Overview
Camden has a long tradition of artists living and working in the borough. Major visual artists like Anthony Caro and Henry Moore have been based here. It’s a tradition that’s carried on, with art and artists at the very heart of the communities, and creative people from all over the world coming to Camden to create and showcase their work.
Viewing public art in Camden
Camden supports public art that reflects the borough’s spirited nature and holds our community’s values at the heart of the project, creating a playful environment that brings enjoyment to our residents, local businesses, and many visitors.
The Kings Cross development, for example, has public art built into its core. You can uncover the stories behind these pieces on a self-guided walk around the area.
Apply to place artworks and memorials in parks and open spaces
Memorials and public art can positively enhance the public realm. They can help us to reflect on and remember the lives and experiences of those who live or once lived in the borough, commemorate events of importance, provide reminders to the historical and social past or simply enhance an area and the aesthetic value people derive from it.
Application guidelines
Read the following documents before applying:
- Artworks and memorials in parks, open spaces and the public realm in Camden (PDF)
- Camden Planning Guidance - Artworks, statues and memorials (PDF)
Only after you have reviewed the issues in the guidance document, and judged that your proposal seems to fit with the criteria in this guide, should you develop your proposal.
It will need be detailed enough for us to fully understand what you are proposing and will need to include details of how the cost of the proposal is to be covered and how future management and maintenance costs will be met.
Proposals that do not provide a sufficient level of detail will not be considered.
Apply to place artworks and memorials in parks and open spaces
Camden Art Collection
Camden holds a varied collection of works from the late 1950s to the late 1980s, with many pieces by artists who have a strong connection to the borough.
Some works were inherited from earlier authorities who gifted these artworks to the Council when it was established in 1965. Other works were purchased by the Council during 1965 to 1985, with funding from a small ‘Picture Loan’ scheme the Council ran.
Search the Camden Art collection database