Calling Local Artists: Street Stories Hemel Hempstead Launches in 2026
Hemel Hempstead BID is inviting local artists to participate in an exciting paid community art project, ‘Street Stories Hemel Hempstead’, set to launch in 2026. This innovative initiative will transform vacant units across Hemel Hempstead town centre into visually stunning, large-scale artworks. Each piece will be interactive, bringing the artworks to life via smartphones scanning QR codes, and creating a multi-sensory animated experience. The project aims to bring vibrancy to the high street, celebrate the town’s character, and engage both residents and visitors in a unique cultural experience.
Call for Artists:
Hemel Hempstead BID is seeking a diverse range of artistic styles and media, reflecting the town’s stories and community spirit. We particularly encourage submissions from people who were born, live or work in Hemel Hempstead or the surrounding local area. Artists are encouraged to submit existing works that tie into local stories or create new pieces inspired by local themes.
Suggested topics include:
- Connections & Community- Celebrating the people, places, and moments that bring Hemel together.
- A Vibrant Destination – Capturing Hemel’s energy, creativity, and spirit of enterprise.
- Wellbeing & “A Town in a Park” – Exploring balance, nature, and the harmony between green and urban life.
- Roots & Heritage – Tracing Hemel’s story from its charter to the New Town vision, past meeting present.
- Future Visions: Hemel 2050 – Imagining what Hemel could become, a bold, sustainable, connected future.
Previous Installations have also covered themes and topics around:
- Notable figures and local stories
- Human rights and social justice
- Local charities and social initiatives
- Culture, society, and traditions
- Science, technology, and innovation
- Education and learning
- Arts, heritage, film, theatre, and television
All successful artists will receive £200 per artwork, and their creations will be prominently displayed in the town centre alongside an artist profile, website links, and social media handles. This will be installed in a vacant shop unit and remain in situ until the unit has been let.
Hemel Hempstead BID will also run a comprehensive PR campaign across local media channels to promote the project.
Submission Details
Artists should submit artwork proposals with a short description explaining how their piece reflects a local story to:
hello@hemelhempsteadbid.com by Sunday 7th December 2025.
About Street Stories Hemel Hempstead
Hemel Hempstead BID has received £30,000 from local government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to deliver Street Stories Hemel Hempstead. The BID represents nearly 200 local businesses, and work focuses on improving the town centre experience, enhancing public spaces, supporting businesses, and promoting Hemel Hempstead as a vibrant place to live, work, and visit. Street Stories Hemel Hempstead will highlight the potential of vacant commercial spaces, encourage footfall throughout the town centre, and showcase the creativity of the local arts community at a pivotal time in Hemel Hempstead’s economic recovery.
Nicola Wooldridge, BID Manager, said:
“We’re really excited to be bringing Street Stories to Hemel Hempstead in 2026. This project will transform vacant units into something positive and creative, shining a light on our town’s unique character. It’s a great way to engage the community, support local artists, and give visitors another reason to spend time on our high street.”
For more information, submission guidelines, and inspiration from other Street Stories trails, visit www.hemelhempsteadbid.com
