where the light begins festival 2026

Hope On Prescription CIC is seeking an artist, illustrator or designer to create the cover artwork for a community poetry anthology connected to Where the Light Begins, our Festival of Hope project celebrating creativity, connection and wellbeing across Dartford and the surrounding communities.

The anthology will bring together poems written by children and young people from local schools and community spaces, patients from Darent Valley Hospital, and adults participating in our Writing for Wellbeing workshops. Together, these voices explore themes of hope, light, resilience, community, imagination and new beginnings.

We would love to work with someone who feels drawn to the heart of the project and can create a cover that feels warm, thoughtful, accessible and full of possibility. We welcome a range of creative approaches, including illustration, graphic design, painting, photography, mixed media, digital art or hand-drawn work.

To design a bespoke wrap-around anthology cover, including:

• Front cover
• Spine
• Back cover
• Print-ready files suitable for publication

Where the Light Begins

Poems of Hope from Dartford and Beyond

Produced by the Community and Hope On Prescription CIC. 

The cover might reflect some of the following themes:

• Hope and new beginnings
• Light emerging from darkness
• People and community voices
• Community, belonging and connection
• Creativity, imagination and wellbeing
• Dartford and the surrounding area, where this feels natural
• The power of words, poetry and self-expression
• 
  

The anthology will showcase work created through schools programmes, youth projects, hospital engagement, community workshops and Writing for Wellbeing sessions, bringing together diverse voices connected by hope and creative expression.

Please note on the back cover we will require space for text and our funders logos. 

Commission Fee: £500 (Fixed Fee)

This commission is funded through a community arts project and represents a subsidised community arts commission rate. While the fee sits below standard commercial illustration and publishing rates, Hope On Prescription CIC is committed to recognising and valuing artists' time, creativity and professional contribution within the resources available to the project.

We are therefore seeking artists who feel a genuine connection to the themes and aims of the anthology and who would like to contribute to a meaningful community publication that celebrates local voices and stories.

The following breakdown provides a guide to the anticipated stages of work involved. 

Task

Consultation and planning

Concept development and research

Artwork creation

Spine, front and back cover design

Revisions and amendments

Print preparation and final file delivery

The commissioned artist will provide:

• One original wrap-around anthology cover design
• Front cover, spine and back cover artwork
• Up to two rounds of reasonable revisions
• High-resolution print-ready files
• Digital files in agreed formats (e.g. PDF, JPEG, PNG)
• Final artwork delivered by the agreed project deadline

The artist will retain copyright of the original artwork unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Hope On Prescription CIC will receive a non-exclusive licence to use the artwork in connection with:

• The anthology publication
• Festival and project promotion
• Social media and website content
• Press and publicity materials
• Future promotion of the anthology and project

The artist will be credited within the anthology and promotional materials wherever practical.

We are particularly keen to hear from:

• Local artists, illustrators and designers
• Students and emerging creatives
• Community artists
• Practising professionals who connect with the themes of hope, wellbeing and community

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and levels of experience.

Please send:

• A short introduction about yourself
• A few examples of your work (website, portfolio, social media links or PDF samples)
• Any initial thoughts about how you might approach the brief (visual boards welcomed) 

One artist will be selected and announced on: Friday 21st August 2026 

The Book Cover Creation Deadline:  Friday 11th September 2026 

Email: info@hopeonprescription.co.uk 

Please type: ‘Poetry Anthology Cover Interest’ within the Subject Line of your email.