Public Art
The Public Art Programme of the Arts Council of the Velocity Interoperability Network commissions new permanent and temporary works for the public places of Network sites, keeps the register of public art and cares for the works in it. From 6 September 2026 the Council is responsible for all public art at Network sites, including works commissioned by member organisations before its establishment.
Nine commissions in progress at six sites were transferred to the Council on establishment, with a combined contract value of 2,640,000 credits. The Council has adopted every commission on its existing terms. One work is complete, two temporary works open in October 2026 and six permanent works are due for completion between November 2026 and April 2027.
- 9
- Commissions transferred to the Council on establishment
- 6
- Network sites with a commissioned work in progress or complete
- 2,640,000
- Credits: combined contract value of the nine commissions
- 900,000
- Credits set aside in the first year for the care of public art
Commissioned works. The nine works below are those transferred to the Council on establishment. New commissions made through the Commissioning Fund will be added as they are awarded.
- Common Ground
- A paved artwork of terrazzo and inlaid brass across the central square at Central Exchange, tracing the routes that connect the sites of the Network. The first work to be completed under the programme and the first entry in the register of public art.
- Central Exchange · permanent · completed August 2026
- Tidal Register
- A line of light along the river wall at Southbank Terminal, rising and falling with the recorded height of the tide and marking the highest and lowest levels of the past year.
- Southbank Terminal · permanent · completion November 2026
- Waiting Room
- A composed sound work for the main concourse at Southbank Terminal, built from recordings made at the terminal over a year and played through the concourse's own speakers between announcements.
- Southbank Terminal · temporary, twelve weeks from 12 October 2026
- Cargo
- A sequence of painted facades on twelve shipping containers stacked along the approach road to Westbrook Distribution Site, repainted by a different artist each season.
- Westbrook Distribution Site · temporary, from 19 October 2026 to September 2027
- Orchard Wall
- A glazed ceramic mural, forty metres long, on the retaining wall of the lower campus at Eastfield, depicting the orchard that stood on the site before it was built.
- Eastfield Campus · permanent · completion December 2026
- Relay
- A cast bronze group of five figures passing a single object hand to hand, for the forecourt of Northgate Relay.
- Northgate Relay · permanent · installation January 2027
- Ledger
- Fourteen granite benches for the eastern arcade at Central Exchange, each engraved with a page from the accounts of the site's first year of operation.
- Central Exchange · permanent · completion February 2027
- Meridian
- A suspended kinetic work of stainless steel blades and cable for the atrium of Meridian Court, turning slowly with the movement of air through the building.
- Meridian Court · permanent · completion March 2027
- Signal
- A mast-mounted light work at the summit of Northgate Relay, visible from the surrounding sites and changing colour with the volume of traffic passing through the relay.
- Northgate Relay · permanent · completion April 2027
The register of public art. The register records every work commissioned by the Council or transferred to it, with its site, type, status and expected completion. It is updated as works pass from design to fabrication and installation.
| Work | Site | Type | Term | Status | Completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Ground | Central Exchange | Paving | Permanent | Complete | August 2026 |
| Tidal Register | Southbank Terminal | Light installation | Permanent | In fabrication | November 2026 |
| Waiting Room | Southbank Terminal | Sound work | Temporary | In production | 12 October 2026 |
| Cargo | Westbrook Distribution Site | Painted structures | Temporary | In production | 19 October 2026 |
| Orchard Wall | Eastfield Campus | Ceramic mural | Permanent | In fabrication | December 2026 |
| Relay | Northgate Relay | Bronze sculpture | Permanent | In fabrication | January 2027 |
| Ledger | Central Exchange | Engraved stone | Permanent | In fabrication | February 2027 |
| Meridian | Meridian Court | Kinetic sculpture | Permanent | In design | March 2027 |
| Signal | Northgate Relay | Light work | Permanent | In design | April 2027 |
How commissions are made. New commissions follow the seven stages below. The procedure applies to every work funded through the Commissioning Fund, whose first round opens on 21 September 2026 and is described on the Funding Programmes page.
Step 1: A site is nominated
A member organisation writes to the Council nominating a public place at a Network site for a new work, describing the place, its use and any constraints. The Council's Public Art Committee visits the site and decides whether to proceed.
Step 2: A brief is agreed
The Council and the member organisation agree a written brief setting out the purpose of the work, the site, the budget, the timetable and the arrangements for maintenance. The brief is published on this site.
Step 3: Artists are invited to apply
The brief is advertised through the Commissioning Fund. Any artist eligible under the Council's funding rules may apply, jointly with the host organisation, by submitting an expression of interest and examples of previous work.
Step 4: A shortlist is drawn up
The Public Art Committee, with an independent artist and a representative of the host organisation, shortlists between three and five artists. Each receives a fee to develop a proposal, and the proposals are exhibited at the site for public comment.
Step 5: A commission is awarded
The Committee recommends a proposal against the brief and the comments received, and the Council awards the commission. The Council enters into a commissioning agreement with the artist, and the work is entered in the register of public art as a commission in design.
Step 6: The work is made and installed
The artist develops, fabricates and installs the work under the supervision of the Council's public art officer, with payments made at the stages set out in the agreement. On installation the register records the work as complete.
Step 7: The work is maintained
The Council inspects every registered work annually and carries out cleaning, repair and conservation from its maintenance budget. Temporary works are removed at the end of their term and the site is restored.
Care of public art. The Council has set aside 900,000 credits in its first year for the maintenance, conservation and insurance of registered works. Damage to a work at any Network site should be reported to the Council by email, giving the name of the work and a description of the damage. Member organisations remain responsible for the safety of the places in which works stand.
Nominations of sites, and enquiries about any work in the register, may be sent to contact@arts.gov.vin. For the support available to artists working on commissions, including residencies and studios, see Support for Artists.