Youth-Led Mural Artist Commission – Playland, Portsmouth
Artswork, working in partnership with young cultural changemakers at Playland, Portsmouth, is seeking an experienced mural artist to work collaboratively with young people aged 16 to 30 to co-create a mural or a series of smaller murals for our youth-led creative space. We want the artwork to help make Playland feel more welcoming, cohesive and reflective of the identities, ideas and experiences of the young people who use it. The artwork should contribute to a space that feels more like a home for young people, while remaining versatile enough to accommodate exhibitions, performances, workshops, meetings and other youth-led creative activity.
Context
Playland supports young people aged 16 to 30 to develop creative projects, build skills and create opportunities for themselves and their communities.
Young people have opportunities to lead workshops in creative skills and practices of their choice and to turn their ideas into reality, whether that means developing an exhibition, leading a community project or exploring a new area of creative practice. For many, this represents their first experience of facilitating or leading creative activity.
We are currently exploring ideas around third spaces, community cohesion, belonging and the future and legacy of Playland through listening consultations with young people. The findings from this work will help inform the mural design.
Brief
We are looking for a mural artist to work with Playland’s young cultural changemakers and the Artswork team to develop and deliver a mural, or a series of smaller murals, informed by young people’s ideas, interests and experiences.
The artwork should contribute to a stronger sense of identity, belonging and ownership within Playland. It should respond to the character and purpose of the space, complement the wider interior design and work within an environment that needs to accommodate a variety of creative and community activities.
The artist will be expected to lead an inclusive and engaging creative process, supporting young people to shape the artwork and, where appropriate, participate in its creation. We welcome a range of artistic approaches and visual styles, provided they are responsive to the space, the young people involved and the practical requirements of the commission.
The commission will include:
- Reviewing findings and materials from Playland’s listening consultations to understand the ideas, experiences and priorities emerging from young people.
- Planning and facilitating an inclusive co-creation process that gives young people meaningful influence over the development of the artwork.
- Working with young people to explore visual ideas, themes, imagery, colour, materials and techniques.
- Sharing artistic skills and knowledge through workshops, mentoring and practical creative activity.
- Developing an agreed mural concept or series of smaller murals that responds to the space and the ideas generated through the co-creation process.
- Working collaboratively with the commissioned interior designer to ensure the artwork complements the wider design, including its colour palette, materials, layout and overall atmosphere.
- Considering how the artwork can contribute to a welcoming, accessible and inclusive environment, taking account of different sensory needs and the experiences of neurodivergent young people.
- Identifying suitable surfaces, materials and installation methods, taking account of durability, maintenance, health and safety, and the existing condition of the space.
- Working with Artswork to develop a realistic plan for delivering the artwork within the agreed budget and timetable.
- Supporting young people to participate in the making and installation process where appropriate and safe to do so.
- Completing the agreed artwork within Playland by the end of January 2027, working collaboratively with Artswork, the interior designer and any relevant contractors or suppliers.
A fee of up to £5300 is available for this work to include the artist’s time, travel, expenses, workshop materials and VAT.
Deadline: 17.00 Monday 16 November 2026
Submit a Proposal
Please submit:
- a short expression of interest of no more than two sides of A4, explaining:
- why you are interested in the commission;
- how you would approach the co-design process;
- how your experience relates to the brief; and
- how you would take the project from design through to realisation;
2. your CV or a summary of relevant experience; and
3. up to five examples of relevant work, or a link to an online portfolio.
We do not expect applicants to develop a design for Playland at application stage. We are primarily interested in your approach, experience and ability to work collaboratively with young people.
Please send your application to Anastasia Alexandru at anastasiaalexandru@artswork.org.uk by 5pm on Monday 16 November 2026.
Applications will be assessed against the criteria set out in this brief by a selection panel that includes young people involved in Playland.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview at Playland on Wednesday 25 November or Thursday 26 November 2026. Please let us know if you require access support or reasonable adjustments to participate in the application or interview process.
Find out more about the work we have been doing at Playland.