RAF Museum announces art commission
Published on: 29 November 2024
The Royal Air Force Museum is seeking a socially engaged artist, experienced in consulting and working creatively with communities on co-produced art projects, to undertake a nine-month funded art commission. Marking the 25th anniversary of the ending of the ‘gay ban’ in HM Armed Forces (1967-2000), the commissioned artist will examine the effects of the ban and its repeal, namely the experiences and perspectives of LGBT+ RAF veterans and currently serving personnel.
Divided across two financial years (2024-25; 2025-26), a £30,500 budget will cover all costs of the commission, including artist fees, travel, accommodation and expenses, community co-creation workshops, specialist training and facilitation, and the materials and making of the artwork. The artist fee will be £10,000 and materials should represent up to £12,000. Full details are in our artist brief
The Ministry of Defence Main Building HQ in London, illuminated with rainbow colours
to mark 20 years since the lifting of the LGBT military ban.
Further Details
The artist will work with RAF Museum staff (Curator of Fine Art, Community Engagement Manager, RAF Stories Manager) and LGBT+ communities from Fighting With Pride and the RAF LGBTQ+ Freedom Network to develop an artwork, or suite of works, which:
- Sensitively addresses the gay ban and its impact, and current perspectives on LGBT+ life in the RAF
- Examines themes and messages identified in artist-led community co[1]creation and consultation workshops*
- Draws on information, research and resources concerning the histories of sexuality and gender within the RAF and Armed Forces
- Is relatable to LGBT+ and wider audiences
- Is accessible for disabled and neurodivergent people (guidance will be provided)
- Supports the Museum’s commitment to environmental sustainability (guidance will be provided)
- May measure no more than 5 metres x 2 metres and may be displayed in a gallery.
We are open to a range of ideas and artistic approaches and do not prescribe any particular visual art form or medium.
The art commission represents one aspect of a long-term commitment to telling the stories of RAF LGBT+ personnel and veterans, and we understand that this one project may not comprehensively describe lived experience of the LGB ban; rather, it may shed light on some perspectives out of many.
*For initial community ideas about themes, as well as the personal specification, full details of the commission and how to apply please download the full artist brief
Key Dates
The deadline for expressions of interest is Friday 10 January 2025
We aim to shortlist by 17 January 2025 and to interview shortlisted artists in the week commencing 20 January 2025.
For an informal conversation about the commission please email artcollection@rafmuseum.org