The Commission We are seeking a talented artist (or collective) to design and create a striking mural that: Boundary Wall Information The mural will be located on a new boundary wall between the MDC site and the Rochdale Canal. Audience The wall is visible from the public domain. The main audience will be the general public using the canal path and canal and the mill buildings opposite the wall. Design Requirements The artwork should: Timescales The final design package must be ready by the end of February 2027 to enable the planning condition to be discharged prior to the building of the wall. Who can apply? We welcome applications from: Budget Concept Design Design Development Final Design Package Installation Approach Installation Developing the design of the wall, having consideration to the Job Description. Interested artists should submit: If you have any queries or would like further information please contact [email protected] Please email all submissions to [email protected] by 5pm on 9th October 2026. All submissions will need to be PDF format.Job Summary
Job Description
Depicts the history of the canal, mill buildings, and industrial heritage of the local area
Is suitable for all ages
Is timeless rather than trend-driven
Is appropriate for a diverse community and inclusive of all backgrounds
The wall for the mural is approximately 58 metres long and 3.6 metres high. The wall is expected to be a continuous concrete surface (with some joints). A plan of the wall can be provided upon request.
Read effectively from both short and long distances
Avoid copyrighted imagery
Avoid commercial branding
Avoid political, religious, or controversial content
Be suitable for all ages
Celebrate the history of the local area including the canal, mill buildings, and industrial heritage
It is anticipated that the installation will take place in September 2027, but this is subject to change.
Professional artists
Emerging artists with a strong portfolio
Artist collectives or collaborations
Artists with connections to Manchester or the North-West
Artists with a passion for the industrial heritage of Manchester
Circa £25,000Job Requirements
Develop 3 distinct concept options
Outline a narrative explaining each concept and how it relates to the design requirements
Colour palettes
Provide visualisations / sketches of how each concept would appear (a segment, not the entirety of the wall)
Present to a small client team and the Canals and Rivers Trust
Refine the preferred option
Incorporate client feedback
Participate in further meetings as required
Provide full visualisations of developed option
Present final design for client and Canals and Rivers Trust sign off
Final high-resolution art-work
Scaled elevations (to support discharge of relevant planning condition)
Colour and texture references
Anti-graffiti finish
Measures to mitigate the visual impact on waterway users
Recommendations regarding finishes or implantation
Methodology
Timescales
Equipment
Insurance
Approach to health and safetyJob Responsibilities
Engaging and collaborating with key stakeholders.
Providing the necessary visual and informative materials to enable the GPA to discharge the planning condition.
Installing the design at the appropriate time.How to Apply
• A short statement (no more than 300 words) outlining your interest in the project and relevant experience
• A portfolio of relevant work citing location, client, size as a minimum
• CV or artist biography
• Brief methodology outlining proposed design and installation approach along with timescales for each stage
• Approach to health and safety throughout the installation
• Fee proposal broken down into the work stages. Please state whether your fee attracts VAT and any exclusions.
• Confirmation of professional indemnity insurance of £1 million.
• At least one reference from a previous project with a named contact and contact details