*This blog has been updated as of 2 November due to the new restrictions during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

I want to provide an opportunity for all our communities to be represented through art in the corridors and public spaces of the civic heart of the city, which is why today I am inviting artists to enter their artworks for the first Bristol’s Art in City Hall programme.

We’re looking for one wall-based artwork from each of Bristol’s 34 wards in order to showcase local talent and use the walls of City Hall as a platform for stories from across the city. This programme, which my office is leading in partnership with the Council’s Culture team, will be the first collective arts exhibition in City Hall. Submission is free and open to Bristol-based artists, community groups, schools or arts organisations.

This project is about ensuring that City Hall as a public building truly represents the communities it works for. By giving the people of Bristol the opportunity to showcase their creativity in City Hall I hope that they will feel greater ownership of this key civic space.

This is a significantly challenging time for all, so as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic we are extending the deadline for submissions for Bristol’s Art in City Hall until Monday 4 January 2021.

We are hoping this extension will provide community groups with a chance to work on submissions when lockdown restrictions are relaxed and schools the time to work on submissions during the first term of the new academic year.

We appreciate many will not be at their creative peak during these difficult times and may have limited resources. However, if you are able to make use of this period of lockdown we would welcome your artwork submissions.

For those who have already submitted your artwork, these will still be considered, but please email my team on mayor@bristol.gov.uk if you would like to share any additional works during the extended submission period.

For more details about entry requirements and the submission form, download the documents below.

We look forward to seeing your submissions!