What's in a Name? Place Naming Commission

About the Open Call

_What's in a Name?_ is an arts project commissioned by Public Art Matters on behalf of Taylor Wimpey.The commission will be amongst the first in a series of new cultural commissions for the [Former Wisley Airfield](https://wisleyairfield.com/), a major new housing development in the parish of Ockham, Surrey, which will evolve over the next 13 years.We invite applications from writers, wordsmiths, artists and poets with a demonstrable interest in heritage and place-based research to develop a clear naming methodology which will be applied to the new neighbourhoods and surrounding green spaces. Outputs will include suggested names for the first neighbourhood and a short place based poem. To assist with the selected artist's place-based research, the commission will include engagement with local stakeholders to reflect and incorporate local heritage to help anchor the new development within its local context.Below is the detailed project brief, and further down the page is an online form for expressing an interest in the project.Commission BriefThe brief can be viewed online below, and downloaded. Methods for downloading the pdf varies depending on your browser.Expression of InterestPlease use the form below to make your submission before 12pm on Monday 20th October 2025:Section 1 - DetailsPlease provide the following contact details:Name*Insert either individual or company nameFirst name of contact*Last name of contact*Address of contact*Email address of contact*Telephone number for contact*Section 2 - InsurancePlease indicate what, if any, level of insurance you hold for the following:Public Liability*Product Liability*Employer’s Liability*Section 3 - Professional conductPlease answer the following questions:Have you or your organisation been convicted of a criminal offence relating to the conduct of its business or profession?*YesNoHave you or your organisation failed to fulfil its obligations relating to the payment of contributions and taxes under the law of any part of the United Kingdom?*YesNoHave you or your organisation had a contract cancelled, or not renewed, for failure to perform to the terms of that contract?*YesNoHave you or any of persons who have powers of representation, decision or control of the organisation involved in the application: a) been convicted of a criminal offence including, but not limited to, conspiracy, corruption, bribery, fraud, cheating the Revenue, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering or theft;*YesNob) committed an act of grave misconduct in the course of its business or profession?*YesNoIf the answer to any of the above questions is yes, please provide details here: Section 4 - RefereePlease provide the details of a referee who may contact if you are selected for this commission:Referee's Name*Referee's Organisation Referee's role in organisation Email address of referee*Telephone number for referee*Section 5 - Additional InformationPlease use this space to add any further information Section 6 - Upload Expression of InterestPlease attach a pdf file below as described within the Project BriefUpload your Expression of Interest document here. Include the name of the artist within the file name.*Upload a FileDrag and drop files hereChoose a fileDrop files here to uploadUpload a FileDrag and drop files hereChoose a fileCancelofFiles must be a PDF file less than 10mb in size. The file will begin uploading when you press 'Submit EOI'CancelofPress here to submit EOIShould be Empty:

What is Offered

The commission will include engagement with local stakeholders and will involve developing a naming methodology, suggested names for the first neighbourhood, and a short place-based poem.

Requirements

Applications are invited from writers, wordsmiths, artists, and poets with a demonstrable interest in heritage and place-based research. Applicants must indicate their level of public liability, product liability, and employer's liability insurance, and answer questions regarding professional conduct. A referee's details are required. Submissions must include a PDF file (less than 10mb) as an Expression of Interest.

How to Apply

Please use the online form on the page to make your submission before 12pm on Monday 20th October 2025. Applicants must attach a PDF file as described in the Project Brief, including the artist's name within the file name.