscapes, space travel, meteor showers, star maps, science fiction, community stories written in the stars, or the sense of wonder created by looking up at the night sky.

Location

The installation will be located inside St Andrew’s Arts Centre, a grade II listed building and former mission church. Artwork must remain free standing.

Who Can Apply

Artists, designers, makers, creative collectives or community arts organisations with experience of public-facing work.

Young person-led art groups, youth arts collectives or emerging artists aged 18+.

Artists or organisations who can demonstrate meaningful experience of working creatively with young people.

Collaborative proposals involving schools, youth groups, community groups or young creatives.

Artwork Requirements

The installation must glow, illuminate, reflect, fluoresce or otherwise use light as a central visual feature.

The artwork must have a clear connection to the theme.

The work should be suitable for display and be safe, robust and accessible for audiences of different ages.

Materials and power use should be considered carefully, with sustainable and reusable approaches encouraged.

The installation may be sculptural, digital, projection-based, interactive, participatory, sound-responsive or mixed media, provided light remains central to the experience.

Working With Young People

The commissioned artist or group must involve young people in the development of the artwork. This could include co-design workshops, creative consultation, making sessions, youth-led decision-making, skills development, mentoring or opportunities for young people to contribute visual ideas, words, patterns, symbols or components to the final installation.

Selection Criteria

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: strength, originality and visual impact of the proposed idea.

·       Theme response: clear and imaginative connection to Galactic Glow.

·       Youth involvement: quality and depth of the proposed engagement with young people or youth-led practice.

·       Public experience: accessibility, audience appeal and suitability for a light festival setting.

·       Feasibility: realistic budget, timeline, technical approach, safety considerations and ability to deliver.

·       Sustainability: responsible use of materials, energy and potential for reuse or future presentation.

Artist obligations

Artists are expected to be on site for the duration of the festival and always supervise the installation. All costs for the piece including materials, install and de-install must be included in the budget along with security considerations. Access for installation will be on Friday 29 January, de-installation must take place on Saturday 30 January after 8.30pm. Access outside of these dates will be subject to further discussions.

The total fee is up to £2,500

The total available commission is inclusive of artist fee, materials, travel, 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.

How to apply:
Artists should submit the following by email to: artsandculture@gravesham.gov.uk paying close attention to the selection criteria.

·       A short description of the proposed installation and how it responds to Galactic Glow.

·       Initial sketches and examples of what the piece might look like.

·       A description of how young people will be involved in the creative process.

·       An outline budget, including artist fees, materials, fabrication, installation, technical support and maintenance.

·       A delivery timeline, including design, youth engagement, production, installation and removal.

·       Any access, safety, power, stewarding or technical requirements.

Submissions should be clearly titled Light Festival 2027 – St Andrews AC and emailed to: artsandculture@gravesham.gov.uk

Deadline: Midnight on  21^st September 2026