Test Valley Borough Council has launched a new public art commission inviting an experienced artist to work with young people to co-create a large-scale mural for Chantry Street in Andover.
The project is part of “Gateways to Andover”, a wider public art initiative designed to transform underused and overlooked spaces – including alleyways, underpasses, car parks and pedestrian walkways – into more vibrant and welcoming routes into the town centre.
The scheme supports the Andover Town Centre Masterplan, the Andover Vision ambitions, and the Test Valley Public Art Strategy.
The selected artist will collaborate with four youth partner organisations:
- Yellow Brick Road Projects
- Koala
- Andover Young Carers
- Breakout Youth
They will then design and create a mural that reflects local identity and gives young people a platform to share their voice.
The chosen site is the long wall on Chantry Street that backs onto the Chantry Centre service yard. The council notes that an existing artwork on the wall is deteriorating and will be replaced as part of the new commission.
Test Valley Borough Council say the project aims to “activate Chantry Street as a lively and engaging route to and from the town centre” while also creating opportunities for mentoring, skills development and community pride. The council added that improving public realm and encouraging walking routes forms an important part of the Andover Masterplan.
A total budget of £9,000 is available for the commission, covering artist time, workshops with young people, materials, fabrication, installation, travel, meetings, planning fees and a contingency. A further £900 is reserved for future maintenance of the artwork. The appointed artist will also provide a maintenance plan and outline the expected lifespan of the work.
The timeline for the project includes community engagement and co-creation between January and March 2026, fabrication and installation in May 2026, and evaluation completed by June 2026.
Applications for the commission are open until Monday 15 December 2025. Interviews will take place the week beginning 12 January 2026.
Full details and the brief are available from Test Valley Borough Council.