Written By Gabby Hyman

call out: folk music commission – WimbOrnE unsung hErOes

Wimborne Minster Town Council is seeking a folk musician, duo, ensemble, or interdisciplinary music-maker to create a new body of original music for Wimborne’s year as Dorset Town of Culture 2026.

This commission is part of HOME, a Wimborne 2026 flagship programme supported by public funding from Arts Council England, exploring stories of belonging, identity, heritage, and community across Wimborne and its surrounding areas.

Inspired by the idea of the unsung hero, the commission invites artists to respond creatively to contemporary experiences, memories, histories, and everyday life in Wimborne and its surrounding communities through newly created music and song.

The commissioned work will contribute to the wider HOME programme through broadcast, digital sharing, and exhibition activity, including a future sound installation at Walford Mill in January 2027. There may also be opportunities for future public performance and presentation as part of the project legacy.

the commission

The selected artist or group will:

Community Engagement & Research

Community engagement activity will be developed and facilitated in partnership with the HOME project team, who will support the commissioned artist(s) in connecting with local groups, participants, events, and community settings. We welcome artists who are interested in shaping this process collaboratively and bringing their own ideas and approaches to how stories, conversations, and creative participation might inform the work.

This engagement activity could include workshops, conversations, participation in local events, creative drop-ins, open calls or collaborative songwriting.

The project team will co-ordinate this, while inviting the commissioned artist(s) to help shape the creative approach.

Creative Development

Create a collection or body of original music inspired by the stories, experiences, and perspectives gathered through the engagement process. We are interested in work that reflects a range of voices, identities, and community experiences connected to Wimborne.

Recording

Provide high-quality digital recordings of the music for use within the wider HOME programme, including broadcast, exhibition, digital sharing, and community engagement activity.

sharing & legacy

The commissioned work will form part of the wider HOME legacy programme through broadcast, exhibition and digital sharing.

rights & usage

The commissioned artist(s) will retain intellectual property and copyright ownership of all music and recordings created through this commission.

Wimborne Minster Town Council and HOME project partners will receive a non-exclusive licence to use, reproduce, share, broadcast, and present the commissioned work for non-commercial purposes connected to Wimborne Town of Culture 2026, HOME, associated legacy activity, documentation, archive, learning, marketing, exhibition, and community engagement.

This licence includes the right to share the work digitally and in future exhibitions or presentations connected to the project and its legacy.

Any commercial use of the work beyond this scope will be subject to separate agreement with the artist(s).

who can apply

We are looking for artists who are excited by storytelling, community connection, and creating new work rooted in place and people.

We welcome applications from:

  • Solo musicians, singer-songwriters, duos, ensembles, composers, and interdisciplinary artists working with folk or folk-influenced practices

  • Artists working across traditional, contemporary, experimental, commercial, or cross-cultural folk traditions

  • Artists with experience of participatory or community-engaged practice, or a strong interest in developing this aspect of their work

Applicants must be aged 18+ and based in the UK. We particularly welcome applications from artists living or working in Dorset and the South West.

Wimborne Town of Culture is 'The Culture Catalyst'. We recognise that storytelling builds bridges, and we actively encourage applications from global majority artists, celebrating folk traditions and histories from around the world to reflect the diverse tapestry of our audiences.

fee & support

The total commission fee is £3,500 inclusive of:

  • Artist fees

  • Research and development, including public engagement activity facilitated by the Wimborne Town of Culture project team

  • Composition and creative development

  • Recording and production costs

  • Travel and associated project expenses

how to apply

You may apply in written, audio, or video format.

Please submit:

1. Your Creative Portfolio

  • A current CV or artist biography

  • Links to 2–3 examples of your work (SoundCloud, Spotify, YouTube, Bandcamp, Vimeo, website, etc.)

2. Your Proposal

Choose one format:

  • Written proposal (maximum 800 words), or

  • Audio/video submission (maximum 5 minutes)

Please tell us:

  • Why this commission interests you

  • How your creative practice connects with storytelling, people, or place

  • Any initial thoughts on how you might approach creating work in dialogue with local communities

  • Any initial creative ideas or themes you would be interested in exploring

3. Availability

Please outline any significant scheduling constraints between July and October 2026.

4. Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

→ Please complete the monitoring form alongside your application

Applications should be sent to emma.kerr@wimborne.gov.uk by midnight on Monday 29 June 2026.

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by a panel including local residents, community representatives, cultural partners, and music sector professionals.

Shortlisted applicants may be invited to an informal conversation online or in person.



Gabby Hyman
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