To celebrate International Women’s Day 2022, we (the City of Greater Geelong) are excited to launch a new women-only Street Art commission project.
Women artists working across a diverse range of wall-based media are warmly invited to apply through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process. Artists from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nations artists, LGBTQIA+ artists, artists with disability and artists from diverse backgrounds are actively encouraged to apply.
Overview
This commission program is designed to provide opportunities for and advance profile for women artists who wish to create new works within the Geelong CBD, adding to the rich Street Art program within the our Outdoor Art & Heritage Collection.
The total value of this project is $100,000, which will cover the commissioning of works across a range of potential media including but not limited to paint, paste up, and installation works. Temporary interventions and activations may also be considered.
Shortlisted artists will be invited to respond to sites according to the corresponding budget ranges.
- Works under $5000
- Works $5000 – $10,000
- Works $10,000 – $20,000
The final commissioned works will respond to key sites across Geelong’s Central Business District (CBD).
Selection process
- Stage 1: EOIs submitted
- Stage 2: Shortlisted artists to attend site briefing and submit up to 3 design proposals in response to identified sites
- Stage 3: Submissions received, and successful artists selected for commissioning.
Shortlisted artists will be invited to respond to a range of sites within Geelong’s CBD with proposals that exemplify contemporary public art practice. We are looking to feature works that are highly engaging with a level of sophistication that demonstrates clear contemporary artistic intent.
Submissions from artists that will extend their professional practice are highly encouraged.
Shortlisted artists may propose works that are conceptual and/or respond to Geelong’s social, cultural, or environmental profile. They may be figurative or non-representational, abstract or text based.
Site
Geelong’s Little Malop Street laneway precinct is a lively commercial zone rich with coffee shops, artists and designers, restaurants and wine bars, and with a range of possible Street Art locations. There is a second precinct under consideration for this project, in Little Ryrie Street, a developing space with a range of potential sites.
Our staff will lead shortlisted artists on a tour of these precincts to support the development phase of artist proposals. Our staff will negotiate wall space with the relevant stakeholders. A selection panel will curate the program and coordinate matching artists with their preferred sites.
Artists fees
No fee will be payable to artists submitting on EOI.
Shortlisted artists will receive a fee of $500 + GST, payable upon submission of full-colour concept designs. Technical drawings and other related material are not required at this stage.
Shortlisted artists will be invited to respond to sites according to the corresponding budget ranges. Sites will vary in scale and complexity and artists should consider budgets accordingly.
- Works under $5000
- Works $5000 – $10,000
- Works $10,000 – $20,000
Note that this budget should be inclusive of all costs associated with design and fabrication including materials, freight, site preparation, installation and any equipment necessary to complete the project.
We will assist with any arrangements requiring permits, approvals such as road closures or stakeholder liaison.
Commissioned artists are required to have Public Liability Insurance ($10,000,000) and become a preferred supplier of Council for payment purposes. Administrative assistance will be available to artists if required.
International Women’s Day 2022
The artworks resulting from the Street Art Commission Project will be launched during the week leading up to International Women’s Day.
There may be opportunities for commissioned artists to celebrate their work through community engagement such as artists talks, mentoring of emerging/young artists, school visits or public workshops for which an additional fee will be paid.
Key dates
- EOI release: Thursday 30 September 2021
- EOI closes: 9:00am on Thursday 28 October 2021
- Artists shortlisted: Friday 5 November 2021
- *Artist site briefing: Friday 12 November 2021
- Designs due: by 9:00am on Thursday 9 December 2021
- Successful artists notified: Friday 21 January 2021
- *Installation: 14 February to 11 March 2022
- International Women’s Day 2022: Tuesday 8 March 2022
*artists must be available to attend site in Geelong’s CBD on these dates
**attendance subject to COVID-19 restrictions as decreed by the Department of Health and Human Services Victoria. Alternatives can be arranged should restrictions prevent in-person attendance.
EOI submissions
Artists wishing to be considered for this project should submit an EOI including:
- Professional Bio/Artist statement (500 words) and CV (2 pages)
- Link to online portfolio of existing work or submit images of at least 3 works completed in the public realm (emerging artists who have not completed work in the public realm may also submit images of studio works)
- Confirmation of availability to attend site on the key dates (see above); please do not send design proposals at this stage.
Submit your EOI to the Public Art Officer at [email protected] by 9:00am on Thursday 28 October 2021.
Shortlisted artists will be notified by Friday 5 November 2021.
