Public Art Commission Open Call: National Memorial to Journalists on the Frontline

About the Open Call

The Royal Society of Sculptors, in partnership with the On The Record memorial trustees, invites submissions to design and deliver an innovative public artwork at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. This memorial will commemorate UK and UK-based journalists killed in conflict. The project has a total budget of £550,000, which includes the memorial's production, installation, maintenance provisions, and a complementary scale work for St Bride’s Church in Fleet Street. The initiative aims to honor courage, sacrifice, and the value of free speech while serving as an educational resource.

What is Offered

A total budget of £550,000 inclusive of artist fees, production, installation, and maintenance. Shortlisted artists receive a £500 fee plus up to £100 for travel expenses for a site visit.

Requirements

The call is open to UK-based artists and sculptors with experience in nationally and internationally important public commissions. Works must be durable, easy to maintain, and integrated into the Arboretum’s landscape.

How to Apply

Submissions must be made through CuratorSpace. Candidates should provide a CV, examples of previous work of a similar scale, a one-page response to the brief, and a draft visualization or concept drawing.