Key Points
- Barnet Council seeks an artist or designer for a new large-scale, visually striking multimedia installation themed ‘Light & Flight’, with a submission deadline of 5 January 2026.
- The winning team will deliver a participatory or interactive artwork embodying the theme literally and metaphorically, co-created with a £90,000 budget.
- The installation forms part of a borough-wide touring programme covering at least eight neighbourhoods in Barnet, including Colindale, Edgware, and Finchley.
- The 12-month project runs from January 2026 to January 2027, concluding with a ‘Hero Festival’ in November 2026, drawing on Barnet’s aviation heritage, migration stories, and the symbolism of light across faiths and cultures.
- According to the project brief, the council aims to appoint a headline artist, design team, or creative collective with a national reputation and/or experience working with young people.
- Barnet, a diverse north London borough with around 390,000 residents, positions this as the centrepiece of its Cultural Impact Award programme to highlight where creativity, heritage, and community intersect.
- Bids evaluated on 70% quality, 20% social value, and 10% price; applicants must hold public liability insurance of at least £5 million.
- This follows a recent competition-winning overhaul of Barnet’s Copthall Pavilion by POoR Collective and GPAD, as reported in Architects’ Journal.
Barnet Council has launched an open call for a headline artist or creative collective to design and deliver a £90,000 ‘Light & Flight’ multimedia installation, set to tour eight north London neighbourhoods from January 2026, with bids due by 5 January 2026.
The commission, detailed in the council’s official brief, seeks a large-scale, visually striking, participatory or interactive artwork that embodies the themes of light and flight both literally and metaphorically. This 12-month project, running until January 2027, will culminate in a ‘Hero Festival’ in November 2026, celebrating Barnet’s aviation heritage alongside migration narratives and the cultural symbolism of light across diverse faiths. As outlined in the procurement documents, the installation aims to position Barnet as a hub where creativity, heritage, and community intersect, forming the centrepiece of the borough’s Cultural Impact Award programme.
What is the ‘Light & Flight’ Theme About?
The theme draws directly from Barnet’s rich history and diverse identity, intertwining aviation legacies with stories of migration and the universal symbolism of light. According to the brief, as reported across local arts coverage, the artwork must engage residents through participation or interactivity, reflecting these elements metaphorically—such as flight representing journeys or aspirations, and light symbolising hope, faith, or enlightenment. Barnet Council emphasises co-creation with local communities, particularly young people, to root the piece in the borough’s cultural fabric. This approach aligns with broader goals of delivering accessible, spectacular public art that resonates borough-wide.
Which Neighbourhoods Will Host the Installation?
The touring programme spans at least eight neighbourhoods across Barnet, explicitly naming Colindale, Edgware, and Finchley among others. As per the council’s specifications, the installation will travel to foster widespread engagement in this large, growing borough of approximately 390,000 residents, known for its diversity. The mobility ensures broad accessibility, tying into the migration and flight motifs by symbolically connecting disparate communities. Coverage highlights how this structure amplifies the project’s impact beyond a single site.
Who Can Apply for the Commission?
Barnet Council targets a headline artist, designer, or creative collective holding a national reputation, alongside proven experience working with young people. The brief stresses expertise in delivering large-scale, multimedia works that are participatory and visually striking. Applicants must demonstrate capacity for co-creation and community involvement, with public liability insurance of at least £5 million required. This follows the model of recent local successes, such as the Copthall Pavilion revamp—a competition-winning project by POoR Collective and GPAD, as detailed by architectsjournal.co.uk, which overhauled Barnet’s sports pavilion a year prior.
How Will Bids Be Evaluated?
Evaluation criteria prioritise quality at 70%, social value at 20%, and price at 10%, ensuring artistic excellence drives selection while valuing community benefits and cost-effectiveness. As stipulated in the procurement guidelines, submissions must address these weighted factors comprehensively. Social value likely encompasses inclusivity, youth engagement, and ties to Barnet’s heritage, reinforcing the project’s aims. Price, though lowest weighted, underscores fiscal responsibility for the £90,000 budget.
What is the Project Timeline and Budget?
The 12-month timeline commences in January 2026, aligning with the bid deadline of 5 January 2026, and extends to January 2027, peaking with the November 2026 Hero Festival. The full £90,000 commission covers design, fabrication, touring, and festival integration, as per the brief. This structured schedule allows for co-creation phases, touring logistics across eight sites, and a climactic public event. The budget reflects investment in a flagship cultural initiative amid Barnet’s growth.
Why is Barnet Launching This Cultural Initiative?
Barnet, with its population nearing 390,000 and increasing diversity, uses this commission to elevate its cultural profile. The Cultural Impact Award programme, of which this is the centrepiece, seeks to showcase the borough as a place where creativity meets heritage and community. Drawing on aviation history—linked to nearby RAF sites—and migration stories from its multicultural populace, the project fosters unity. Light’s symbolism across faiths further promotes inclusivity, addressing local demographics. As the brief states verbatim: ‘We are seeking to appoint a headline artist, design or creative collective with a national reputation and/or experience working with young people, to deliver a large-scale, visually striking, participatory and/or interactive multimedia artwork that embodies the Light & Flight themes both literally and metaphorically.’
How Does This Fit Barnet’s Recent Cultural Projects?
This launch comes a year after POoR Collective and GPAD’s triumph in revamping Copthall Pavilion, a story covered by Architects’ Journal. That project demonstrated Barnet’s appetite for innovative, competition-driven public architecture, setting a precedent for the Light & Flight call. Both initiatives highlight participatory design and community focus, building momentum for cultural regeneration. The council’s pattern suggests sustained investment in arts to enhance resident pride and tourism.
What Challenges Might Artists Face?
Prospective bidders must navigate strict criteria, including national stature, youth expertise, and insurance mandates, within a competitive £90,000 framework. Touring logistics across eight sites demand scalability and durability for interactive elements. Co-creation with diverse groups requires cultural sensitivity, especially on sensitive themes like migration. Evaluation’s quality emphasis pressures innovation, while social value scoring incentivises equity. Despite these, the brief positions it as an opportunity for bold, heritage-rooted work.
When and Where to Submit Bids?
Applications close on 5 January 2026, via Barnet Council’s procurement portal, as specified in the open call. Detailed briefs and forms are available on the council’s website, urging early preparation given the impending deadline. This timing allows selected teams to mobilise swiftly for January 2026 kickoff. Interested parties should review full requirements to align with quality, social value, and price metrics.
The Light & Flight commission underscores Barnet’s cultural ambitions, promising a landmark artwork to unite its neighbourhoods. By blending aviation heritage, migration tales, and luminous symbolism, it invites national talent to illuminate north London’s story. As bids roll in ahead of January 2026, the borough anticipates a transformative addition to its public realm.
