Manchester Digital Campus – Canal Side Wall Mural

The Commission

We are seeking a talented artist (or collective) to design and create a striking mural that:
Depicts the history of the canal, mill buildings, and industrial heritage of the local area
Is suitable for all ages
Is timeless rather than trend-driven
Is appropriate for a diverse community and inclusive of all backgrounds

Boundary Wall Information

The mural will be located on a new boundary wall between the MDC site and the Rochdale Canal.
The wall for the mural is approximately 58 metres long and 3.6 metres high. The wall is expected to be a continuous concrete surface (with some joints). A plan of the wall can be provided upon request.

Audience

The wall is visible from the public domain. The main audience will be the general public using the canal path and canal and the mill buildings opposite the wall.

Design Requirements

The artwork should:
Read effectively from both short and long distances
Avoid copyrighted imagery
Avoid commercial branding
Avoid political, religious, or controversial content
Be suitable for all ages
Celebrate the history of the local area including the canal, mill buildings, and industrial heritage

Timescales

The final design package must be ready by the end of February 2027 to enable the planning condition to be discharged prior to the building of the wall.
It is anticipated that the installation will take place in September 2027, but this is subject to change.

Who can apply?

We welcome applications from:
Professional artists
Emerging artists with a strong portfolio
Artist collectives or collaborations
Artists with connections to Manchester or the North-West
Artists with a passion for the industrial heritage of Manchester

Budget
Circa £25,000