Artswork Offers Two Significant Artist Commissions For Youth-Led Public Work In Sandown

(C) Wildheart Animal Sanctuary

Artswork, the charity that works to empower young people through creativity, is looking for Isle of Wight-based artists for two impactful commissions aimed at making a positive impact in Sandown, as part of its Young Cultural Changemakers programme.

Through funding from Arts Council England, and £500 of support from Sandown Town Council, it is offering £14,000 for one or more artists to work as artist in residence at the Bay CE School and Forest Edge School from October to March 2026.

Outcomes from this residency will include repainting the prominent murals at the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary on Sandown sea front, which will make a significant impact on the appearance of the town.

The other commission – worth £5,000 – is to work with students from Lionheart School to create an installation for Sandown Station.

This is part of a larger project Artswork is running, with funding from South Western Railway CCIF, with the aim of promoting pride in the station and reducing anti-social behaviour. This project will look at the history of rail travel, partly through student conversations with older people. 

(c) Artwork

Peta Rainford, placemaking creative producer for Artswork on the Isle of Wight said:

“These are both really exciting opportunities for local creatives to work with young people to make a real difference to Sandown.

"Our aim is to promote community cohesion and increase pride in Sandown, whilst supporting the students involved to develop new skills, increasing their confidence, self esteem and connection to community.”

Applications for both opportunities are due in the first week of September. Full details are available here: linktr.ee/IOWArtswork