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Former Royal Mail building, on Forth Street artwork commission open call
What is the opportunity?
This is an open call for a visual artist to create a series of eight artworks for the window boards on the former Royal Mail building on Forth Street.
The commission is part of the Central Gateway Connectivity project, which is improving routes around Newcastle Central Station, including Orchard Street Tunnel, Forth Street Tunnel and Forth Street itself. It is funded by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority and Homes England.
The theme for this commission is Nature vs Industry. Artists are invited to respond to the tension, relationship and coexistence between Newcastle’s industrial heritage and the presence of nature within the urban environment.
Read the guidelines for more information about the site and theme.
The finished artwork should transform the currently empty frontage of the building into a visually engaging piece of public art.
Who is it for?
This opportunity is for visual artists interested in creating significant public artwork in Newcastle city centre.
We welcome applications from artists across the UK, but are particularly interested in artists who are based in, work in, or have strong links to the North East region.
The selected artist must be able to complete the artwork between September and December 2026 (exact dates to be agreed with the Creative Central NCL team).
What are we looking for?
We’re looking for an artist who can create a distinctive, site-responsive artwork that:
- responds to the theme of Nature vs Industry
- considers the site’s industrial heritage, including its links to the Boiler Shop, Pattern Shop, Stephenson’s Rocket and the development of the railways
- explores the contrast between industrial and organic forms, or ideas of reclamation, growth and coexistence
- can be approached as a linear sequence across the eight panels, a series of individual but related works, or a single composition spanning all eight
- can be painted onto marine grade plywood boards, which Creative Central NCL will supply and prime
Full details about the site, theme, surface and practical requirements are included in the guidelines, read them here.
What are the non-negotiable criteria?
Your proposal must:
- be an original artwork created for the former Royal Mail building on Forth Street
- respond to the theme of Nature vs Industry
- be deliverable between September and December 2026
- be suitable for painting onto marine grade plywood window boards
What support is included?
The selected artist will receive:
- £7,000 total commission fee, including design, materials and painting
- primed marine grade plywood boards, supplied by Creative Central NCL
- varnishing and installation of the finished artwork, carried out by Creative Central NCL
- support finding nearby space for painting and storage, if needed
- support with permits
- promotion via Creative Central NCL social media and communications activity
Application process
The deadline for applications is 9am (BST) on Monday 24 August 2026.
Applications should be the equivalent of one side of A4 or a maximum two-minute audio/video recording, and must include:
- a brief artist bio
- links to your previous work or portfolio
- a summary of your idea and how it responds to the brief
- a quick sketch of your idea, or supporting images that help explain your approach
If your proposal involves the use of AI, you must clearly state this and describe the extent of its use. AI-generated images should not be used as your sketch or as example images.
Submitting your application
Send your application to:
Subject line: Forth Street Royal Mail
If you have questions or access needs, contact:
Vikki Leaney vikki.leaney@newcastle.gov.uk
Anna Czigler anna.czigler@newcastle.gov.uk
Key dates
- Application deadline: 9am (BST) on Monday 24 August 2026
- Shortlisting: week commencing 7 September 2026
- Artist notified: week commencing 14 September 2026
- Project delivery: between September and December 2026
Before you apply
Please read the full guidelines before starting your application here.
The guidelines give more details on the location, the theme, what to include in your application and how the process will work.