Experience of applying for public art/ art in public realm commissions.

When applying for a public art/ public realm commission, the amount of time and written work required is a real barrier for Artists in terms of accessibility.

“Tried to apply and started applications, but I have ADHD. The amount of written work that is required is too much.”

“The process of applying for a public art commission and the amount of written work required is too much. This is work in itself and Artists should be paid for their time.”

“Learn how to read briefs. Considering what the commissioner wants and is looking for. Very specific and thought about how my work fitted. This process really helped me to clarify my ideas and a way of developing my practice.”

“These opportunities are actually rigged in my favour as an Artist. I have a unique combination of skills that make it easy for me to apply and secure commissions. They include my organisational skills, good at writing essays - useful when writing proposals, being able to sell what you are going to do to a non arts audience, clients and partners.”

“Public art commissions really don’t suit my practice as they are outcome driven. Commissioning Artists to develop the project with a final design. There needs to be more faith in things needing to develop through conversation.”

“Call outs are confusing, pretentious terminology, councils are very institutional and use Artists to solve problems they actually can’t solve themselves. Councils ask for too much from one individual Artist and with many outcomes.”