Public Art Commission Brief: Chantry Street, Andover
Public Art Commission Brief: Chantry Street, Andover
Commissioning Body
Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC)
Project Title
"Gateways to Andover" – A community led public art project for Chantry Street.
Project Context
This commission is a pilot project within a wider public art initiative led by Test Valley Borough Council to enhance the gateways and key routes into Andover town centre. The programme focuses on transforming underused or overlooked spaces—such as alleyways, underpasses, car parks, and pedestrian walkways—into vibrant, welcoming, and engaging environments. As identified in the Andover Town Centre Masterplan, improving public realm is essential to encouraging footfall and creating a more connected, accessible, and attractive town centre.
This commission also supports the ambitions of the Andover Vision, particularly:
- A thriving town centre – by contributing to a vibrant and culturally rich environment that encourages footfall.
- Being part of a connected community – by engaging and empowering young people, shining a spotlight on their voice to reflect local identity and foster community pride.
- A great, green environment – by enhancing the public realm and encouraging walking routes through creative placemaking.
The project aligns with the Vision’s emphasis on cultural sharing, community engagement, and telling Andover’s story through public art and creative interventions. It aims to activate Chantry Street as a memorable and inspiring gateway, reflecting the town’s unique character and bringing colour and life to voices from the town’s past, present and future.
Aims and Objectives
- Activate Chantry Street as a lively and engaging route to and from the town centre.
- Celebrate Andover’s identity through the lens of the Andover Place Brand.
- Create opportunities for mentoring, inspiration and skills development with local young people.
- Foster community pride in place and provide a public platform for youth voice in the town centre.
- Deliver one or more high-quality, durable, and site-responsive artworks that reflect the aspirations of the Masterplan and the Test Valley Public Art Strategy.
Site Description
Chantry Street provides one way vehicle access from the upper High Street to West Street and the A3057, and pedestrian linking the Chantry Centre, Leisure Centre and College.
The identified site on Chantry Street is a wall which backs onto the service yard of the Chantry Centre. The site is owned by TVBC and offers opportunities for wall-mounted artworks such as murals, either applied directly or onto temporary panels.
There is an existing piece of street art on this wall which is in a state of deterioration. The new commission would be to replace this piece.
Google maps location link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kJK69CjYNLp2o11k6
Whole site photo
East facing wall inset
Top section of wall
Commission Scope
Artists are invited to propose an approach to the project in which their role would be to work alongside young people from four partner organisations to co-design and create one or more murals for the site. The partner organisations are:
Outputs
The proposal must include:
- Engagement with young people from all four organisations, working alongside an experienced artist to co-design and create a public mural.
- A single collaborative artwork or series of artworks for the identified site.
- Consideration of the legacy of the artwork created, considering durability and permanence through the choice of materials and potential future iterations.
- A methodology to evaluate young people’s experience of engaging with the project.
Budget
This commission is funded through Section 106 contributions for public art, from and project managed by TVBC.
A total budget of £9,000 is available to cover the full commission and it should be noted that this includes:
- Artist time to co-ordinate and manage the project
- Travel and expenses
- Publicity materials
- Meetings with steering group, partners and relevant agencies
- Fabrication, transport and installation
- Budget contingency
- Planning application fees and other fees that may be required.
The chosen artist will be expected to provide a full maintenance manual on completion of installation with clear guidelines as to the best way to maintain the artwork and any specialist treatment/knowledge that is necessary. The artist should also indicate the anticipated life span of the work and any decommissioning procedures that should be applied.
An additional £900 (10%) not included in this budget, will be reserved for future maintenance.
Timeline
- Call for Artists Issued: Nov 2025
- Artist appointment and onboarding: Dec 2025
- Community Engagement and Co-Creation: January-March 2026
- Submit planning application: March 2026
- Fabrication and Installation: May 2026
- Evaluation submitted: June 2026
How To Apply
Please send your application by email to Rebecca Maddox, Cultural Events Curator rmaddox@testvalley.gov.uk
The deadline for applications is Monday 15 December 2025.
Interviews will be held in the week beginning 12 January 2026.
If you would like an informal conversation about the commission please contact Rebecca on 01264 368804.
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How To Apply Your application should include:
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Criteria You must demonstrate the following in your expression of interest:
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Weighting
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A proposal outlining your interest and approach to the commission and initial response to the brief. Max 2 A4 pages
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Project Approach Clear understanding of the challenges and detail of the project, the site and opportunity.
Clear approach to project management |
20% |
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A statement about how you would approach the community engagement requirements of the brief and what experience you bring in this context. Max 2 A4 pages
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Community Engagement An acknowledgement and understanding of the requirements of working with young people.
A description of the experience you want the young people to have through the process and how you will evaluate this.
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20% |
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A current CV including an artist’s statement. Please include 4 examples of previous relevant projects, including images.
Max 4 A4 pages
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Relevant Experience A track record of applicable commissions for the public realm and experience of delivering street art projects.
Evidence of the ability to produce high quality works of art applicable to this commission
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20% |
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Budget breakdown |
Budget A quote for delivery of this project, up to £9,000. Include a breakdown using the following headings:
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40% |
Interviews
If you are invited to interview, you will be allocated 15 minutes to make a presentation of your proposals and relevant experience. We would like to understand:
- How you will fully engage young people in the process.
- How you will ensure relevance to place through your proposals
- How you will break down the budget to make best use of the funds available
- What considerations you have given to ongoing maintenance.
Artist’s Roles & Responsibilities
The chosen artist will be responsible for:
- Delivery of a suitable process of community engagement and co-creation which empowers and engages the target community.
- Conducting a project evaluation to record the experiences and impact for young people involved.
- Supplying the relevant information and drawings required for any appropriate planning permissions in partnership with TVBC.
- Effectively managing the available budget.
- Attending regular meetings with the Arts Officer to provide updates for TVBC officers and Councillors on progress, timescales and budget
- Providing a full maintenance and/or legacy plan and instructions
- Supplying information required for press releases and promotion
The artist will hold and provide evidence of relevant public liability insurance (£10 million) and take responsibility for any third party suppliers.
Equal Opportunities
Test Valley Borough Council is committed to providing and promoting equal opportunities in employment and service provision, eliminating discrimination, and encouraging diversity amongst the workforce.
Linked Documents
- TVBC Public Art Strategy http://www.testvalley.gov.uk/resident/communityandleisure/artsandculture/publicart/public-art-strategy/
- Andover Masterplan Andover masterplan — ANDOVER TOWN CENTRE
- Andover Place Brand Place Brand — ANDOVER TOWN CENTRE
- Andover Vision Ambitions Home | andovervision
- Equal Opportunities Policy
http://www.testvalley.gov.uk/aboutyourcouncil/corporatedirection/equality---diversity/equalities/