Artist Call-Out: My Museum – Wardown House, Museum & Gallery
Deadline for expressions of interest: 23rd February (submissions may close early if we are oversubscribed).
Commission Fee: £1200 plus materials.
Location: Luton.
Project Partners: Full House Theatre & The Culture Trust Luton.
About the Project: My Museum is a new, child-focused family trail coming to Wardown House, Museum & Gallery this May. This is a National Heritage Lottery funded project and for the past two years, Full House Theatre, The Culture Trust, local schools, and community groups have been co‑creating this celebration of Luton’s heritage through the eyes of young people.
At the heart of the trail will be a series of new bespoke display cases. The cases will contain objects chosen and interpreted by local young people, capturing the diversity, creativity and everyday stories of the town.
We’re inviting artists to realise a design onto the exterior of these cases, transforming each one into a unique artwork that reflects Luton’s character, culture and community.
Please note: The cases will be made by a specialist museum fabricator and are not part of this brief.
What We’re Looking For: We welcome applications from artists working in any visual art discipline. This might include: mural art, illustration, graphic art, painting (in any medium), pattern design, street art, mixed media and cultural and heritage-inspired art forms.
We especially encourage applications from Luton-based artists and those whose work reflects the town’s diversity.
Your brief: Bring the exterior of a My Museum case to life using your creative style. Designs should be bold, engaging, family-friendly, and respond to a brief developed by young people through engagement with Wardown House, Museum and Gallery. The cases will be a long-term installation at Wardown, so designs must be durable and meet the museum’s health and safety requirements (support will be provided).
Time commitment & key dates (Provisional):
- An introduction session (half day) at Wardown House, Museum and Gallery on 26th March 10am – 12pm.
- Submit and agree draft plans for exterior design of case from 26th March with designs finalised by 15th April.
- Design and realise from mid-April with a completion date of 6th May.
- Public launch date 17th May (all day) with the creation and provision of an interactive drop-in activity linked to your design.
Delivery/collection of cases at location to be agreed with each artist.
Fee & Support:
- £1200 artist fee (inclusive of travel).
- A separate budget for materials.
- A budget for personal access costs is available.
We have access to workshop spaces in Luton and Central Beds for those needing a space to realise their designs. We will discuss this with individual artists.
How to apply: To express your interest, please email kelly@fullhouse.org.uk with a brief introduction, confirmation of your ability to work to the above dates and attachments/links to relevant. You’re welcome to submit this in a way that suits you, (for example a short video or audio introduction). You can also share links to professional social media pages.
work experience:
We will accommodate work experience placements where possible. To find out more, please email: info@fullhouse.org.uk
