[closed] Four Opportunities for Utility Cabinets

What is it?

This is an open call for visual artists to create a series of small-scale, hand-painted (or sprayed) artworks on utility cabinets around the Creative Central NCL area in Newcastle City Centre. 

These commissions will act as creative wayfinding – helping people navigate the city centre through playful, eye-catching artworks inspired by nearby creative, cultural and heritage venues and landmarks. The cabinets will form part of an evolving visual story about Creative Central NCL and the artists, businesses and communities shaping the area.

There are four commissions available, covering 17 utility cabinets in total. Three commissions will each cover four cabinets, and one commission will cover five cabinets.

Who is it for?

This opportunity is for visual artists who want to showcase small-scale artwork in public space and help people find their way around central Newcastle in a creative, unexpected way.

We welcome applications from creatives across the UK but are especially interested in artists and organisations based in or with strong links to the North of Tyne area, including Newcastle, Northumberland, and North Tyneside.

All selected artists must be able to complete painting (or spraying) their allocated utility cabinets by 20 March 2026, with exact dates to be agreed with the Creative Central NCL team.

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for artists who can create distinctive, site-responsive designs that:

• Work at a small scale but still have visual impact in a busy city centre
• Take advantage of the utility cabinet format and their specific locations
• Help people navigate towards nearby creative, cultural and heritage venues and landmarks – without acting as direct advertisements

Your artwork must be painted or sprayed directly onto the cabinets (vinyl wraps are not permitted).

What are the non-negotiable criteria?

All submitted ideas must respond to the guidelines and brief which you can find here.

• Be original
  • Your proposal must be your own response to this brief and not copied from existing work by other artists.
• Respond to wayfinding and local context
  • Your idea must consider the way people move through the area and use creative wayfinding cues inspired by nearby venues, organisations, and landmarks within the Creative Central NCL footprint.
  • You should not directly name venues, and your design must not read as advertising. You can use imagery, motifs, or general phrases such as “ART THIS WAY” rather than specific branding. 
• Be deliverable by March 2026
  • You must be able to complete painting or spraying your allocated cabinets no later than 20 March 2026.

In addition, designs must follow the utility cabinet provider guidelines, including:

• Keeping vents, keyholes, warning signs, numbering and existing signage clear and unobstructed
• No content that is offensive or could be construed as offensive
• No political content
• No advertising, logos or QR codes
• Designs must not be distracting to traffic
• Members of the public must be able to continue using the footpaths safely while work is being installed
• Finished works must be suitable for varnishing with the supplied varnish

Support and Budget

Each commissioned artist will receive:

• £2,400 commission fee, including all materials (excluding varnish) for four cabinets*
• £300 maintenance payment, covering up to one day for minor repairs within 12 months of completion
• Help with any necessary permits
• Promotion via Creative Central NCL channels, including social media and press activity

*One of the four commissions will be for five utility cabinets and will receive an additional £600.

Application Process

Please read the guidelines in full before starting your application.

Deadline for applications 9am on Monday 15 December 2025.

Applications should be the equivalent of one side of A4 or a maximum two-minute audio/video recording, and must include:

• A quick sketch of your idea (this does not need to be a finished design) or supporting images from previous work or inspiration that help explain your approach
• A brief artist bio
• Links to your previous work or portfolio
• A summary of your idea and how it responds to the brief

We’ve kept the application process as simple and flexible as possible. If you need this information in a different format or have specific access requirements, please contact us to discuss what would work best for you.

Submitting your application

Send your application to: info@creativecentralncl.co.uk
Subject line: Utility Cabinets – Wayfinding

You will be notified about the outcome of your application the week of 12 January 2026.

If you have questions or access needs, contact:

Anna Czigler – anna.czigler@newcastle.gov.uk

Vikki Leaney – vikki.leaney@newcastle.gov.uk

Creative Central NCL is funded by the North East Combined Authority and Newcastle City Council.