First Nations Playable Public Art Sculpture Commission
Incinerator Gallery and Moonee Valley City Council invite expressions of interest from First Nations artists for a playable public art sculpture commission.
The artwork will be temporarily installed at Incinerator Gallery to coincide with a major exhibition in mid-2025, before being permanently relocated to the neighbouring Maribyrnong River in Aberfeldie, Victoria, on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country.
For over 40,000 years, the Maribyrnong River has been a site of significant cultural connection for the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung First Peoples. It is a place for learning, play, and discovery, fostering community connections to nature through the land and waterways.
In 2022, a major flood event impacted the local community, predominantly affecting residents aged 65 and over. The disruption caused by the flood continues to affect the health and well-being of the community. This public art commission seeks to acknowledge these impacts while celebrating the river as a long-standing place of renewal and connection.
Drawing on the diverse histories of the river, artists are encouraged to design a sculpture that explores themes of childhood, play, togetherness, and renewal. The design will reflect the river’s cultural and environmental significance, creating a public art sculpture that fosters inter-generational exchange. The artwork aims to bring together older and younger communities, strengthening bonds and celebrating the enduring significance of the Maribyrnong River.
Presented in partnership with Agency Projects.
Generously funded by Victoria State Government’s Emergency Recovery Hubs Grant and Moonee Valley City Council.
Application Process
Submitted EOIs will be checked for eligibility by MVCC staff. Eligible applications will move forward to Stage 1 for assessment.
Stage 1:
EOIs will be assessed by an independent First Nations Selection Panel comprising arts industry experts, including curators, academics, designers, and artists. The panel will provide a shortlist of three artists. MVCC staff will invite shortlisted artists to Stage 2.
Stage 2:
Shortlisted artists will receive $2,500 to develop their concept proposal, including concept drawings, confirmation of project partners (designers, fabricators, etc.), and a detailed budget to be presented to the panel during their interview.
Budget
Artist fee: $15,000 (including Superannuation)
Production fee: $85,000 (including fabrication, sub-contractors, materials)
Total: $100,000 (plus GST)
Timeline
Monday, 23 December 2024: EOI opens at 9am AEDT
Sunday, 2 February 2025: EOI closes at 11.00pm AEDT
Early February 2025: Shortlist announced. Shortlisted applicants receive project brief and $2,500 fee to develop their proposal
Monday, 10 March 2025: Selection panel announced
Friday, 14 March 2025: Interviews conducted (online)
Tuesday, 18 March 2025: Successful artist is announced and contracted
Early April 2025: Community engagement sessions (in person) with First Nations local engagement group and residents impacted by the Maribyrnong Flood
Late April 2025: Final proposal presentation
May – June 2025: Artwork production
July – August 2025: Artwork temporarily installed during major exhibition at Incinerator Gallery
February 2026: Artwork relocated to permanent place along the Maribyrnong River. Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country
How to apply
Artist portfolio: Minimum three and up to five relevant arts projects. Up to 10 images delivered in PDF format, plus a link to a media kit of downloadable images in web resolution
Artist CV: Up to three x A4 pages, delivered in PDF format
Written statement (maximum 600 words) outlining:
- Your connection to place. For example, your connection to Wurundjeri Country, the Maribyrnong River, or Moonee Valley
- Your initial approach to the commission and the potential materiality of the work
- The timeliness of this commission and the expected impact on your practice
- Note: No visual concepts are considered at Stage 1
Mandatory Questions:
- Do you have prior experience working in public art? Yes / No
- Do you have an existing relationship with a fabricator you would propose working with? Yes / No
*Please note these questions are intended to estimate the resources required to support your proposal. Prior public art experience is desirable but not required.
Email your application to:
MJ Flamiano
Public Art Officer, Incinerator Gallery – Moonee Valley City Council
Subject line: ‘EOI commission – your name’
Forward inquiries to:
MJ Flamiano, Public Art Officer, Incinerator Gallery – Moonee Valley City Council
Email: mflamiano@mvcc.vic.gov.au Phone: (03) 9243 8796
Jade Niklai, Head of Visual Art and Public Art, Incinerator Gallery – Moonee Valley City Council
Email: jniklai@mvcc.vic.gov.au Phone: (03) 9243 1742
Image credits:
1. View of the Maribyrnong River, 2024. Gianna Rizzo.
2. Wominjeka Welcoming Signage, Incinerator Gallery, 2024. Gianna Rizzo.
3. Incinerator Gallery, 2024. Gianna Rizzo.
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