Commission
Living Labyrinths: Art and Fungi - Commission Opportunity
Open call for artists to apply to make new work for the exhibition Living Labyrinths: Art and Fungi
This is an opportunity for two separate contemporary artists or collectives to create new work inspired by the diverse and fascinating world of fungi. RAMM is seeking two artists based or working in the south west1 to produce regional-specific work. We are looking for artists working in any medium except photography and moving image, such as drawing and painting, sculpture or textile. Artists should have a track record of exhibiting nationally.
The commissioned works will feature in the exhibition Living Labyrinths which will explore themes such as symbiosis, biodiversity, environmental sustainability, and the role of fungi in shaping our world. RAMM’s natural science and fine art collections, including specimens, slides, scientific illustrations and nineteenth-century paintings will also be on display in the exhibition. The selection panel is looking for artwork that breaks down traditional boundaries between disciplines and engages with complex scientific concepts through a lens of critically engaged, contemporary art. During the process of creating new work, you will have the opportunity to visit RAMM’s stores, be inspired by the museum’s collections and work with its curators. Artists will also have the opportunity to visit Woodland Trust Woodland/s in Devon with their specialists.
As part of RAMM’s programme of contemporary art exhibitions and commissions, these commissions will form part of the Living Labyrinths: Art and Fungi exhibition at RAMM from 3 October 2026 to 21 Feb 2027. Please consider how you might present your work for display and be mindful that the production and presentation budget for this commission is limited to a maximum of £2,500.
RAMM is offering £6,000 for the commission fee in addition to the production budget. A fee of £300 will also be paid to each of three shortlisted artists to produce and present a proposal for the selection panel.
Application process:
- Put together a maximum two-page expression of interest including an artist statement explaining why you are interested in this opportunity
- Compile a portfolio of previous work with relevant links – include handles to social media pages. Please ensure your portfolio is shared as a PDF document and is no more than 5MB in size
- Submit the expression of interest and portfolio by email to lara.goodband@exeter.gov.uk no later than noon on 28 April 2025
The commissioned works will feature in the exhibition Living Labyrinths which will explore themes such as symbiosis, biodiversity, environmental sustainability, and the role of fungi in shaping our world. RAMM’s natural science and fine art collections, including specimens, slides, scientific illustrations and nineteenth-century paintings will also be on display in the exhibition. The selection panel is looking for artwork that breaks down traditional boundaries between disciplines and engages with complex scientific concepts through a lens of critically engaged, contemporary art. During the process of creating new work, you will have the opportunity to visit RAMM’s stores, be inspired by the museum’s collections and work with its curators. Artists will also have the opportunity to visit Woodland Trust Woodland/s in Devon with their specialists.
As part of RAMM’s programme of contemporary art exhibitions and commissions, these commissions will form part of the Living Labyrinths: Art and Fungi exhibition at RAMM from 3 October 2026 to 21 Feb 2027. Please consider how you might present your work for display and be mindful that the production and presentation budget for this commission is limited to a maximum of £2,500.
RAMM is offering £6,000 for the commission fee in addition to the production budget. A fee of £300 will also be paid to each of three shortlisted artists to produce and present a proposal for the selection panel.
Application process:
- Put together a maximum two-page expression of interest including an artist statement explaining why you are interested in this opportunity
- Compile a portfolio of previous work with relevant links – include handles to social media pages. Please ensure your portfolio is shared as a PDF document and is no more than 5MB in size
- Submit the expression of interest and portfolio by email to lara.goodband@exeter.gov.uk no later than noon on 28 April 2025
