Expressions of Interest for the National Gallery’s ‘Art On Your Doorstep’ Programme
11 March 2026
Deadline: March 18, 2026
The National Gallery: Art On Your Doorstep is a free, outdoor exhibition of a range of artworks from their collection.
Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) has partnered with the Gallery to print eighteen of their favourite artworks. The Council’s Museum team have selected artworks for six sites, from familiar pieces by artists such as Renoir and Van Gogh alongside art that engages us with nature, food and times of celebration. Each painting and its frame is reproduced at life size so you can look closely and discover the details. The exhibition opens on the 31st March and will run until 30 September 2026.
The six sites with related artwork are:
1. Tower Museum
- Joseph Wright ‘of Derby’ (1734 – 1797), An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump, 1768
- George Bellows (1882 – 1925), Men of the Docks,1912
- Cosimo Tura (before 1431 – 1495), A Muse (Calliope?), probably 1455-60
2. Acorn Farm
- Paul Gauguin (1848 – 1903), Bowl of Fruit and Tankard before a Window, Probably 1890
- Juan de Zurbarán (1620 – 1649), Still Life of Lemons, Day Lilies, Carnations, Roses and a Lemon Blossom in a Wicker Basket, together with a Goldfinch perched on a Porcelain Bowl of Water, on top of a Silver Tray, all arranged upon a Stone Ledge, About 1643-9
- Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571 – 1610), The Supper at Emmaus, 1601
- Jean-Etienne Liotard (1702 – 1789), The Lavergne Family Breakfast, 1754
- Hans Holbein the Younger (1497/8 – 1543), A Lady with a Squirrel and a Starling (Anne Lovell?), About 1526-8
3. St Columb’s Park House
- John Constable (1776-1837), The Hay Wain, 1821
- Rachel Ruysch (1664 – 1750), Flowers in a Vase, About 1685
- Vincent van Gogh (1853 – 1890), Sunflowers, 1888
- Henri Rousseau (1844 – 1910), Surprised!, 1891
4. NI Libraries Strabane
- Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas (1834 – 1917), Ballet Dancers, About 1890-1900
- Pietro Longhi (1701 – 1785), Exhibition of a Rhinoceros at Venice, Probably 1751
5. The Diamond Castlederg
- Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841 – 1919), The Umbrellas, About 1881-6
- Vincent van Gogh (1853 – 1890), A Wheatfield, with Cypresses, 1889
6. Newtownstewart Castle
- Pieter de Hooch (1629 – after 1684), The Courtyard of a House in Delft, 1658
- Jan van Eyck (active 1422; died 1441), Portrait of Giovanni(?) Arnolfini and his Wife, 1434
Specification
Derry City & Strabane District Council’s Museum Service are seeking expressions of interest from experienced artist/s to create and deliver a series of activities for the ‘Art On Your Doorstep’ programme.
a. Launch event – 31st March 10am -12noon at the Tower Museum
This would require an artist onsite working on a ‘live piece / installation as part of the launch event. The artwork should develop over the course of the launch event and must show how the piece has been inspired by the art works included in the wider ‘Art On Your Doorstep’ programme. The artwork does not have to be completed on the day but must be returned to the Tower Museum for display within a four-week period. The artwork will become part of the Museum Services collection.
b. Engagement events x 2
Two events to run at two of the partner sites (selected in partnership with the Museum team) during the period May-August 2026.
Available Budget
The total maximum potential budget for this project cannot exceed £2,000 ex VAT.
Evaluation & Award criteria
Applicants must provide the following:
- Evidence of Public Liability insurance
Methodology: (80%)
Live event proposal should detail: (max 1 A4 side)
- Your approach to live creation of an artwork, how you will set up, interact with audience, preparation works, how much you anticipate creating on site, finishing process
- Materials and equipment to be used with reference to longevity of the work for inclusion in DCSDC collection
- Anticipated size and scale of the work
- Ideas on theme / concept and how it relates to the ‘Art on Your Doorstep’ programme selection
- Statement of Agreement Copyright – as work is to be retained as part of DCSDC Art Collection, the artists contract would include lifetime copyright to include the right to reproduce/ alter for use in publications etc, artist will be credited where used
Engagement events proposal should detail: (max 1 A4 size)
- Your approach to working with DCSDC Museum Services to agree partner sites and identify target audiences
- Type of engagement activity you propose to offer e.g. demonstration / workshop/ group creation, discussion capture. Materials and/or equipment used
- Ideas on theme / concept for engagement sessions and how it relates to the Art on Your Doorstep programme selection
- How you will capture tangible participatory results for example in a display, exhibition, film, digital story to be retained by DCSDC Museum Services
Costs: (20%)
A breakdown of costs should be provided, this should include a daily cost plus materials. Costs should be exclusive of VAT.
Applications must be submitted by 5pm,18 March 2026 to bernadette.walsh@derrystrabane.com
Appointment will be made 20th March 2026.