Local schools invited to help design the next underpass artworks in Stevenage

Winning entries will feature in a large school urban artwork display in a Stevenage underpass to be unveiled in Spring 2025.

Local schools invited to help design the next underpass artworks in Stevenage

Primary and secondary school pupils in Stevenage are invited to showcase their creative and design skills with bold colourful designs for a brand new urban design competition “Colour in the Underpass”.  Winning entries will feature in a large school urban artwork display in a Stevenage underpass to be unveiled in Spring 2025.

Pupils are invited to create bold designs in predominantly one colour shade.  The competition provides opportunities for local children to get involved with what’s happening in their town and learn more about Stevenage’s unique New Town history and unique pedestrian and cycle network.

Cllr Richard Henry, Leader of Stevenage Borough Council, comments: “The urban artworks recently unveiled in the town highlight just some of the things that are great about Stevenage, from our much loved green spaces through to internationally renowned businesses. There are so many opportunities here for young people, and it has always been our vision to allow everyone to help to shape the future of the town. We are now asking for help from local schools in shaping the next underpass artworks in the town, based on bold, bright colours and designs. We look forward to seeing the entries!”.

Cllr Loraine Rossati, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Wellbeing at Stevenage Borough Council, comments: “Our public art projects are about making the town more vibrant, showcasing the talents of our local community and highlighting their contributions to Stevenage. Young people have so much to offer and we are so excited to be launching this competition to showcase a new set of artworks as part of this programme. We hope that projects like this will also encourage younger people and families to use our pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, not just for leisure but for walking and cycling to school too.”

The competition closes on Friday 15 November when entries will be judged by a panel of judges.

The underpass project is being funded by the Stevenage Development Board through national government’s towns fund of which Stevenage received £37.5m in March 2021, and will be the latest artwork to be installed as part of a programme of underpass improvement works by Stevenage Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council.

Chair of the Stevenage Development Board Adrian Hawkins OBE added: “Involving the young people of Stevenage in framing their own future is a cornerstone of the regeneration project and it’s clear that these are the people who will shape what tomorrow looks like.

“Creating a competition in which schools are able to design the next underpass artwork using the theme of colour is the perfect way to include the next generation in town development.

“With our focus on STEM and the desire to make Stevenage a great place to live and work, it is my firm belief that engaging young people through education to choose how their home will look is the perfect outcome.

“I’m also delighted that we have chosen colour as our next subject matter and have given a clear nod to the original developers of the town who, among other remarkable acts of foresight, colour coded Stevenage and its areas for ease of access.”

For more information about the competition, please email [email protected].