Spike Island Open Call 2028: South West-Based Artist Commission

Spike Island is pleased to invite applications from artists based in the South West of England to develop a major new commission to be presented in our galleries in summer 2028.

This is an exciting opportunity for an artist to realise ambitious new work(s) that they might not otherwise have the resources or opportunity to make. The successful artist will work closely with Spike Island’s curatorial and technical teams to develop, produce and present the commission.

We welcome proposals from artists working in any medium and at any stage of their career.

The opportunity

The commission will be presented in Spike Island’s galleries as part of our summer 2028 exhibitions programme.

The successful applicant will receive:

• An artist fee of £4,000

• Production budget of £8,500 (exclusive of VAT) to produce and fabricate the new work(s). This budget is intended for materials, fabrication and other direct production costs required to realise the new work(s).

• Spike Island will separately cover exhibition-related costs outside the production budget, including installation, transport, insurance, travel and accommodation, per diems, documentation and deinstallation, within the limits of the budget available

• Curatorial and technical support from Spike Island’s team throughout the development, production and presentation of the commission

• Where appropriate, access to Spike Island’s residency studio (for artists who do not have a studio at Spike Island) and/or edit suite for research or production

• Promotion through Spike Island’s website and social media channels before and during the exhibition

Who can apply?

This opportunity is open to artists who live and have their primary studio practice in the South West of England. For the purposes of this opportunity, we are using the Arts Council’s area designations, which are outlined here.

We welcome applications from artists from all backgrounds and working in any medium, including painting, sculpture, moving image, photography, drawing, performance and installation.

Artists at any stage of their careers are eligible to apply. However, we are not able to accept applications from artists who are currently undertaking an undergraduate course.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as D/deaf, disabled or neurodivergent, come from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds and/or experience racism. Spike Island is committed to anti-racism and to addressing inequality in the arts sector.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for a strong and ambitious proposal for new work(s) created specifically for Spike Island’s galleries, to be presented as part of our summer 2028 exhibitions programme.

Proposals should reflect the ethos of Spike Island’s programme, which is underpinned by a belief in the power of art to provoke new thinking, spark curiosity and inspire a more equitable and generous worldview.

We invite you to consider how your project connects with Spike Island’s values of:

• Boldness

• Openness

• Ingenuity

• Connection