CALL FOR ARTISTS

Commission for sculptural benches in new pocket park.

Surrey County Council’s Placemaking Team are transforming a small area in Tongham into a community pocket park. This roadside space will have new pathways, native planting and improve the local journeys between a residential area and Tongham village. As part of this scheme, Surrey Hills Arts would like to commission an artist to create three sculptural benches that attract and provide a shelter for a suitable species. The bench must also bear some reference to the local history. 

Sustainable or recycled materials must be used. The starting point for the design is the local wildlife. As in our previous HABITAT projects, this would require research into a chosen species and to build a habitable element into the design.  

Fee: £20-26,000 inclusive of materials, meetings and travel.

How to Apply:

Artists/craftspeople must send the following on one pdf document to surreyhillsarts@surreycc.gov.uk :

1. Current CV with two references and website link
2. Up to six images of relevant work 
3. Expression of interest including initial ideas, ways of working, a draft budget breakdown and availability to deliver within the project timelines. 

Deadline for submissions:    15^th October 2025.

Interviews: 28^th or 29^th October 2025.

Surrey Hills Arts and Surrey County Council are committed to ensuring equality. We consider diversity a strength and are keen to make the artists we work with more representative of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or minority ethnic, young, disabled, LGBTQI+, working class, or living or working in areas of socioeconomic deprivation in our region