Tean Mural Artist call-out

OUTSIDE is looking for an artist working in public art/mural art to work with two communities based in Tean (ST10) in the Staffordshire Moorlands on a community-centred, multigenerational mural project.

The Context

Wellspring Methodist Church (ST10) is made up of one group of trustees with responsibility for two buildings – one in Cheadle, and the other in Tean both in the South Staffordshire Moorlands. The trustees have been working together to open up both spaces as welcoming, warm spaces of community engagement.

Wellspring in Tean is situated on Gorsty Hill which is just off the main Cheadle-Tean-Uttoxeter Road. This church in Tean has recently had some renovation work completed in the spring and this has included a fresh coat of paint to one of the rooms in the building complex. This renovation work is aligned to the church’s renewed commitment to enhancing the site as a ‘warm space’ for the communities it serves in Tean and surrounding areas. Rev Julie Hassall is leading on this work, supported by a working group from the church. This space in Tean has been welcoming two community groups through its doors for the last 15 years: ‘Little Angels’ and ‘Knit & Natter’.

‘Little Angels’ meets every Friday from 10am-12pm and has about 20 families on its books. The babies and toddlers are accompanied by parents, grandparents and carers.

‘Knit & Natter’ meets every Monday from 1.30-3pm and is regularly attended by about 12 individuals, in their 60s-80s.

The Opportunity

The renovation of the building and Rev Julie’s vision to see the space become more open to the community as a ‘warm space’ and a site for contact to combat loneliness in this semi-rural community of the South Staffordshire Moorlands presents a timely opportunity for an artistic intervention based on community co-creation and shared vision. Moreover, during the last 15 years there has been only sporadic contact between ‘Little Angels’ and ‘Knit & Natter’; typically, the knitting group knits ‘chicks’ for Easter for the ‘Little Angels. Having met with the groups for initial consultation, it is clear that there is an interest in not only creating something to help bring about a new vision of community for the space but also, a willingness to work, multi-generationally by bringing the two groups together.

Who?

We are looking for a lead artist to co-design, co-curate and complete the artwork for the interior walls – shown in the above pictures. The artist will work with the two community groups – ‘Little Angels’ and ‘Knit & Natter’ – co-creating the designs and co-curating the final product. You will be supported by the OUTSIDE team including Sarah Bird, Creative Director; Katie Aldous, Operations Manager, and Emma Dawson Varughese, Creative Communities Producer. The contract is for July and August 2025.

OUTSIDE’s recent consultation with these groups has revealed the following themes and motifs:

New friendships made, existing friendships maintained, ‘angels’ young and old, homemade cake and tea served in a proper china teapot and cup, advice-giving and the sharing of stories, a basket with knitting needles in and wool, also a basket with knitted chicks in – Knit & Natter knit these for the Little Angels at Easter time, the children at Little Angels do craft every session – maybe some ideas could come from those ‘makes’, children growing up from 0-5 years old – development and interacting with others.

The Process

The artistic process will involve engagement with the two established community groups (‘Little Angels’ and ‘Knit & Natter’). The lead artist will further explore the themes and motifs already identified (above) as potential material for the mural by these groups as a workshop opportunity. The outcomes of these workshops will feed into the final artwork that the lead artist will complete for Wellspring. The dates for these workshops are tentatively the mornings of 11th and/or 18th July 2025 for ‘Little Angles’ and the afternoons of 7th and/or 14th July 2025 for ‘Knit & Natter’.

Fee: £2500 inclusive of materials and travel expenses

Applicant criteria

· An artist who is committed to, and has previous experience in, co-creation with community groups (not necessarily ‘youth’ communities). This experience should demonstrate strong verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate with people at all levels with a solution focused approach;

· An artist who is an active listener;

· An artist who has experience and the necessary facilitation skills producing medium-scale public art pieces;

· Willingness to work evenings and weekends if necessary;

· An artist who is connected to or interested in the Staffordshire Moorlands (desirable).

Timeline and celebrating the completed artwork

Call-out to artists: Monday 26th May 2025

Deadline for applications: Monday 9th June 2025

Artist appointed by: Tuesday 1st July 2025

Completion of work: Monday 1st September 2025

To apply, submit your application by email to hello@outsidearts.org by 5pm on Monday 9th June 2025 with…

• a proposal for the mural artwork, including responses to the ‘applicant questions’ (see questions below)

• attachments or links to your existing work. If you would prefer, you can also apply by uploading video or audio formats (up to 5 minutes only).

Applicant Questions:

• Your name and contact details (phone number, email and preferred methods of contact)

• Where you are based

• Tell us about how you would approach the brief and how you would organise your time

• Please tell us if you have any connections with Cheadle/Tean or the Staffordshire Moorlands

• Is there anything particular that you may need support with?

• Please tell us about any specific access needs

For any questions, enquiries or support, please email hello@outsidearts.org with the subject line ‘Wellspring Tean Mural’

DEADLINE: 5pm on Monday 9th June 2025 (CLOSED)

About OUTSIDE

OUTSIDE is a consortium-led Creative People and Places Project for the Staffordshire Moorlands. Our purpose is to ensure more people are experiencing and inspired by arts and culture. OUTSIDE is working with residents from across the Staffordshire Moorlands to enrich lives through storytelling which celebrates local people, culture and places.