Commissions

Need something more bespoke?

We work with a wide pool of artists to create bespoke commissions for events, museums, schools, libraries and community projects. We specialise in puppetry, but we have also created installations, exhibitions and interactive art. Get in touch to discuss what you need! Scroll down below to see some of the commissions created over the years.

Why come to Moving Parts for an artistic commission?

45+ combined years of delivery experienced by our production team
Award-winning arts development charity
Bespoke, tailored service to suit every brief
A trusted relationship with a wide range of talented artists UK-wide
A founding ethos of inclusivity, access and supporting grassroots arts
Participation and community working infused into artistic creation (optional)
Specialisms in puppetry, parade making, theatre making, performances, walkabout acts, installations, kinetic art
High-quality, unique, bold, impactful and colourful

IMMORTELLES, 2026

Commissioned by Afterlives Festival and Newcastle Libraries Service.

We worked with three artists and libraries in Newcastle, Essex and Devon to produce three Immortelles for Afterlives Festival 2026. The festival uses art, creativity and community to talk positively about death. Each artwork sat inside a 1.5 metre-wide dome and infused participant creations from workshops with a professional artist's vision.

What is an Immortelle? In Victorian times, people placed beautiful glass domes on graves, filled with precious objects, symbols and treasures to honour those they had lost.

Silent Stories - Judith Hope Puppet Maker, Redbridge Library, Essex (whale)

Anise the Phoenix - Chloe Rodham, Newcastle City Library (phoenix)

Psyche - Sarah Vigars, Exeter Library (butterflies)

The three commissions have been really incredible, I have most looked forward to arriving on the site just to see them. They have also had excellent and really deep engagement

– Afterlives Festival on 'Immortelles', 2026

starmongers, 2025

Commissioned by Enchanted City Festival and Newcastle City Council.

We worked with artist Judith Hope Puppet Maker to produce Starmongers for the debut Enchanted City Festival on Northumbria University campus.

Encounter illuminated astronomers charting imaginary skies. Ethereal cosmic characters, they are guardians of the stars, reading the night sky and conveying messages from the constellations. Seated in ramshackle chairs, high above their audience, they pedal through the sky, propelled by rods and mechanisms attached to the wheels. A unique roaming puppet act, with shadow puppetry experience included.

Available for booking.

"MAGICAL, I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT! MY DAUGHTER HAD TO COME BACK THREE TIMES TO SEND MORE WISHES UP TO THE STARMONGERS!"

– Audience member, Enchanted City 2025

TWO FOR JOY, 2025

Commissioned by Newcastle City Council.

We worked with The Lantern Yard to produce 'Two for Joy' for the Howaymanay NYE celebrations on Newcastle Quayside.

A swish and a swoop flies past your ear - hide all of your sparkly belongings from these two inquisitive magpies! A magical pair of puppet lanterns that soar around the crowd. Perfect for nighttime events and for all ages.

Available for booking.

“gorgeous work - added something completely unique to the nye celebrations!”

– Event booker, 2025

A SEAHORSE FOR NEWCASTLE, 2025

Commissioned by Great North Museum: Hancock.

We worked with Chloe Rodham to produce a huge willow seahorse (the symbol of Newcastle) to celebrate The Late Shows 2025 and The Herds project, thanks to support from The Art Fund. Chloe designed and created the central structure, and then 150 participants made macrame ring scales to cover the seahorse.

After being displayed for a year as part of the Natural World exhibit, the seahorse now sits in the Museum gardens. Plants will be allowed to grow over the structure, creating a living sculpture.

MONSTER MARKET, 2025

Commissioned by Newcastle City Council.

We worked with producer Lizzie West and artists Georgia Hill, Saya Naruse, Willian Steele and Jo Feijó to create Monster Market as part of Summer in the Square in Byker, Newcastle.

Visitors were given 'monster money' which they could 'spend' at any of the market stalls. The stalls were exchanging plants, clothes, food, books and art for the tokens - all run by monster puppets!

CARDBOARD ROAD, 2024

Commissioned by Newcastle City Council.

We worked with Chloe Rodham to produce Cardboard Road - a miniature village version of Shields Road in Byker. Visitors could make their own people, trees and street furniture to add to the installation. The display included shops and landmarks from the past, the present, but also fantastical shops for the future, dreamed up by children at Hotspur Primary School and Newcastle Young Carers. As part of the Summer in the Square programme.

For a later event on the square, we used Cardboard Road as a set for a puppet show about Byker folklore and urban legends.

BYKER PUPPET TRAIL, 2024

Commissioned by Newcastle City Council.

We worked with 6 artists - Georgia Hill, Chloe Rodham, Jo Feijó, Callum Bruce, Saya Naruse and William Steele - to produce a puppet trail on Shields Road. 10 local businesses took part and each puppet was inspired by its corresponding shop. The trail ran for two weeks as part of the Summer on the Square programme.

THE RED KITE, 2024

Commissioned by Gateshead Council / Gateshead Live.

To celebrate 20 years of the red kite being reintroduced into Gateshead, we worked with artists Chloe Rodham and William Steele to produce a flapping, walkabout puppet. The Red Kite performed during the Council's programme of celebratory events at the Land of Oak and Iron.

"The children couldn't believe their eyes when they saw a giant blue elephant stomping around the festival!! Thank you to Moving Parts Arts for bringing this to life!"

– Hartlepool Waterfront Festival

delilah the elephant, 2022

Commissioned by Hartlepool Town Council / Hartlepool Waterfront Festival.

Created to celebrate 100 years since the famous Elephant Rock collapsed into the sea off the Hartlepool Headland. We worked with artist Jo Feijó to produce Delilah the Elephant. After initial performances in Hartlepool, Deliliah has since continued performing around the North East and wider UK to thousands of audiences.

Available for booking.