Public Realm Art Commission

Public Realm Art Commission

Newcastle City Council Closing date: Sun, 06 Sep 2026

Artform: Design
Role: Creative
Contract: Contract
North East

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 "> published -

Job Summary

Newcastle City Council is looking to commission artist(s) to deliver a public realm art project next to Hadrian Square in Byker, Newcastle. The aim of the project is to redesign and retrofit the guardrail at the front of the square.

Job Description

This commission is open to individual artists and/or collaborative teams, who are encouraged to share roles and responsibilities to best support the project's delivery. The commission will include community engagement with key stakeholders with designs developed collaboratively during the project, that informs the final artwork which should enhance the area and celebrate Byker's distinctive character.

Key Objectives:
Engage the local community in the design and creation of the artwork.
Create an imaginative piece that helps create a sense of pride in the area.
Be responsive to the context of the space.
Ensure the final artwork is safe, robust and easy to maintain.

Key Outputs:
Regular engagement with key stakeholders (at the start, during the process and in the final stage of the commission).
Redesign and retrofit of the guardrail at the front of Hadrian Square.

You can view the full brief using the 'Artist's Brief' link further down the page.

Job Requirements

We are keen to hear from artist(s) who have completed similar projects before, and who have tried and tested approaches to improving public spaces. Any proposed approach must be robust, have longevity and be developed in collaboration with the local community and relevant stakeholders.

The commissioned artist(s) will be required to engage with key stakeholders and the local community to redesign the guardrail at the front of Hadrian Square which clearly:
Connects to the local area, surrounding context and identifies Hadrian Square.
Engages key stakeholders and the local community at all stages of the project - at the start, during the process and in the final stage of the commission.

The commissioned artwork will need to:
Be original and of a high quality.
Include the designs/ideas/concepts provided through engagement session(s).
Consider environmental/sustainable methods.
Be fit for purpose including being safe, robust and easy to maintain.

Job Responsibilities

As part of the commission, the artist(s) will be required to:
Arrange fabrication of the artwork.
Provide a detailed installation plan.
Retrofit the existing guardrail with the final artwork.

You can view the full brief at the 'Artist's Brief' link below.

Fee

An all-inclusive budget of up to £20,000 has been agreed for the project. This budget covers but is not limited to; artist fees, engagement sessions, site visits, materials, fabrication, installation and contingencies.

The artist(s) will need to submit a budget breakdown showing allocation of monies to each part of the commission. This should include a contingency sum to cover unforeseen work and costs.

Useful Links

Job Overview

  • Job Title: Public Realm Art Commission
  • Salary: £15k-£20k
  • Hours: Full time
  • Artform: Design
  • Role: Creative
  • Contract: Contract
  • Closing date: Sun, 06 Sep 2026
  • Location:
    North East

How to Apply

Full details on how to apply and what you need to submit as part of your application are contained within the full Artist's Brief. You can view the brief using the 'Artist's Brief' link above or the 'Apply Now' link below.

We have tried to keep the application process for this opportunity as simple and flexible as possible. However, if you require this information in a different format or have any specific access requirements, you can contact Noor Jan-Mohamed for a conversation.

Application deadline is midnight on the 6 September 2026.