Art & Culture
Royal Docks Originals: Public Art Series Live Opportunities
Newham is the beating heart of London’s culture and one of the city’s most diverse boroughs. Home to a vibrant community of artists, performers, musicians, and production agencies, it is the capital’s newest cultural destination. Some of the UK’s most ambitious and dynamic cultural regeneration is taking place in this pioneering borough, including the Royal Docks, which fast growing to become London’s Cultural Engine.
Taking place in September-October 2025, Royal Docks Originals (RDO) is a brand-new biennial festival speaking loud and proud to this vision, and Newham’s unique cultural heritage, diversity, and dynamism.
Hive Curates is commissioning a series of live events with the following budgets:
- 5 x £1,000 Live Series - open to performance, sound and digital artists
- 4 x £500 live performance fee - open to visual artists, musicians and performers.
The Royal Docks Team and Hive Curates will unveil a series of new live commissions in the public realm that characterise the identity of Royal Docks people and place. The live series seeks to explore the areas of equilibrium, flow, transition, decolonisation and reclamation. We are looking for live activations that will help provide an anchor to the festival.
We are looking to commission any form of artistic expression, whether in visual arts, sound, digital media, performance or spoken word. Examples of activities that we're looking to commission could be an exhibition using a vacant shop unit, a live installation, or a sound/music/dance/performance in the public realm. These are just a few suggestions; we’re excited to hear your creative ideas and we welcome any proposal from creatives who work across the arts. You do not have to be a resident of Newham to apply; if you are a creative with a connection to Royal Docks or Newham, we’d love to hear from you!
About Royal Docks Originals
A brand new festival from London’s Cultural Engine, Royal Docks Originals will present world-class arts, spectacular new installations, and premier performances for three weeks in Autumn 2025.
Launching on 15th September, more than 50 events will respond to the Royal Docks stunning land and waterscape. The festival will enable artists, Londoners, and visitors to explore the area’s past and future through the lens of transformation, revealing the stories, history, heritage and aspirations of the Royal Docks and its diverse community.
The theme of Royal Docks Originals 2025 is transformation, and the programme will reflect the evolution of the area and its pivotal role, past and present, in London’s complex story as a global city. Built over 100 years ago, the Royal Docks heritage includes its role as a part of the industrial revolution and British colonial trading. Today as London’s only enterprise zone, with one of the youngest and most diverse communities in the UK, it stands as a beacon for more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable growth.
Take a look at highlights from the 2021 pilot here.
Royal Docks Originals is a movement, not just a moment. More than a one-off showcase of incredible projects made by Royal Docks creatives. Royal Docks Originals is a biennial cultural collaboration that involves the whole Royal Docks community. 2025 is the first edition and residents, workers, and students from across the area are joining together with leading Newham creatives and businesses to make Royal Docks Originals 2025 into a fantastic celebration of the area’s heritage, people, and places, and to stake a claim in shaping the area’s future.
About Hive Curates
Hive Curates champion the development of an artist's career, creating opportunities to transform our everyday environments. Our work includes commissioning public art, delivering cultural programmes and producing light festivals.
Past Projects by Hive Curates
The following commissions exemplify Hive Curates' ongoing interest in site-responsive work, community co-creation, and the transformation of public space. All projects were delivered within the £500 - £1,000 allocated budget:
Unwind in the City
As part of Unwind in the City, an 8 week cultural programme held in the City of London, Hive Curates supported multiple artists to take to the streets or local venues to perform; entertaining the general public throughout the summer months.
Enfield Winter Lights - Vicky Thompson Vinyl Window Commission
As part of Enfield Winter Lights Hive Curates commissioned local artist Vicky Thompson to create a bespoke floral designed artwork which was then printed and installed onto the window of a local cafe called Pages & Blendz. The artwork created a stained glass-like effect which became a destination and drove traffic back to the high street.
Commissions for the Live Series could engage with or respond to public artworks which are being delivered by Hive Curates as part of the wider Public Art Series for Royal Docks Originals:
Graphic Rewilding
Renowned creative duo Graphic Rewilding have been commissioned by Hive Curates to create a large-scale mural for The Pump House, a new creative workspace near Royal Victoria DLR, as part of the Royal Docks Public Art Series 2025. Launching at the start of June 2025, the mural will showcase their signature floral-inspired designs. The artwork was shaped by input from residents, who shared stories, drawings, and memories of their favourite flowers. These community contributions helped inform the mural’s design, reflecting the community’s cultural connections, emotions, and personal associations with nature. Graphic Rewilding’s work aims to uplift and inspire by harnessing the calming, mood-boosting power of nature, making the mural a vibrant visual landmark and a source of everyday positivity.
Chila Kumari Singh Burman MBE
Chila Kumari Singh Burman MBE has been commissioned by Hive Curates to create an original public artwork for the Royal Docks Public Art Series 2025. Transforming a TFL IFS Cloud kiosk near Kamal Chunchie Way, the piece will celebrate the area’s South Asian heritage and reflect themes of transformation, decolonisation, and community. Launching as part of the RDO festival, the artwork will serve as a vibrant entrance for visitors and involve local engagement through workshops and partnerships. The work will explore themes of water and female empowerment, connecting with Burman’s broader focus on cultural heritage and storytelling. This playful work will feature her signature ice-cream cone, inspired by and linking to her personal history, drawing from her father’s ice cream van.
The Line are also planning to unveil several public commissions in the area in 2025.
Please note that as the art commissions develop there may be additional opportunities to respond to the public art series.
Application Process
We aim to make our application process as accessible as possible and we will accept proposals in written, audio or video formats. We encourage applications from all artists and collectives and if you require any assistance with your application please contact us at royaldockshivecurates@gmail.com.
Online Drop-In Sessions for Questions about the Open Call & Application Process:
- 11am-11:30am on Thursday 22nd May
MEETING LINK
Deadline for Clarification Questions: 22/05/2025 (5pm)
Deadline for Applications: 03/06/2025 (midnight)
To apply, please complete the Google Form linked below. You'll be asked to outline your proposal, preferred dates, technical requirements, and provide a basic budget breakdown.
Timeline
14/5/2025 - Open Calls go live and are promoted across channels & networks
22/05/2025
11am-11:30am - Online Drop-In Session for Questions about the Open Call & Application Process: 11am-11:30am for £500 & £1000 commissions MEETING LINK HERE
5pm - Deadline for any clarification questions
03/06/2025 (midnight) - Deadline for Applications
11/06/2025 - Interviews with follow up questions from RDO (if necessary)
12/06/2025 - Artists appointed
18/06/2025 - Contracts shared with artists
25th June or 2nd July - Kick off meeting with artists (artists only need to attend 1 date)
July - August 2025 - Artist development and community engagement
Early Sept - Final preparation and site visits with Hive
22nd Sept - 5th Oct - Festival delivery window
Mid-October - Evaluation forms shared with artists
