The Burton at Bideford is inviting proposals from South West based artists, designers or architects to create a site specific water feature or installation for our public garden as part of our community-led landscape regeneration project ‘Connecting Roots and Future Hopes’.

The Connecting Roots and Future Hopes project aims to deliver a holistic approach to the landscape design around The Burton’s building, supporting biodiversity, climate change impacts, sustainability and community action.

Working with local organisations and volunteers, we will create a natural ecosystem that protects and promotes habitats, species and local ecosystems – leaving a landscape for future generations to enjoy.

The Water Feature Commission is funded as part of The Burton’s Arts Council England Capital Investment Fund project ‘A Sustainable Museum’, that has supported the installation of solar panels, double glazed windows, and the refurbishment of our public toilets with accessible and low energy design.

Open to individuals or collectives based in the South West, this commission offers an opportunity for a variety of creative approaches to raise awareness of the challenges facing the environment and their impact on local communities.

The commission should:

  • provide a site specific water feature or installation that looks to the aims of the overall landscape project.
  • respond to the natural environment and The Burton’s location within an area of outstanding natural beauty.
  • engage the public with the themes of climate change and sustainability.
  • create a piece of artwork that becomes part of The Burton’s continuing story.

Delivery: September 2026

Artist Fee: £5,000

Inclusive of all associated costs. To cover the research, design, production and installation of the commission.

Contract: The commissioned artist will be contracted on a freelance basis and is responsible for paying their own tax and national insurance where applicable.

Copyright: The copyright of the artwork will remain the property of the artist who will grant The Burton full use of photographic images in perpetuity without additional payment.

Apply:

For full details including site location and specification please download the full Open Call.

To apply for the Water Feature Commission please include:

1. A 1–2 page A4 statement or 5 minute audio/video recording to tell us about:

  • Your practice and experience to date.
  • Why this commission interests you.
  • Initial ideas for how you might approach the commission.

2. A pdf or word document of supporting materials to demonstrate the quality of your work. This might include a website link, photographs

(5 maximum), video clips, written material.

3. A completed equal opportunities monitoring form available here

Applications should be emailed to info@theburton.org must include the subject line ‘Commission 1: Water Feature Commission’.

The deadline for applications is 10am, Monday 6 July 2026.