Open Call: City Alleyways - Backlit Mural, Hive Curates

Hive Curates is excited to announce a new series of commissions in collaboration with Eastern City BID. These works will form part of an ambitious art and lighting strategy for Eastern City's historic alleyways, and we invite artists to submit Expressions of Interest to deliver one or more of the 4 commissions.

The project focuses on four key historic alleyways, creating a cohesive trail of light-based artworks that should provoke curiosity, encourage discovery and celebrate the area's architectural and cultural heritage, transforming the alleyways into an atmospheric and safer network of illuminated public spaces. Through artist led interventions, the trail will highlight the character, stories and textures embedded in Eastern City's built environment, offering residents, workers and visitors a fresh way to experience the area.

Artists working with light, projection, pattern, typography or site responsive visual storytelling are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest for consideration to one or multiple commissions.

Bengal Court is celebrated as one of the narrowest pedestrian passageways in the capital, running just off Birchin Lane. At Bengal Court there are six recessed architectural arched false openings: three on each side. We're looking to commission an artist to work alongside an appointed fabricator to design a mural which will be produced across back-lit panels and mounted to the wall. Applicants are encouraged to respond to the project's themes of heritage, women's night-time safety and gateways.
Submissions should include a proposal of approach.

Clarification questions deadline: 14th August 2026
Application deadline: 21st August 2026 (at midday)

Artist Fee: £4,000 (plus VAT if applicable)
The fee must include 1 community engagement session. Full production support will be provided and the artist is only intended to provide a digital design as the final output.

Installation dates: October/November 26