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We are Culture&

Culture& is an independent arts and education charity formed in 1988 and based in London and Stoke-on-Trent and works to open up who makes and enjoys arts and heritage. We work in partnership with arts and heritage institutions and artists to develop programmes that promote diversity in the workforce and expand audiences. We deliver this work through education, research, consultancy and public programmes initiatives.

This commission was created in memory of our late colleague Jean Stevens who was our longest serving trustee.

About Jean Karen Stevens

1962-2024

Jean embodied Culture&’s ethos of increasing opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds. She described herself as a ‘South London girl’ with a happy upbringing. Jean said she discovered her love of learning only after she had left school. So, she studied accountancy, going on to qualify as a Chartered Accountant specialising in the voluntary sector and rising to become director of finance and operations at a housing charity.

Coming late to the professional world, Jean had a very keen commitment to Culture&’s mission to open opportunities to disadvantaged people so that they can realise their full potential.  In addition to her professional roles, Jean was a volunteer at Croydon Nightwatch that cares for homeless people.

The Commission

Fee: £1400 (Inclusive of production and all expenses)

Deadline: 31 December 2025 

Open to all artists with expertise in visual arts to create a small-scale artwork in two or three-dimensional work in any medium (except performance or film). Maximum size, 2D work must not be larger than A1 594 x 841 mm or 59.4 x 84.1 cm. 3D work must not exceed 80 cm high x 40 in width or depth.

We are seeking an artist to create a colourful, vibrant, and thoughtful artwork that responds to the symbolic themes of daffodils and sunflowers.

Theme: flowers as migrants and anchors

Sunflowers originate from the Americas, are associated with happiness, warmth, adoration, and loyalty through their connection to the sun and its movement, and across cultures and art history they have come to symbolise growth, resilience, friendship, and strength turning always towards the light, they embody positivity and energy while carrying depth, having been depicted as both joyous and at times melancholic, most famously in the works of Van Gogh.

Daffodils are likely to have been brought to Britain by the Romans from the Iberian Peninsula, they bloom each spring, and are often seen as symbols of joy, renewal, and hope. Their bright golden colour brings warmth and optimism, and in many cultures, they are shared as signs of good luck and prosperity. Resilient enough to push through the cold of winter, daffodils also embody a sense of endurance, while their many different varieties speak to diversity and the richness it brings.

Description of Exhibition

The final piece will be displayed in a temporary gallery exhibition in Staffordshire. The art form has been left intentionally broad, whether painting, photography, sculpture, digital art, or mixed media to allow artists to bring their own ideas and proposals. The work should be ready for public presentation (printed, mounted, or installed, and weather-resistant if outdoors), it should balance artistic originality with sensitivity, ensuring that the piece feels celebratory, inclusive, and reflective in memory of Jean.

This exhibition of the commissioned artwork by Culture& will serve as a vehicle for individuals, family members, and allies to celebrate Jean’s life and legacy. It offers a space for reflection, remembrance and joy, and will be shown at a venue to be confirmed in Stoke-on-Trent from March 2026.

How to Apply

Please complete the Exhibition Entry Form below. Deadline: 31 December 2025 (5pm)