This EOI was due for submission by 28 July 2023, however if you are interested in future opportunities, please join our Artist Directory!
Project Background
The City of Wyndham Arts & Culture team have engaged Artbox as a Public Art Consultant to manage the concept, design and delivery of multiple public art commissions by First Nations artists at four new Community Centres within Wyndham City during 2023-24.
Artbox is a creative consultancy team based in Melbourne working at the intersection of art, technology and placemaking. This project is led by Curator Rosemary Forde and Associate Curator Edwina Green (Trawlwoolway).
What we're looking for
We're inviting First Nations artists whose practice currently does, or can, respond to the themes and opportunities listed below, to submit an EOI. We are accepting EOIs from First Peoples artists nationwide.
Public art experience is not essential, Artbox will offer support through the design, production and implementation of the artworks.
Curatorial Framework
Wyndham City and Artbox are both committed to public art that is accessible, relevant, and community focused. Wyndham City has formally adopted the Wyndham Public Art Plan 2022-2032 which aims to support the development of an ambitious world class public art program and collection for the coming decade: You can access more information on Wyndham's Public Art Plan.
In response to Wyndham's Public Art Plan, this program of commissioned artworks will follow Wyndham City’s key curatorial theme of “Foregrounding”: “Foregrounding is an approach that gives priority to Aboriginal knowing and being, to work with place, story, and connection. To foreground is to bring attention to and form meaning around. In this sense, we wish to approach our program and commissions with a deep understanding of place and connection formed with involvement and collaboration with Aboriginal community members, artists and curators.”
Each of the Community Centres provide facilities that service the community including maternal health clinics, kindergartens, workshop and event spaces, and a library. Centres Koomail Tardy and Bembit Bag-rook opened in early 2023 and are already fully operational. New Centres at Black Forest Road South and Truganina South are currently under construction for opening dates in early-mid 2024. The Centres are located on Bunurong and Wadawurrung Country.
The overarching themes for artworks will reflect the identity and purpose of the Community Centres as important places of gathering for people from diverse backgrounds and different generations. Artworks will foremost be warm and welcoming, and created with families and diverse experience in mind. Artist are invited to respond to themes including:
- Welcoming and Learning
- Inclusion and Community
- Maternal, Familial, Connection
- Childhood and Play
- Care and Respect
- Healing and Nature
Artwork opportunities
A range of opportunities in different media exist across the centres, including:
- painted murals and printed wall designs on interior and exterior walls
- suspended works that may be textile or small-scale sculptural pieces
- outdoor sculpture works
Opportunities to engage with Wadawurrung and Bunurong Traditional Owners groups will be available to artists during the concept development stage.
Timeline for artwork commissions
July – October 2023: Conceptual development and preliminary design
November 2023 – January 2024: Design finalisation, production and installation
The EOI Process
Interested artists should submit an expression of interest with a short bio or CV, and up to 10 images saved as a PDF and/or links to online examples of their work.
Link to submission page:
