Portsmouth City Council has been supporting public art for many years.
These days, public art is much broader than it once was. It could be a permanent or temporary sculpture, a mural, a soundscape, a light installation, a performance, an event, a piece of street furniture or an architectural statement. Put simply, public art is any creative work you can find out about in the city.
How we choose and look after Portsmouth’s public art collection is guided by our Public Art Policy (PDF).
There isn’t a set yearly budget for public art. New pieces are commissioned for specific projects when the money and opportunities to do so become available.
Decisions related to public art are guided by the Public Art Steering Group. Having a steering group ensures transparency in the process of developing and selecting new work. The group is made up of stakeholders from organisations who each play a role in curating and supporting artists in the city. Proposals for public art projects should be sent to seafront.services@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Apply to be a commissioned artist
Applications for the Foxes Forest character design opportunity are now closed.
We commission artists for public art projects across the city. Future opportunities will be published on this page when they become available.
The Windbreaks
The Windbreaks is a council project that gives local arts a chance to show their work in public. There are five double-sided outdoor panels at Speakers Corner. This makes space to display ten large-scale artworks and turning the promenade into an outdoor gallery.
The Windbreaks features three exhibitions each year. These are held December to March, April to July and August to November.
To find out more about The Windbreaks and how you can apply, please visit the Hotwalls Studios website.
Southsea Coastal Scheme
We're delivering a series of public art projects to enhance the new promenades and open spaces created as part of the Southsea Coastal Scheme. This includes a programme of commissions linked by the theme 'Navigate' which are made possible with funding from Arts Council England.
Watch two short films about some of the recent public art commissions:
- Portsmouth Marker 2025 by John Maine RA - YouTube
- Southsea Lighthouse illuminated artwork by Nathan Coley - YouTube
Public art audit
We are currently checking and recording all the public art in Portsmouth. Once this audit is complete, we will share a full list of artworks listed in a PDF. This will include details about their history, the artist, images and more.