About the Project
A lasting tribute is being created in Edinburgh to honour one of Scotland’s most distinguished writers, Muriel Spark. The memorial, which will be situated in East Princes Street Gardens, will celebrate her extraordinary literary legacy and lifelong connection to her birthplace, marking her rightful place alongside Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson as one of Edinburgh’s defining literary voices.
Whilst literary recognition is significant, the impact of commemorating Muriel Spark here creates additional resonance. It will be the first time that a woman has been commemorated in the Gardens in the 200 years of their existence.
This initiative is fully funded by Edinburgh philanthropists Morag and James Anderson, who have supported cultural initiatives across Edinburgh and Scotland for over 30 years. It has the full support of Penelope Jardine, Muriel Spark’s companion of 30 years. The project enjoys widespread backing from artists, writers, civic leaders, and cultural figures.
A robust governance structure has been established to oversee the development and administration of an open and fully transparent international competition for artists to submit expressions of interest for the Memorial.
The commissioners have committed to covering all costs, including creation, installation, and long-term maintenance.
The project Steering Group is grateful for the support and guidance of the Muriel Spark Society. The Society was founded in 2001, with Dame Muriel’s personal approval and blessing. She was particularly happy to know that this is based in Edinburgh – which she termed ‘her own city’.
The Society has been involved with the project since its inception, arranging the first meeting of the philanthropists, Morag and James Anderson with Penelope Jardine in Umbria in 2023.
Muriel Spark is not only the greatest Scottish novelist of the second half of the twentieth century, she is one of the world’s greatest writers.
Alan Taylor, The London Review of Books
Muriel Spark
Muriel Spark is arguably the most internationally impactful Scottish writer of the 20th Century. Her 22 novels have been translated into many languages and dramatisations of her work have been filmed and staged across the globe.
Spark left Edinburgh as a young woman, but the stamp she would leave on the city’s literature and identity is profound and eternal. Critical and popular interest in Spark remains as vital as ever. As we approach the twentieth anniversary of her death, it is the perfect time to create a lasting memorial to this icon of the first World City of Literature.
I can’t think of another novelist who’s ever united the heart, the soul and the intellect with such interrogatory merriment as she has, or seen so clearly the 20th century and the spinner of industrial fictions it became, and seen our lives across that century with such fused lyricism, liberation, merciless understanding and forbearance.
As she herself put it: “Art is an act of daring.
Ali Smith CBE
Competition
An open international competition will invite artists to propose designs for the memorial.
Shortlisted artists will receive funding to develop detailed submissions.
Outline of application process
An open competition has been launched in November 2025. The competition invites initial expressions of interest. Applications should be submitted via the Zealous platform by following this link “The Spirit of Spark” – organised by Juliet Dean on Zealous.
The competition will ensure maximum exposure for the commission and provide opportunity for a wider pool of artists to apply. From this, up to four artists will be short-listed and engaged, for an agreed fee, to work up concept designs. This gives the Judging Panel the opportunity to choose from a range of ideas.
The final selected artist will be invited (and funded) to produce a fully costed detailed design proposal which will be submitted for planning approval. Subject to approval, the artist will be awarded the commission to create the work.
How to apply
Artists are invited to apply online through the portal.
Deadline for submissions: 11 January 2026, 11.59pm (GMT).
Completing the application form
The online application will require artists to submit the following:
- A statement (maximum 500 words) on why this commission interests you, how you might approach the project and any initial ideas and starting points on a permanent work that:
- Celebrates the life and work of Muriel Spark
- Captures Spark’s spirit and character
- Sits confidently within East Princes Street Gardens
- Is durable and robust
- If you have no prior experience in creating permanent work for public spaces, then please provide a paragraph demonstrating you understand the particular challenges of making lasting work in a public setting.
- Documentation of your work: up to 10 images of work of which at least 5 are of work already produced.
- CV (maximum 750 words)
- A statement about your practice (maximum 100 words)
What image format should be used
Images should be high quality jpegs (recommended size 2MB and 300 dpi). Please avoid using multiple images per image file.
Up to five minutes of video may be submitted or if you are considering a mix, then every 30 seconds of video equates to the value of one jpeg.
Production of a concept idea and registration of interest
Given that this initial stage is unpaid, we do not expect artists to produce concept proposals. Rather we would like insight into what excites you about this commission and how you might approach the project, together with any initial ideas and starting points.
We would also like to see that you have either experience of or an understanding of working in the public space creating site specific and permanent work.
Completing the online application
Applications can be commenced and saved meaning you can commence the application and come back to it. Just make sure you complete and submit by 11.59pm (GMT) on Sunday 11th January 2026.
Eligibility
Artists working in any discipline with at least three years’ experience as a working artist (as evidenced by a professional CV) are welcome to apply.
Proposed Location
The City of Edinburgh Council has given outline approval for the Memorial to be situated south of the railway line in East Princes Street Gardens.
It is a quiet and contemplative space that will be enjoyed by readers, citizens, and visitors to the capital — a place to celebrate the enduring voice of Muriel Spark, the poet and dreamer who began at James Gillespie’s School and went on to illuminate the world.
As one of Scotland’s most distinguished authors, Spark stands alongside Robert Louis Stevenson and Sir Walter Scott in the pantheon of national literary figures. A memorial in Edinburgh — her birthplace and the setting for some of her most celebrated work — will affirm her status as an icon of Scottish cultural heritage.
Positioned within this historic landscape, the monument will:
- Celebrate one of Scotland’s foremost literary voices.
- Create a contemplative space for readers, visitors, and residents alike.
- Redress the historic absence of women commemorated in the Gardens’ 200-year history.
Governance
A robust governance structure has been established to ensure transparency and excellence.
A Steering Group oversees delivery.
The Steering Group is made up of the Chair, Architect Malcolm Fraser of Fraser/Livingston Architects, Commissioner, Morag Anderson, Commission Manager, Juliet Dean of PACE, Marketing & Comms and Community Champion, Ann Park, and Derek Ferrier, consultant and formerly Managing Partner at Hardies.
An Advisory Panel provides cultural and artistic insight.
The Advisory Group comprises recognised experts in the fields of literature and visual arts. Advisors are Scotland’s Makar from 2016 to 2021, Professor Jackie Kay CBE, writers Ali Smith CBE and Sir Ian Rankin, Imogen Gibbon, Head of Portraiture & Photography & Chief Curator, National Galleries of Scotland, Eric Dickson, Chair of the Muriel Spark Society and journalist and writer, Alan Taylor.
An Independent Judging Panel will select the final design.
The Judging Panel comprises: Chair, Juliet Dean, Muriel Spark’s companion, sculptor Penelope Jardine, Morag Anderson, Jackie Kay, Malcolm Fraser, Curator and Creative Producer & Founder of Design Exhibition Scotland, Susanna Beaumont and Artist, Writer and Curator, Celeste Macleod-Brown.
FAQs
Why Muriel Spark?
Muriel Spark is arguably the most internationally impactful Scottish writer of the 20th Century. Her 22 novels have been translated into many languages and dramatisations of her work have been filmed and staged across the globe.
Spark left Edinburgh as a young woman, but the stamp she would leave on the city’s literature and identity is profound and eternal. Critical and popular interest in Spark remains as vital as ever. As we approach the twentieth anniversary of her death, it is the perfect time to create a lasting memorial to this icon of the first World City of Literature.
What is the purpose of the project?
The project will create and install a memorial to Dame Muriel Spark. This important cultural initiative seeks to commemorate Dame Muriel’s remarkable life and work through a public artwork in a location befitting her literary stature and enduring connection to Edinburgh.
Where will the memorial be situated?
Following a process of consultation and discussion, the Culture and Communities Committee of the City of Edinburgh Council, has given outline approval for the Memorial to be situated in East Princes Street Gardens.
Why Princes Street Gardens?
Princes Street Gardens has been selected for historical significance, visibility, and aesthetic appeal. The gardens are a literary and cultural hub, already home to monuments for Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson and other Scottish icons. Placing Spark’s memorial here affirms her place among Scotland’s literary greats and ensures visibility to locals and visitors alike.
Whilst the choice of Gardens as the pinnacle of literary recognition is significant, the impact of commemorating Muriel Spark here creates additional resonance. It will be the first time that a woman has been commemorated in the Gardens in the 200 years of their existence.
How will the project be funded?
The project is being fully funded by long-established Edinburgh philanthropists, Morag and James Anderson who have a 30+ year track record of private philanthropy for a diverse range of cultural projects in the capital.
How will the memorial be maintained in the future?
The maintenance of the artwork will be funded for a minimum of 25 years which complies with the City of Edinburgh Council Public Art Policy guidelines.