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Creative Brief: Monkgate Mural

12 May 2026

Publish date: Thursday 7th May 2025

York BID, in partnership with York Civic Trust, York St John University, and the City of York Council, are commissioning a new mural to transform a residential building on Monkgate in central York, and to celebrate the heritage of the local area through art.

AIMS

York BID is committed to increasing the provision of public art in York and launched the York Mural Trail in 2024. The primary aims of the trail are to:

  • Enhance local and visitor experience by improving the visual appeal of York’s high streets
  • Attract and engage residents and visitors by creating new points of interest and encouraging exploration
  • Promote York as a top cultural destination by showcasing the city’s unique history and identity through art

Collectively, the murals will celebrate the people and stories that have made York what it is today and are shaping its future.

THEME

York Civic Trust held an engagement event with residents in April this year. Residents heard about the varied history of the local area, and decided on three possible themes they would like to see celebrated through the mural project:

1. Civil War – the destruction of Monkgate and sparing of Agar’s Almshouse

This theme offers a dramatic and visually compelling moment rooted in both local and national history. During the Siege of York (1644), Parliamentarian forces were positioned roughly where Agar Street now lies, while Royalists within the city set fire to Monkgate to deny them cover. Remarkably, Agar’s Almshouse – then barely a decade old – was spared, as, presumably, were the ‘six poor widows’ who lived there. The destruction and survival lends itself to a striking composition, with clear narrative and strong Early Modern character.

2. Schools – with a focus on the Grey Coat School

The Grey Coat School provides a rich strand of social history, rooted in everyday lives rather than singular events. Located at Nos.31–35 Monkgate from 1784 to 1927, it was a charitable institution for orphaned girls, who were fed, clothed (in grey-coat uniform), and trained for domestic service. This theme allows for a human, character-led mural – exploring changing social attitudes, education, and opportunity – while remaining visually legible and grounded in the street’s own past. (A boy’s equivalent school, providing trade skills, was known as the Blue Coat School and located in a neighbouring part of the city).

3. Monkgate & Jersey Dairy Company

The Monkgate & Jersey Dairy Co. Ltd introduces a lighter, more playful dimension, rooted in 20th-century commercial life. Operating from Nos.48–52 Monkgate (at the corner of Agar Street) until its dissolution in 1967, the dairy reflects the blending of rural and urban economies within the city. This theme offers strong visual potential – ie. carts, milk urns, bottles, livestock imagery – and a chance to celebrate local enterprise, everyday commerce, and more recent memory.

Artists are invited to choose one of the themes above for their submission. Please see the Links & Resources section at the end of this document for further information. The successful Artist will be invited to a 1-hour workshop with York Civic Trust to deepen their understanding of their chosen theme.

Artists and are encouraged to bring their own unique style and creative interpretations to this opportunity.

FINANCES

The project team welcomes submissions up to £4,000 to cover the artist’s fees, materials, and equipment.

LOCATION

The mural will be painted on a residential building on Agar Street/Monkgate in central York. The space has become a target for tagging, and the hope is that the mural will improve its appearance while celebrating local heritage. The total surface area is 25.65m².

PLEASE NOTE, Listed Buildings Consent will be required for the project. Artists will be compensated for all design work completed in support of the application.

SELECTION PROCESS

This paper is an open invitation to all artists, although experience in mural art or art installations in the public realm is preferred.

Submissions will be marked on the following:

  • The artist’s level of experience (20%)
  • The artist’s body of work and style (20%)
  • Understanding of the brief (20%)
  • Innovation and originality (20%)
  • Cost (20%)

Submissions should be unique to the artist and be a completely new artwork. If known images are used that do not belong to the artist, it is the artist’s responsibility to obtain legal permissions and pay any associated fees with using those images. If selected, artists will be required to provide evidence of this.

TO APPLY

To be considered for this project, please email the following information to Rachel at Rachel.Bean@theyorkbid.com by Sunday 31st May.

  1. A copy of your CV
  2. A proposed concept design, including your vision for the mural and how you will respond to the suggested themes
  3. Concept sketches: preliminary sketches or mood boards illustrating your initial ideas for the mural design
  4. Examples of your relevant past work, including murals, large-scale installations, or other creative projects
  5. Cost summary

PROPOSED TIMELINE

Open Call Closes: 23.59, Sunday 31st May

Appointment of Successful Artist: Monday 8th June

Refinement of Final Design: Friday 26th June

Listed Building Consent Application: Up to 12 weeks

Installation and Unveiling: September/October 2026

SUBMISSION CRITERIA

  • Artists must be 18 or over
  • The mural must be visually impactful and demonstrate a high level of skill
  • Murals must not feature any religious, political, or commercial elements, or feature any content which may be considered offensive, controversial, or unsuitable for all audiences
  • The artist will need to install the artwork in situ and be able to provide evidence of public liability insurance

ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS

York BID has the right to use images during installation and on completion of the mural for marketing and promotional purposes. The artist will be credited in all uses of imagery.

York BID has the right to make suggestions to the proposed design should any issues be identified (actual or perceived) that may be cause for concern.

York BID is not required to offer work or financial compensation to any or all artists that bid for this project.

CONTACT DETAILS

Rachel Bean
Project Manager, York BID
Rachel.Bean@theyorkbid.com
01904 809970

York BID cannot meet with artists prior to the submission deadline.

LINKS & RESOURCES:

York Civic Trust – Agar Street and Monkgate Themes

Murals and Listed Buildings, Duncan Marks, York Civic Trust (2026)

York’s Heritage at Risk – York Civic Trust

Giant Mural Unveiled Marking History of Leicester Market

Visit Leicester

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