Open Wave: Signs of Story

Interactive Installation for Leicester Cathedral

Application Deadline: Monday 5 October, 9:00am

Project Timeline: October 2026 – February 2027

Exhibited: January – February 2027

Commission opportunity

Leicester Cathedral has been awarded funding from Arts Council England to deliver an innovative deaf-led arts project celebrating British Sign Language (BSL), deaf identity, and the experiences of deaf and disabled communities. The project will celebrate the rich history, creativity and cultural significance of BSL. At the heart of the project is the story of a historic wedding at Leicester Cathedral, the first held in England with sign language 450 years ago.

As part of this project, we are hosting an ‘Open Wave’ for D/deaf artist(s) to create a new commission entitled Signs of Story, which will be co-created with members of the D/deaf community.

The commission should explore how stories, cultures and identities are passed between generations and respond to the historic exclusion of deaf people from cultural and heritage spaces.

The work will be exhibited at Leicester Cathedral from January to February 2027 before touring to locations across the Midlands.

Artist fee

£7,500 inc. VAT covering artist time and materials

£1200 artist fee for community engagement

£800 to cover the cost of community engagement workshops

There are separate budgets for production, creating a touring package and access requirements including BSL interpretation.

Other things to consider

Elements of work could be suspended from the ceiling at Leicester Cathedral.

Photos of the installation spaces available and past installations are available below.

The floor plan can be found on the Architect’s Journal.

There is an opportunity for the commissioned work to tour to other buildings following the exhibition. Artists may wish to consider portability in their design.

Image Gallery – Leicester Cathedral

Image gallery – Past Installations

Who can apply?

This Open Wave is open to anyone who identifies as D/deaf, whether they are a BSL user or not. Non-BSL users could partner with another artist who uses BSL, but this is not a requirement. BSL must form part of the commission.

Individual artists, duos or collectives may apply. Please note the artist fee is fixed.

We are open to artworks of any medium and scale.

Selection process

Applications will be reviewed by Leicester Cathedral’s Head of Visitor Experience, colleagues at Art Reach and at least 1 D/deaf creative.

Key dates:

• Applications close – Monday 5 October at 9:00am
• Shortlisted artists will be contacted in the w/c Monday 5 October
• Interviews will take place in the w/c Monday 12 October
• Interview can be in-person or online and BSL interpretation will be provided if needed
• The selected artist will be notified in the w/c Monday 19 October

Selection considerations:

• Ability of the concept to connect with D/deaf and hearing communities and allow people of any ability to engage with it
• Artistic quality and clarity of proposal
• Strength of response to the theme
• Potential to offer meaningful experiences
• Suitability for mixed age audiences
• Feasibility within the budget, space and timeframe
• We are open to artworks of any medium and scale

How to apply

Video – please submit the following:

• A video explaining your project idea
• Any sketches and mock-ups
• CV and examples of previous work
• Budget breakdown (how you would use the £7,500 artist fee)
• Use WeTransfer, Google Drive or similar for video files over 20mb

Written – please submit the following:

• Cover letter of no more than 2 pages detailing your project idea
• Any sketches and mock-ups
• CV and examples of previous work
• Budget breakdown (how you would use the £7,500 artist fee)

Please send applications to Elaine Doherty, Head of Programme and Engagement on hello@artreach.org.uk

If you need support or want to discuss your access requirements, please contact Amelia, Projects and Events Assistant, on amelia@artreach.org.uk or by calling 0116 261 6882. We use Relay UK, please feel free to contact us there, or email us to arrange a time for us to call you.

Support available

There is separate funding available to cover any access requirements including a BSL interpreter.

For access queries, contact Amelia on amelia@artreach.org.uk

For queries about the commission or brief, contact Elaine on hello@artreach.org.uk

We look forward to seeing your applications!