To celebrate Black History Month this year, London Arts and Health and The Culture Health and Wellbeing Alliance will commission six artists to explore and showcase their creative practices. This initiative is rooted in the belief that the arts can be a powerful force for health, climate justice, and cultural empowerment.
Listen to an audio recording of this callout
This year’s theme, “Standing Firm in Power and Pride,” is a powerful tribute to the resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to progress that defines the Black community across the globe. The theme highlights the profound contributions made by Black people be they leaders, activists, or pioneers who have shaped history, while also looking towards a future of continued empowerment, unity, and growth.
We are focusing on artists within black communities across the UK who are being recognised as leaders, activists, or pioneers within the realm of creative health, climate action and planetary health, honing in on community initiatives.
Call for Artists
We are looking to commission:
- 3 artists based in London with London Arts and Health membership
- 3 artists based anywhere in the UK
Among the six, 3 artists will be Planetary Health Practitioners, whose creative work engages participants in imaginative and meaningful ways.
What’s on Offer
Each commissioned artist will receive £150 in line with our policy on paid engagement with freelance, unwaged, part-time or low-waged colleagues.
Artists can contribute in the form of:
- A blog, a creative reflection, a case story
- A short video on their practice/work
- A written project description along with their portfolio
Your pitch should describe your work, your approach, and your Black History Month project submission in detail.
How Will Your Work Be Shared?
The commissioned artworks and artist profiles will be showcased throughout Black History Month 2025 via:
- Our social media platforms
- The London Arts and Health and Culture Health and Wellbeing Alliance website
- The CHWA bulletin and LAH newsletter
Timelines for the BHM Commission
Deadline to submit your pitch via the Google form: 8th September, Monday
If you’re successful, you will hear from us by the 12th of September, Friday.
You will be asked to make your final submission (please refer to ‘What’s on Offer’) for the Black History Month by 26th of September, Friday.
Submissions will be shared on CHWA and LAH website and social media throughout the month of October.
Interested in Applying?
If this opportunity speaks to your practice, we’d love to hear from you. Please send your pitch via this Google form including:
- A brief description of your practice and project (in not more than 200 words)
- Your profile/portfolio or CV
- Any other links/resources/pictures
If you prefer, you can also send an audio or video file via wetransfer to [email protected] and [email protected] or use the forms at the bottom of this page. We will then contact you to let you know if your pitch has been selected. There is no need to send the finished piece at this stage.
Access Information
Our standard application process is via Google Forms. However, we accept applications in any format that works for you, including audio and video. If you would prefer to apply in a format other than the application form, please use WeTransfer to send your application to [email protected] and [email protected]
Here you can access a Word and PDF version of the application.
If you require any other access support, please email [email protected] and [email protected]
We look forward to hearing from you!