Artists offered £500 for town public artwork ideas

Artists with ideas for public artwork in a Devon town could be paid £500, the local council has said.

It comes after North Devon Council said it was looking for ideas to decorate Barnstaple, as part of its Flourishing Barnstaple initiative.

A council spokesperson said ideas could range from a single large commission to several smaller pieces.

The total budget is £200,000 and has been funded through the Cultural Development Fund, delivered by Arts Council England on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Lead member for economic development and regeneration, councillor Malcolm Prowse, said the project celebrated "Barnstaple's rich heritage, and also offers a creative response to the evolving needs of our community".

"By engaging with our history and modern identity, the public art installation has the potential to become a valued landmark, fostering pride among residents and offering a fresh cultural experience for visitors."

He added: "I look forward to seeing how local artists capture the spirit of Barnstaple and contribute to its ongoing revitalisation through arts and culture."

The commissions will be awarded through a two-stage application process, with up to 10 artists selected at the first stage to further develop their proposals.

The expression of interest stage is intended to shortlist suitable artists, those chosen to develop their ideas will receive a payment of £500.

Expressions of interest can be submitted until 17:00 GMT on 18 November.

The delivery and installation of artworks is expected to be completed by the end of January 2026.

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