Norwich is already home to seven eye catching large-scale street murals and now the Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) is working on its latest urban art venture. 

Working in partnership with Norwich Market, 12 market stalls will be transformed into vibrant street art for residents, visitors and market vendors to enjoy.

Voted as Britain’s Best Large Outdoor Market 2019 (National Association of British Market Authorities), Norwich Market is packed full of history and stories making it a must-see destination in the city centre. To celebrate this fantastic achievement, Norwich BID are looking for six local artists to commission a series of 12 murals that highlight the past, present and future of the market.

This collaborative project will engage with local schools and community groups, such as The Free School Norwich and OPEN Norwich Youth Trust, to help create designs for six of the 12 available mural sites. Chosen artists for this project must be willing to work directly with these groups to produce the murals.

As one of the largest and oldest open-air markets in the country, the Norwich Market murals are to be executed in a distinctive way, each unique to its surrounding and celebrating the city’s rich heritage and culture. Norwich BID are looking for artists who can creatively interpret the cities status as the City of Stories whilst focusing on Norwich: Past, Present and Future, to bring stories of the city and the market to life.

By using market shutters, it is hoped artists will create a glimpse into the past, present and future of Norwich – be it fact or fiction. The closed shutters will look as though a doorway is opened up to a different time, allowing visitors to view an alternative side and interpretation of Norwich.  Immersive and interactive, the murals will bring an energy and sense of discovery to Norwich’s iconic market.

The 12 market sites are the perfect canvas for any street artist and will add a new attraction to the already buzzing and vibrant Norwich market.

The winning artists will each receive a commission of £1,000 to design their Norwich Market mural. This prize pot must cover the costs of any materials the artist wishes to use (excluding canvas which is supplied by Norwich BID and Norwich Market). For full terms and conditions please visit the Norwich BID website www.norwichbid.co.uk/market-murals.

Stefan Gurney, Executive Director at the BID said, “Following the success of our other urban art projects this is a fantastic opportunity for local and national artists, as well as talented university students, to showcase their work and skills. We look forward to seeing the range of applications during the coming weeks. We want Norwich’s urban art to be executed in a distinctive way, with each piece unique to Norwich interpreting the city’s history, surroundings, and vision for the years ahead. Norwich’s story telling heritage isn’t just told in words, its stories are told through its architecture, culture and art.”

Matthew Packer, Portfolio holder with responsibility for Norwich Market, said “We are so pleased to be working with the Norwich BID on this exciting new project for Norwich. The market is in a fantastic central location and a perfect place to showcase local creative talent plus many of the closed shutters will be brightened up in the process. We are really looking forward to seeing what the artist’s produce and are excited about the new art trail around the market that this will create for its visitors.”

For further details about this exciting opportunity please contact Aidan Lewis, Projects Officer, Norwich BID,  [email protected] or call 01603 559570.

Entry Details

Entries for submissions close on 27 August 2019

Visit www.norwichbid.co.uk/market-murals for more details and a submission pack.

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