A. INTRODUCTION
Wakefield district has a rich cultural landscape with visuals arts and sculpture being a particular strength. As well as being the birthplace of Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth, it is the home of the internationally renowned Yorkshire Sculpture Park and The Hepworth Wakefield, as well as a diverse range of organisations including the Art House, Neon Workshops, Production Park and a breadth of locally based artists with growing national and international reputations. But the district also has a rich heritage across its many market towns and villages, with diverse communities and histories including coal mining, glass making, textiles,
confectionary, ship building, and of course, rhubarb and liquorice. We are even home to the world’s first nature reserve!
B. COMMISSION BRIEF
This commission invites artists and creative companies to propose temporary public realm light artworks for inclusion in Wakefield Light Up 2025, taking place from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd November 2025. We welcome proposals for both outdoor and indoor artworks.
We are open to a variety of creative approaches, including:
- Existing or touring works that can be integrated into Wakefield Light Up 2025
- Works in development (R&D stage) that are seeking a platform for a premiere
- Newly commissioned, site-specific pieces, particularly those designed with Wakefield in mind
Local Inspiration
We are open to a wide range of artistic themes and concepts, but proposals that reflect the district’s unique identity will be particularly valued. Artists looking for thematic inspiration may consider elements of Wakefield’s rich heritage and cultural identity, such as:
- The district’s history of rhubarb and liquorice growing
- Significant historic events like the Battle of Wakefield and the Wars of the Roses
- Wakefield’s industrial past, including textiles, coal mining, boat and glass making
- The area’s environmental legacy, particularly through Charles Waterton, who created the world’s first nature reserve
- Wakefield’s notable contributions to the arts, especially sculpture, through Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore
Selection Criteria
Commissions will be selected based on:
- Artistic quality and originality of the concept
- Cost-effectiveness and feasibility within the project scope
- A clear understanding of the technical and logistical requirements for successful delivery
Support for Local Talent
As part of our commitment to developing the local creative economy, we strongly encourage proposals that include opportunities to work with emerging Wakefield-based artists. This could include:
- Mentoring schemes
- Collaborative creative processes/community engagement
- Public workshops or skills-sharing activities
C. WAKEFIELD LIGHT UP
Wakefield Light Up 2025 will transform Wakefield City Centre into a vibrant, illuminated spectacle from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd November. The festivities will launch with the much-anticipated Christmas Light Switch-On on the evening of Friday 21st November, kicking off a weekend of creativity and celebration.
Visitors will be invited to follow a trail of immersive light and sound installations, designed to animate the city streets and public spaces. In previous years, the event has featured spectacular light displays, projections, and large-scale commissions that have brought drama and energy to the city centre—attracting thousands of visitors and boosting the local evening economy.
Past highlights have included Timekeepers by Illuminos, which earned a double-page feature in The Guardian in 2024; STILL by Studio Novak at Wakefield Cathedral; and Fire & Ice by Ithaca at the former market hall. In November 2022, we proudly presented Futures by Lucid Creates.
Looking ahead, we are exploring ways to expand and evolve the Light Up programme to celebrate the wider district and inspire deeper community engagement. Our ambition is to provide a creative platform—commissioning bold new works while also welcoming high-quality existing and touring pieces—to ensure Wakefield Light Up continues to captivate audiences andchampion cultural participation.
D. APPLICATION PROCESS AND TIMELINE
Deadline for Submissions
All proposals must be submitted by 12:00 noon on Thursday 5 June 2025.
Please complete the form in Annex 1 at the end of the document. Completed forms, along with any supporting materials, should be sent via email to Karla Briggs: karlabriggs@wakefield.gov.uk
Review & Award
All submitted proposals will be reviewed following the deadline. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their submission by 12:00 noon on Thursday 26 June 2025.
Site Visits
If you would like to arrange a site visit, please contact Karla Briggs at karlabriggs@wakefield.gov.uk to schedule a visit. Site visits will be available on Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th May 2025.
You are welcome to visit Wakefield city centre independently for inspiration. However, if you would prefer a more formal site visit, just let us know—we’ll be happy to assist.
E. FAQ’s
Q: Do you have a preference for indoor or outdoor pieces?
A: We are open to proposals for both indoor and outdoor works. The location will depend on the nature of the piece, its technical requirements, and its ability to engage audiences effectively within the context of Wakefield Light Up 2025.
Q: Do I need to provide details of potential mentoring or workshop activities as part of my submission?
A: No, we are interested in potential opportunities to incorporate these and so would love to hear if you believe this is something you could offer, but it is not a specific requirement for all submissions.
Q: Is there a budget?
A: We are looking to select several artists as part of this call out and have an overall budget for the event. All submissions will be selected on artistic quality and cost-effectiveness; however we will also consider how different artworks will work together as part of the wider curation. As such we do not have a set budget for individual artworks at this stage.