St George’s Arts Centre, Gravesend
St. George’s Arts Centre invites artists to submit proposals for the creative upcycling of an existing armchair located within the Arts Centre. The selected artist will develop an original design for the chair, which will then be professionally upholstered using custom-made covers designed by the artist.
The completed chair will become a unique artistic feature within the Arts Centre, celebrating the identity, history, community, and cultural activity of St. George’s Arts Centre. The chair to be upcycled is shown in the image. Artists are welcome to contact the Arts Centre to arrange a time to view and take measurements.
Design Theme
Artists are encouraged to create a design that has a meaningful connection to St. George’s Arts Centre.
Possible sources of inspiration include:
The local community and people who use the Arts Centre
The surrounding landscape, buildings, landmarks of Gravesend
The history and heritage of Gravesend
The role of the Arts Centre as a cultural hub
Performance, Exhibitions, Workshops held in the Arts Centre
Artists are welcome to interpret these themes creatively and are encouraged to propose a concept that reflects what the Arts Centre represents to them.
Functionality
Please note that the completed chair will remain in use within St. George's Arts Centre and must therefore function as both an artistic and practical piece of furniture. Artists should ensure that their proposed design is suitable for regular public use. Materials, finishes, and upholstery should be durable, safe, and appropriate for a high-traffic public environment. While creativity and artistic expression are strongly encouraged, the comfort, usability, and longevity of the chair should also be carefully considered.
Proposals will be assessed on how successfully they balance artistic ambition with functionality and durability.
Budget: £2500
Artists should submit a breakdown of the budget covering all aspects of the project, including but not limited to:
Artist design and development time
All materials and production costs
Transportation and delivery costs
Movement of the chair to and from upholsterers or other workspaces
Professional upholstery services
Installation and finishing
No additional expenses will be paid beyond the agreed commission fee.
Chair Identification
The completed chair should include a small permanent plaque identifying:
Artist name
Title of the work (optional)
Year of completion
Submission Requirements
Applicants should provide:
A brief artist statement.
A visual proposal, sketch, mood board, or design concept.
A written explanation outlining:
The inspiration behind the design.
How the design connects to St. George’s Arts Centre, its community, landscape, history, or artistic programme.
A project budget showing the total inclusive commission fee.
Selection Criteria
Proposals will be assessed on:
Artistic quality and originality
Relevance and connection to St. George’s Arts Centre
Feasibility of project budgets and delivery
Durability and suitability for public display
The selected artist will work with St. George’s Arts Centre to agree project timeline and delivery arrangements.
We look forward to receiving imaginative and meaningful proposals that celebrate the spirit of St. George’s Arts Centre through this unique upcycling project.
Submission Deadline: Monday 27th July 2026
Submissions should be sent to: artsandculture@gravesham.gov.uk