We are inviting UK-based emerging creatives to develop a bold digital experience for the National Gallery’s Connected Canvas screens, a group of linked digital screens in the Sainsbury Wing entrance. One individual or team will receive a £15,000 commission to produce the work, which will appear as timed takeovers during Friday evening openings from April to early June 2027.

Applications close at 11:59pm on Tuesday 17 November 2026.

The opportunity

How can a digital experience help people discover the human stories behind paintings and make their own meaningful connections with the National Gallery’s painting collection?

We are looking for an ambitious digital work that explores this question using the Connected Canvas screens. Inspired by the vision and principles developed through NG Citizens, the work should consider the place the Gallery and its painting collection can have in people’s lives today.

NG Citizens is the Gallery’s UK-wide Citizens’ Assembly, bringing together 50 people from across the UK to consider the question, 'What do you want from the UK’s National Gallery?'

The vision:

'The UK’s National Gallery belongs to the nation and welcomes everyone free of charge. The collection through unique experiences of storytelling and human connection is relevant to all ages.

The Gallery provides spaces for all people to engage with the paintings in a variety of ways, including new technologies. Through regional partnerships, digital access, and public decision making, the collection reaches the whole nation.

The Gallery is inclusive and represents all of us; a place where people feel a sense of belonging, connection and inspiration.'

The principle:

'The National Gallery should tell the human stories of the paintings, their creation and history, and their life since joining the collection, enabling visitors to make their own meaningful connections and stories.'

Applicants are invited to use these statements as a starting point to explore the people, histories and changing meanings behind the paintings in unexpected ways, or the stories visitors bring to them today.

We are particularly interested in work that welcomes first-time visitors and people who may not immediately feel that the Gallery is for them. Technology should be used purposefully to deepen human connection, rather than simply to demonstrate technical innovation.

The Connected Canvas

The Connected Canvas is a series of digital screens in the Sainsbury Wing entrance foyer and one of the first things visitors see when they arrive.

Three high-resolution micro-LED screens form a single canvas spanning 14 metres by 3 metres. The Big Screen is prominently positioned opposite the main entrance, with the Information Desk Screen and Map Screen on vertical pillar columns nearby.

The work must use all three screens together as one connected digital experience. At scheduled times, it will take over the entire canvas and transform the entrance.

Please consider the work’s scale, pace, clarity, accessibility and sensory impact, as well as how visitors will experience it in this busy public space.

The commission

The selected project will receive a £15,000 commission. The fee must cover all creative fees and production costs required to deliver the work.

The successful applicant or team will lead the production, testing and delivery of the work, bringing in any additional creative or technical expertise required.

The work may use moving image, animation, still images, sound or other digital approaches, within the available budget, schedule and technical requirements.

The National Gallery will provide relevant assets if required, specialist guidance and testing support.

The work will launch on Friday 30 April 2027 and appear as timed takeovers across six Friday evenings.

Please read the Connected Canvas technical specifications and FAQs below before developing proposals.

Eligibility

Applications are welcome from individuals, collectives, multidisciplinary teams and collaborators working across creative and digital practice. For team applications, everyone in the creative team must meet the eligibility requirements.

Applicants must:

Be based in the UK.
Identify as emerging creatives within the first five years of professional practice.
Be outside full-time formal education; applicants in part-time education are eligible.

Selection criteria

Applications will be assessed on:

The strength, originality and clarity of the idea.
The response to the National Gallery’s collection and the NG Citizens' vision and principle.
Creative and purposeful use of the Connected Canvas.
Consideration of audience experience, accessibility and inclusion.
Feasibility within the available budget, schedule and technical requirements.

How to apply

Applicants must submit an online Expression of Interest (EOI) form by 11:59pm on Tuesday 17 November 2026.

You will be asked to introduce yourself or your team, share examples of relevant work and briefly outline your initial idea. A fully developed proposal or production plan is not required at this initial stage.

IdeasLab and shortlisting

Up to ten applicants or teams will be shortlisted and invited to attend an in-person IdeasLab workshop at the National Gallery on 13 January 2027.

The IdeasLab will help shortlisted applicants develop their initial ideas into proposals, providing information about the painting collection, the Connected Canvas screens, the Gallery’s audiences, accessibility, technical production, and supported time to work on their proposals and identify any further expert input needed.

Each shortlisted applicant or team selected for IdeasLab will receive £500 for taking part and developing their proposal. This payment is made per application and is intended to cover all related costs, including travel to IdeasLab and the final pitch.

Following IdeasLab, participants will develop a detailed proposal. Up to five will be invited to present their proposal to the selection panel, covering their creative approach, use of the screens, audience experience, running time and delivery plan.

Application process and timeline

Deadline for Expression of Interest: Tuesday 17 November (11.59pm)
Shortlisted applicants notified: Monday 14 December
*IdeasLab: Wednesday 13 January 2027 (all day)
Deadline for proposal submission: Thursday 21 January 2027 (11.59pm)
Final shortlisted applicants notified: Thursday 28 January 2027
*Pitch presentation: Monday 1 or Tuesday 2 February 2027
Commission awarded: Friday 5 February 2027
Commission production timeline: February to April 2027
Commission launch: Friday 30 April 2027
Commission display: Fridays 30 April, 7, 14, 21 and 28 May, 4 June 2027 (between 6–9pm)

* Shortlisted applicants must be able to commit to these dates

For team applications, at least one team member must attend the IdeasLab and the pitch presentation in person.

Connected Canvas Digital Commission