Chelmsford’s leading street art event, Concrete Canvas, returns in May 2024 for its third year. Once again, blank canvases across the city centre will be transformed into beautiful pieces of art that not only enhance but also bring a new lease of life to urban areas.

Would you like to be part of Concrete Canvas? We are currently looking for artists to help create this year’s artwork and are delighted to announce that Artist Applications are now open. If you are interested in being involved, please read below information and complete the short form to register your interest.

Our hope is that all artworks are inspired by Chelmsford, within the below categories:

🔭 Chelmsford Technology and Science
Artwork following this brief could be inspired by Chelmsford's past or present involvement with technology and science. Including but not limited to E2V, Crompton, Hoffman, Marconi etc.

🌳 Chelmsford Natural World
Artwork following this brief could be inspired by local wildlife, Marconi Wildlife Ponds and Nature Reserve or Chelmsford Parks.

🎭 Chelmsford Art and Music
Artwork following this brief could be inspired by artists and musicians past and present that hail from Chelmsford as well as the wider history of creativity and music in Chelmsford.

🎨 Local artists (Chelmsford or Essex)
If you have your own idea to work outside of the above briefs you can opt to provide a short explanation of the idea behind your design.

ARTWORK

• Present a quality work of art that responds to one of the briefs provided.

• If you are selected we will send you the details of your wall by Monday 26th February 2024 and will need to see a rough draft or mock-up of the work by Wednesday 20th March 2024 for approval.

• No artwork can be deemed to be linked with politics, racism, nudity, drugs, social unrest, violence or religion.

• No artwork can be deemed to directly advertise the business or property on which it is painted, or to advertise any club or group. You are encouraged to tag your work but this must not be the dominant feature of your artwork.
  

LOCATIONS AND DATES

• If selected as an artist you will paint a mural at a pre-designated location in Chelmsford between the dates Saturday 11th and Sunday 19th May 2024.

• Permanent Locations: concrete bollards, Openreach cabinets, CCTV bases and walls.

• Temporary Locations: 8ft x 8ft boards (to be painted at the street party on Saturday 18th May)

PAINT

• Bollard, Openreach and CCTV base artists are required to provide their own materials.

• All artists will have their location prepared for them.

• Once your design has been approved you will need to let us know what buff colour to prepare your location.

• We will advise what specific paint brand we are using (if any) and your can limit. You will need to send us a list of required cans by April 29th 2024.

• Spray paint, pre-buffed walls and lift hire (if required) are provided by us.
  

HQ

• Artists are welcome to sell merchandise in the event Head Quarters. This could include canvases, prints, t-shirts, badges etc. The artwork on your merch must still adhere to the regulations regarding artwork set out above.

• If you opt to sell merchandise we will be in touch to discuss. The festival requests a 20% commission from each sold item, profits will be put towards future festivals.
  

IMAGE RIGHTS

• Each artist accepts, through their participation in Concrete Canvas that photos and video of them and their work are taken during the event. Through your participation, you give your permission to re-use and publish pictures and video from this event. (Including internet sharing, event publications, flyers, promotional material, etc.) Artwork Image rights are retained and 100% belong to the artist.

ARTIST FEE

• Our budget is small but it is very important to us that all artists get paid for their work. Your artist fee will be discussed with you individually.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY

• All artists will be given access to Chelmsford For You app which provides discount codes and deals for food, drink, parking and shopping in Chelmsford.

• Each artist will be contacted separately to discuss provision of travel and accommodation.