Open Call: Artist Commission for Salford Crescent Station

• Deliver a permanent legacy artwork commemorating the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal, on the new station platform (currently under construction).
• Create a distinctive marker for Salford Crescent station as a gateway to the University and The Crescent’s cultural offer including Salford Museum and Art Gallery and the Working Class Movement Library.
• Reflect Salford’s identity today, linking heritage with innovation, education, and sustainability (for example the first phase of the industrial revolution was driven by canals and the second phase driven by railways. In the 19th century the canal and railway came under the ownership of a single company ‘canal & railway company’ and built the line to Bolton, which was opened in 1838).
• Embed social value by connecting with people in meaningful ways, whether through design inspired by local stories, interactive or digital elements, or light-touch engagement.
• Engage stakeholders and the wider public through documenting and sharing the creative process through socials, web presence etc (visuals, photographs, short written notes), which then form part of the University’s archive.
• The appointed artist will be responsible for the full installation of the artwork within the allocated budget and timescales, and should plan for on-site installation activity to take no more than three consecutive days.
• Work with the client team to develop and support communications strategy to effectively communicate the project.
• Collate a short concluding report that documents the project, from design and development process, engagement to delivery.

• Planning Condition:
• This commission fulfils a planning condition, which states: “Within twelve months of the first use of the new platform hereby approved, a scheme to commemorate the heritage of the former Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal shall be submitted to, and approved in writing by, the Local Planning Authority. The approved scheme shall be implemented in accordance with a timetable to be agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority and retained thereafter.“
• Additional Heritage: In addition to this commission, a new blue plaque commemorating George Bradshaw (1800-1853), a local cartographer and printer who published Bradshaw’s Guides – a series of railway timetables and guidebooks – will be installed. Alongside, supporting heritage boards. Whilst this commission does not include these elements, consideration will be given to how these pieces work together at the station, to ensure cohesion.
• Artistic Freedom: Form and medium are open, mural, sculpture, installation, or mixed-media proposals are welcome – within budget constraints.
• Identity & Visibility: Artwork should be bold, ambitious, and instantly recognisable as Salford Crescent.
• Sustainability: Materials and methods must be durable, resilient, and environmentally conscious, and consider ongoing care and maintenance requirements of the artwork. Artists are encouraged to propose low-carbon, recycled, or innovative approaches.
• Practicality & Installation: The artwork must be deliverable within the available budget, including installation. Artists should propose practical, buildable methods and be prepared to oversee installation on site in collaboration with station staff.
• Social Value: While large-scale engagement is not required, proposals should demonstrate how the work will resonate with and feel connected to local people.
• Legacy & Continuity: The commission should be considered with a future facing outlook, potentially acting as a springboard for a rolling programme of creative placemaking and opening opportunities for future commissions and partnerships.

The artwork will be located on the new platform at Salford Crescent Station (currently under construction).  The proposed location is a new brick retaining wall – however we are open to other ideas that encompass the platform.

• The wall measures approximately 144 metres in length and slopes in height from 1.9 to 2.2 metres (left to right). It also features a brick corbelling ledge detail along its length.
• There is also a new accommodation block at the end of the platform measuring approx. 2.6m x 3.5m. (Included in the photographs below).
• A site visit will be arranged upon artist selection to allow for detailed assessment of conditions, materials, and fixing requirements.
• The appointed artist will work closely with station staff and the core client team throughout design development. The artist will be expected to plan and manage installation on site, coordinating with Network Rail and Northern to ensure safe and efficient delivery within an agreed three-day installation window.

Artist impression of platform wall.

Platform wall currently under construction, view from platform 1.

Accommodation block wall.

The successful artist will work closely with the core client team made up of:

• Network Rail
• University of Salford
• Salford City Council
• Northern

The project will kick off with an on-site meeting on the new platform to review the retaining wall, discuss practical considerations, and agree the approach.

There will be bi-weekly check-ins with the core client team, held via MS Teams (and in-person where possible) throughout the design and delivery process.

The client team will facilitate engagement with wider groups as appropriate, including:

• Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal Society
• Railway Heritage Trust
• Canal & River Trust
• University
• Crescent Culture Collective (including Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Working Class Movement Library, Walk the Plank, From the Other, START Creative)
• Local community and heritage groups (including Salford Youth Zone)
• Station staff and station users where appropriate

Artists are not expected to manage all stakeholder relationships independently but should be prepared to respond creatively to input and feedback as coordinated by the client team.

The project is funded by Network Rail and the University of Salford.

Commission budget: £20,000 including VAT if applicable. To cover artist fee and all costs and expenses (design, fabrication, installation, optional engagement/interaction, and documentation).