How should I share my story?
You must submit your story via the online form. All styles and approaches are considered. It can be up to 500 words and it must comply with the law and not incite people to contravene the law.
Your story must not:
- Refer to or portray identifiable members of the public or their identifiable possessions.
- Refer to or portray people with a public profile.
- Unfairly portray or refer to people in an adverse or offensive way.
- Cause fear of distress.
- Describe or encourage unsafe practices.
- Offend the general travelling public or ethnic, religious or other major groups.
- Offend on the grounds of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
- Depict people as sex objects, or depict or refer to indecency or obscenity.
- Condone or provoke violence or anti-social behaviour.
-
Campaign politically, calling for the support of a particular view point, policy, action, or attack a member or policies of any legislative, central or local government authority.
Can you give an example of a story?
During a safety test on a train on the Rotterdam Metro, which was empty of passengers, it overran the stop blocks at a station located on an elevated metro line. A carriage, at risk of falling into the water beneath, was ‘saved’ by a ten metre high public art sculpture of a whale’s tail, designed by architect Maarten Struijs in 2002. It elegantly prevented its fall. Only the driver was on board when this happened, and he freed himself without injury. Images of this implausible incident were shared widely in the media, with the sculpture later referred to by some news outlets as ‘Saved by a Whale's Tail’.
What is the selection process?
Submissions will be reviewed by a judging panel, including the artist with New Contemporaries and Art on the Underground.
How will I know if I’ve been selected?
You will be notified by July 2025 if your story has been successful.
Why was my story unsuccessful?
We expect to receive a large number of high quality submissions, so please do not be disheartened if you were not selected. Unfortunately we can not provide feedback due to the volume of submissions expected.
Who are Art on the Underground?
Art on the Underground invites artists to create projects for London’s Underground that are seen by millions of people each day, changing the way people experience their city. Incorporating a range of artistic media - from painting, installation, sculpture, digital and performance, to prints and custom Tube map covers - the programme produces critically acclaimed projects that are accessible to all, and which draw together London’s diverse communities. Since its inception, Art on the Underground has presented commissions by UK-based and international artists including Jeremy Deller, Yayoi Kusama, Mark Wallinger, and Tania Bruguera, allowing the programme to remain at the forefront of contemporary debate on how art can shape public space.
Who are New Contemporaries?
Founded in 1949 by artists and for artists, New Contemporaries is committed to fostering an environment where emerging and early-career artists are empowered to shape their own futures. By prioritising artist-led initiatives, we aim to disrupt traditional hierarchies and challenge the status quo.
