Public Art Opportunity – Invitation for proposals


We are inviting proposals for an exciting new opportunity to site a public art installation at Summerhall, celebrating 75 years of Edinburgh Festivals.

The art installation will be permanently exhibited in our Courtyard which is one of the key social spaces during the festival, attracting an audience in excess of 70,000 people in August alone.

This new wall installation will help convey the energy, optimism and spirit of reconciliation which sparked the foundation of the world’s largest arts festival.

Proposals should seek to provide audiences with an opportunity to reflect on the spirit of the festival in a colourful way.

Artists , or a collective of artists will receive an artistic commission of £4,000 which will include artistic fees and materials.

Site of the wall installation

“The reconstruction of our courtyard reflects our recovery from the pandemic and celebrates the enduring spirit of Edinburgh’s diverse creative and social community. I am looking for bold, striking concepts that help to stimulate the wider regeneration of our public spaces.”

Sam Chapman, Head of Visual Arts

Key Dates

  • Closing Date: 25th June 2022 at 5pm
  • Panel Selection: 26th June
  • Decisions: 27th June
  • Commission Awarded: 28th June
  • Work starts: 29th June
  • Work completed: 30th July

What we are looking for?

We are interested in receiving proposals covering a wide range of media, ranging from murals and street art, to graphic design.

Your proposal should outline the approach you would take.

You should own the intellectual property of the works.

How to apply

Please send a copy of a proposal of no more than 3 sides of A4 with some examples of relevant work by 25th June 2022 to samantha@summerhall.co.uk

If you would like this information in bigger print or need help with your proposal, let us know.

To download the full Information Pack, please click here.

“The ethos of Summerhall is to keep faith with the founding principle of the Edinburgh International Festival, to heal wounds of war through the language of the arts.”

Robert McDowell, Founder