2027 Course: Open Call
The Course
The London School of Muralism is thrilled to announce its 7th course, scheduled to run from January to May 2027, spanning twenty weeks.
This course will delve deep into the realm of self-initiated, artist-led community murals, prioritizing group creative expression over individual, unilateral or commercial endeavors.
Our emphasis will be on fostering creative collaboration—empowering participants to co-create mural concepts while guiding the artistic and production processes from inception to completion. Throughout the five-month duration, students will explore all facets of mural conception and execution, culminating in the creation of their participatory murals and contributions to a large-scale mural led by LSoM and Artmongers founder Patricio Forrester.
As part of the course, each student will undertake the production of their own individually led, participatory mural—a form of action research. They will integrate newfound knowledge as the course progresses, while also engaging in exploration and experimentation under the mentorship of school tutors.
This immersive educational journey promises a blend of enjoyable experiences, challenging scenarios, and in-depth exploration of the intricacies involved in crafting murals for public spaces.
The London School of Muralism is an independently run programme set up by Artmongers Action CIC and it will take place mainly at Goldsmiths Deptford Town Hall, in New Cross, South East London.
Fees and Scholarships:
There are 12 fee-paying places, offered at two rates:
Full fee: £2,100 (50% subsidised)
Concessionary fee: £1,250 (70% subsidised)
This course is supported by Arts Council England funding, so every fee covers only part of the true cost of delivery. That support helps keep the course accessible, so that money is never the reason someone can't take part.
Please choose the rate that best reflects your circumstances. We trust you to make that judgement, and will discuss it together at interview. We would like payment before the course starts in January, if you need to pay in installments talk to us.
We will also offer 4 full scholarships with fully subsidised tuition fees:
- 2 for Black Artists from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds
- 2 for women with lived experience of the Justice System and members of Clean Break
For all students, including scholarships, there are costs associated with the course - materials to draw and paint during sessions, materials for your own student mural project, and transport. Materials for the Artmongers Led projects are provided.
To Apply:
Please send us:
A short CV - brief summary, maximum 1 page.
6 images of your creative practice - either relevant to muralism or artworks that you are proud of.
500 word statement answering the following questions:
1. What is your creative ambition?
2. Tell us about your relevant experience
3. Why is now the right time for you to do this course?
4. Tell us which type of place (numbered below) you are applying for and some context about why.
1. Full Fee, 2. Concessionary Fee, 3. Scholarship: Black Artists, 4. Scholarship: Clean Break.
Deadline: Friday 23rd October 2026
Format: together in one .PDF, file size under 10MB
File name = ‘LSoM Application_Your Name’.
Send to London School of Muralism Coordinator LSoMCoordinator@gmail.com
Course Outline:
Term 1 Introduction to Muralism and Participation.
Four perspectives on participatory muralism via specific cases delivered by 4 different lead artists. From general ideas to workshop planning, delivering them and transforming received material from participants into one mural sketch.
Term 2 Student Led Participatory Mural.
Understanding context and participants capacities, plan and design 3 participatory workshops with focus on image making and scoping in response to each workshop's findings. Transform ideas and sketches into a paintable sketch. Preparation for signing off, negotiating and reworking.
Painting Logistics, risk assessment and production
Evaluating the results.
Term 3 Practical Apprenticeship Participatory Mural
1) HMP Downview Women’s Prison in Sutton. 2) Upper Marsh Tunnel in Waterloo.
All students will be required to attend for 7 consecutive full days in May, and will be able to choose one of the two projects.
Course Overview:
Introduction to Participatory muralism, urban landscape and architectural context.
Crucial differences between muralism and street art
Why participation is the way of the future art practice
Generating Ideas and Workshop Progression:
Developing creative concepts and sketches.
Planning workshops with a focus on copyleft processes.
Further exploration of innovative ideas and angles.
Ongoing development of sketches.
Turning a simple sketch into a fully developed paintable proposal
Scaling Up:
Understanding the Doodle Grid technique for enlarging images and adapting them to fit the final location and scale.
Risk Assessment, Logistics
In-depth exploration of risk assessment and method statements for safety.
Managing production logistics for effective mural creation.
Preparation and Collaboration:
Ensuring safety protocols and best practices when working at elevated heights.
Preparing the mural site for the artwork installation.
Securing a painting wall, including potential collaboration with fellow students.
Community Engagement and Public Support:
Artistic responsibility within a team. Identifying Participants and Stakeholders
Exploring community engagement methodologies
Navigating legal aspects such as council regulations, permissions, and risk assessments.
Participatory Process and Consensus Building:
Balancing the politics of public art.
Exploring ideas and themes for community engagement.
Evaluating Process
Design development processes, considering time constraints.
Execution and Implementation:
Budgeting for mural projects.
Creating realistic timelines.
Planning and estimating quantities of materials and equipment.
Addressing health and safety concerns, including safeguarding.
Building a supportive team.
On-Site Mural Painting Skills:
Scaling up artwork and integrating it with the chosen wall.
Constructing scaffolding towers.
Defining specific mural areas.
Managing volunteers and adapting to their skill levels.
Balancing rest times and project progression.
Recognizing when adjustments are needed and when to conclude work.
Varnishing and implementing anti-graffiti measures.