Legacy Programme 2026 - Creative Open Call
Birmingham Light Festival 2026 Legacy Light Artwork in Edgbaston Village: Creative Brief
Background
We are currently working on the next edition of Birmingham Light Festival.
After a successful first year, we are also looking to continue our Legacy Programme. Our ambition is to progressively illuminate the city at night, all-year-round. To achieve this, each year we are aiming to commission a minimum of one permanent light installation.
In 2025 we commissioned three permanent artworks – all of which can be seen here.
We have just completed an Open Call to choose our Legacy Partner and location. For 2026 this is Edgbaston Village.
The continuation of the Legacy Programme has been made possible with thanks to the support of Birmingham City Council, using funds from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
We are now excited to be supporting them with an Open Call for artists to produce the creative concept for a new piece of permanent light art for Greenfield Crescent.
What Next?
We are looking for an artist to set the creative and visual direction for this project by designing a new permanent light artwork. Once appointed, this artist will work collaboratively with our manufacturing partner to refine and deliver a final achievable design.
We’re seeking a Birmingham based creative who:
Can demonstrate strong creative vision
Has an interest in light and a passion for light art and placemaking
Is a team player with experience of working collaboratively
Is flexible and able to work to the tight timelines outlined below
The Artwork
We will be looking for artists to respond to one (or more) of the following themes:
Birmingham - its people, stories and identity
The natural world - light, landscape and the changing seasons
Edgbaston’s heritage - its history, architecture and sense of community
An additional source of inspiration artists may want to expand further is the street name, Greenfield Crescent. One idea we’ve discussed is the connection to the moon, its light, cycles and sense of shared experience (connected to the phrase ‘we’re all under the same moon’) that could offer a poetic link between Edgbaston Village and the diverse communities that make up the wider city of Birmingham.
This is just one possible thread of inspiration and we encourage artists to interpret the brief in their own way. Whether your approach is abstract, symbolic or narrative, we’re looking for ideas that resonate with the spirit of Edgbaston Village and spark curiosity and connection.
Artists should also consider how people can capture their work in their own content, at all times of the day, and how their work could serve as a photo opportunity that invites people to share their experience.
The artwork must be sympathetic to the environment it is presented in, the picturesque Edgbaston Village.
Finally, sustainability is one of our key pillars, so we are looking for consideration to the environment at every stage.
The Space
For context, the successful creative will be designing an artwork for the space pictured below. Specifically a wall mounted piece taking in as much of the empty wall space as possible below. You can see the light power source near the CCTV unit.
Light must be at the heart of the concept but light does not need to be the only element of the piece. For example you may propose a metal architectural element to the piece, back lit with light to create a glow.
Or, you may propose a smaller light artwork in neon that is set against a painted mural. Perhaps you might explore shadow or solar interventions.
We are very open to different approaches, these are just two ideas to set the scene of a wide scope.
Technical Insight
We will walk successful applicants through the brief in more detail, including the budget that the manufacturing company will be working to. The artwork should be ambitious but also realistic to deliver in terms of timeline and budget. The below should give you a sense of the parameters.
For the artwork canvas, we’ll be asking you to keep it no wider than five metres and no taller than three metres. It should also be mounted at least two and a half metres off the ground. When it comes to the lighting, only low-power options should be used, and the electrical connection should not draw more than one and a half kilowatts, trying to use as few fixings as possible to attach the canvas to the wall.
Our Process
Step 1: Portfolio submission. We are now welcoming portfolio submissions from Birmingham creatives who meet the above specification. You do not need to be an experienced light art designer to be part of this Open Call nor do you need to submit concept ideas at this stage. We will shortlist a number of portfolios and those artists will be invited to interview.
Step 2: Following those interviews, we will select up to three creatives to develop concept designs in whichever medium they feel comfortable. By that we mean - these could be anything from hand drawn sketches to digital designs. Each creative will receive a £500 bursary.
Through this process we need to clearly see your vision for what the artwork will look like, consideration should be given to materials you imagine being used to help us visualise the piece.
Step 3: We will then review those submissions and choose one creative to deliver the final project with our manufacturing partner. This artist will receive a £3,000 +VAT commission fee.
Step 4: The selected artist will then work with our manufacturing partner to develop final designs and technical drawings for sign off. The manufacturing partner will deliver these drawings with creative input from the artist. As a result you do not need to have experience in creating technical drawings or visual renders to be selected. However, you will need to be able and willing to take a collaborative approach. You will need to work closely with our manufacturing partner to develop your idea into something that can be delivered in time and budget.
Want to be part of it?
Applicants should provide:
A portfolio showing relevant creative work
A brief written statement (maximum 500 words) outlining your approach, any relevant experience, your interest in the project and particularly in light, and how you would approach working collaboratively with our manufacturing partner. Please read our key pillars before submitting your statement as we are committed to working with creatives who share our vision and commitment to those.
Applications should be sent to: Alex Nicholson-Evans, City Curator:
alex.nicholson-evans@colmorebid.co.uk
Timeline
PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY AND ONLY APPLY IF YOU ARE AVAILABLE ON THESE DATES AND ABLE TO MEET THESE DEADLINES
Creative Open Call begins: 29 October
Creative Open Call closes: 4 November
Shortlisting: 5 November
Interview: 6 November
Up to 3 shortlisted artists appointed for concept work: 7 November
Deadline for final concepts from shortlisted artists: 24 November
Presentation of final concepts: 26 November
Final artist selected: 27 November
Intensive development of final designs with manufacturing partner: 28 Nov - 4 Dec
Final design sign off: 5 December
This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
