Creative Call Out – Dockside Diaspora: Uncovering Grimsby’s Jewish Heritage

Background to the Project

Built in 1885, the Sir Moses Montefiore Memorial Synagogue is the only remaining purpose-built Synagogue in Lincolnshire and one of few of this period in the country to survive so intact. Together with its accompanying bath house this synagogue reflects the former significance of Grimsby’s Jewish community and the town’s prominence in the movement of Jews from Eastern Europe to Britain and America. In the late 19th century Grimsby was the third largest centre (after London and Hull) for Jewish immigration, with over 100,000 landing here in the peak years between 1881 and 1914.

Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and administered by Create North East Lincolnshire, Dockside Diaspora is a new project designed to uncover and showcase Grimsby’s Jewish heritage. In partnership with Grimsby Hebrew Congregation at Sir Moses Montefiore Synagogue, the project will research Jewish individuals and families who came to Grimsby fleeing persecution from Russia and eastern Europe. The exhibition will focus on how they came here and their life and contribution to Grimsby. This research will feed into an exhibition which will be made co-collaboratively with community partners and will appear at locations across NE Lincolnshire before becoming a permanent display at the synagogue.

This project is running alongside a series of repair works which are currently underway at the synagogue.

Creative Commission

We are looking for an artist to produce creative works to feature as part of our exhibition. We would like these works to complement the research we have collected and reflect the information, stories and themes of Grimsby’s Jewish community. Please be aware this exhibition including research is likely to cover topics of a sensitive nature such as religious persecution and therefore must be handled with sensitivity and respect by the successful artist.

All creative works produced for the project must have rights for reproduction for the exhibition – copyright will remain with the artist. Works must be available in different formats.

A maximum of £3,000 is available for this commission. Please note, this fee is inclusive of VAT and all other artists fees.

How to apply

To apply, you must be a creative living or working in NE Lincolnshire.

Please send a covering letter which highlights your interest in the project and suitability for the position including your costings for the work with your C.V. to htladmin@heritagelincolnshire.org  and 3 examples of similar or relevant work by 27 April at 12pm.

Please note - creative works need to be completed by 6 July to ensure exhibition completion by 31 August 2026.