Liverpool ONE is once again running its much-loved piano festival ‘Tickle the Ivories’ this summer, and we’re inviting artists to design one of 6 pianos which will be played in prominent locations on the estate. This year’s theme is Memories & Music.

Music can help people connect to their past, stirring up the joy of nostalgic memories. As people age, their memory for music and playing instruments often stays strong even as other memories fade.

Whether it be memories of playing our street pianos at Liverpool ONE, the history of music in the city, OR a broader idea of memories & music, now is your chance to interpret this theme to create a bold piano design.

We are looking for 5 piano designs based on this year’s theme.

Additionally, we’d also like to have one special piano dedicated to longstanding ‘Tickle the Ivories’ performer Gerry Jones, who sadly passed away earlier this year. If you would like to submit a design proposal for this one commemorative piano, we’d love for it to include nods to Gerry. His interests included the Tickle the Ivories pianos, the accordion, and appearing at folk festivals all over Europe. He was a huge cheerleader for the city, giving out golden Liver Bird badges, writing new verses to “In my Liverpool home”, and even bringing his own Liver Bird template to coffee shops so that they could make him a “Liverccino”. If your design is chosen, we’d then advise on where to leave a space clear for any commemorative text.

Deadline for submissions is Wednesday 10 June 2026.