The National Gallery in London has launched an open call for a new digital experience that transforms the Sainsbury Wing's entrance into a space for storytelling, experimentation and welcome.
The museum is inviting emerging UK-based creatives to propose a "playful and experimental" experience to be displayed on a group of linked HD screens, which were installed in the Sainsbury Wing's entrance as part of its recent refurbishment.
Creative practitioners, technologists, designers, multi-disciplinary teams and creative collectives can submit their expressions of interest through 17 November.
The National Gallery is inviting emerging UK-based creatives to propose a "playful and experimental" experienceNational Gallery
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a one-day workshop at the National Gallery before developing a final pitch. One project will be selected, for a total commission fee of £15,000.
This will go on view from 30 April 2027 and run during the gallery's Friday evening late openings until 4 June 2027.
Lawrence Chiles, head of digital services at the National Gallery, said the new project builds on the gallery's NGX initiative, a digital innovation programme and virtual production studio "where collaborative development processes have helped create some of our most innovative digital experiences".
"We are excited to open the gallery's new digital infrastructure to a new generation of creative practitioners and to see how they use it creatively to help audiences connect with the collection in surprising and inspiring ways," he added.
Digital art commission
The Sainsbury Wing's micro-LED screens span 14 metres by 3 metres. For the new digital experience, the screens will be used as a connected digital environment, referred to as the 'Connected Canvas'.
The brief asks applicants to respond to the National Gallery's paintings and the Sainsbury Wing's entrance, creating an experience that helps visitors "discover the human stories behind paintings and make their own meaningful connections with the National Gallery’s painting collection".
Earlier this year, the National Gallery announced Japanese architect Kengo Kuma as the winner of its architectural competition to design the museum’s new wing.
