Call for artists to bring art to stretch of Forth & Clyde canal from Kelpies to Falkirk Wheel

Scotland’s National Outdoor Art Park will form part of the Falkirk Growth Deal , with the linear art park following the canal to link the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel.

A call has now gone out from the Falkirk Growth Deal to find up to three artists to help shape the plans for the project.

The £3 million project is one of a number of that make up the Falkirk Growth Deal programme.

A spokesperson said: “The concept of the Art Park is to use artwork to bring to life the four-mile route which runs along the banks of the Forth & Clyde Canal. Early ideas are being developed in a partnership between Scottish Canals, Falkirk Council, Creative Scotland, Visit Scotland and Scottish Futures Trust.”

Invitations are being sought by early February from artists, creative thinkers and curators who can support the partners to shape early proposals and inform a brief for a masterplan for the route.

More information is available from [email protected]

The Falkirk Growth deal represents an £80 million investment in the local economy following the signing of the agreement in December 2021 by ministers from the UK and Scottish Governments and representatives from Falkirk Council.

The deal is expected to result in up to 2000 jobs and £1 billion worth of public and private sector investment.

City and Growth Deals across the UK are providing financial support to Councils to invest in infrastructure and related measures to enable sustainable, inclusive growth.

At the time the Growth Deal was signed, Catherine Topley from Scottish Canals said: “The Kelpies and The Falkirk Wheel, two of Scotland’s most dynamic and distinctive attractions, are located in Falkirk.

“This additional funding will enable the creation of a new and unique outdoor national art park along the Forth & Clyde Canal, encouraging more people to use our network by bike, boot, and boat.”

Growth Deal funding will also help Scottish Canals relocate its headquarters to Lock 16 in Camelon.