Art creatives across Coventry could be awarded an £18K grant to create a compelling art installation that brings to life the impact of being digitally connected.
Funded by Virgin Media O2, and in partnership with environmental charity, Hubbub, Coventry City Council is calling on the city’s art scene to design a mobile installation that tells the story and ambition of #CovConnects: building a digitally included city through sharing and reusing old technology.
The fund, which is now live and closes on 26 March 2026, asks artists to use creativity, storytelling and reused tech to showcase the positive impact of digital inclusion or the barriers created by exclusion.
This is part of the Council’s partnership with Virgin Media O2 to establish Coventry as the first device reuse city for social good and electronic waste (e-waste) reduction.
Cllr Richard Brown, Coventry City Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Resources, said:
This is a fantastic opportunity for talented local artists to create an installation in the city where their work will shine a light on the discussion of how technology, or lack of access to it, affects people and communities.
“We know how being connected to the digital world is needed for many everyday tasks in life and how it’s essential for people to enable them to learn, work and thrive.
Dana Haidan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Virgin Media O2, said:
“We’re proud to fund this exciting art installation as part of our pioneering partnership with Coventry City Council to scale up #CovConnects and drive the reuse of unwanted tech across the city – helping more people get online while reducing electronic waste.
“Coventry is a hub of creativity, and we’re looking forward to seeing entries from the city’s makers and creatives.”
The installation should encourage Coventry businesses to donate their end-of-life devices to the #CovConnects Device Bank, which puts tech into the hands of residents who need them, from Cov, for Cov.
Once creative(s) have been selected by a judging panel, and the installation has been designed and built, it will be showcased in the city throughout the summer.
Want to find out more and register your interest? Visit the fund page on the Hubbub website. For more information about Cov Connects and how business can donate devices, go to #CovConnects – Coventry City Council