Sharp Street Mural Project - Expression of Interest

Wyndham City Council is inviting expressions of interest from artists who live, work in or have a strong connection to Wyndham to have their artwork permanently displayed at 2 Sharp Street, Hoppers Crossing.

Council’s Arts team have engagement in a partnership with Youth Services Paradox FReeZA program to develop the background and themes for a new public art commission for the Sharp Street external walls. 

Emerging artists, First peoples and multicultural communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

• The proposed artwork will be installed on the external mural area, consisting of a 25m long wall which drops from approx. 4.5m high on the left to approx. 2.3m on the right, just under halfway in front of the residential side of the building (see appendix below for images.)
• The residential entry and roller door can be included in the designs, but it is not recommended that the existing black plastic wall covering along the top of the right-hand wall is included.
• To enhance civic pride and community connection to the area.
• Work with Youth Services Paradox FReeZA crew for input into the development of a highly appealing, visually engaging new artwork which represents and engages with all ages of the diverse local community.
• To showcase local artists.
• To align with Council’s 10 Year Public Art Plan, which contains the principles, curatorial themes, strategic priorities, and pillars of approach that form the basis for all of Council’s public art commissions.

A project working group will shortlist three artists for initial designs with a $1000 payment for each artist. There is an appointed artist’s fee for the final selected artwork design and install of $30,000. 

• Submissions should add positively to the public space of the Sharp Street stores and community.
• Artists should consider the history, community, and unique qualities of the local area.
• The artwork will need to fit the themes of the brief and include input from workshops with Youth Services Paradox FReeZA program.

• Meeting project eligibility requirements
• Alignment with project objectives
• Previous projects of relevance and significance
• Demonstration of capacity for delivery of the proposed work in the proposed timeframe

• Provide initial concept, or concepts for approval by Wyndham City Council and the project working group.
• Develop artwork through workshops with Youth Services Paradox FReeZA program.
• Provide final artwork /designs based on material specifications.
• Liaise with Council on key project and site requirements and concept development.

• Work collaboratively with Council and contractor on install if required Artist Public Liability ($20,000,000) and Professional Indemnity ($5,000,000) insurance – condition of acceptance
• Job Safety Analysis (JSA) or Safe Working Method (SWMS) document provided by Artist/contractor for installation
• Conduct risk and OH&S planning for installation
• Defect guarantee and maintenance manual provided by Artist/contractor post- installation
• The artwork will need to be completed and handed over by 30 June 2026

Only shortlisted artists will respond to this project’s brief, but the brief is available here to help with any further information or questions. 

Download the Sharp Street Mural Project Shortlisted Artist Brief.

The artist brief has been developed in response to Wyndham City's Public Art Plan 2022-2032. 

Who can apply?

Joint applications may be submitted from partnerships or collectives, however there will only be one artist fee available for each individual artist or collective per submission. To be selected for this site the Artist or Collective must:

• Live or work in, or have a connection to, Wyndham City.
• Hold a valid ABN and have work rights for Australia
• Be able and willing to complete the artwork before 30 June 2026.
• Be able or willing to hold a valid Working With Children Check and comply with Child Safe Standards.
• Hold or be willing to hold valid Public Liability (to the value of $20,000,000 coverage) and Professional Indemnity (to the value of $5,000,000 coverage) insurance certificates of currency. These are available through NAVA Premium Plus artist membership packages.
• Hold or be willing to hold licences for any equipment and plant at their own convenience and cost.

Students may apply for the project. However, the proposed activity must not be associated with the completion of a course of study.
Emerging artists, First Peoples and multicultural communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

How are the EOIs assessed in terms of making a shortlist of three (3x) Artists/Collectives?

The EOI’s will be assessed by a panel of Wyndham City Council representatives and external stakeholders.

They will be assessed in terms of:

• The Artist or Collective’s previous body of work in relation to how it might apply to the project.
• The Artist or Collective’s ability to understand and interpret artistic themes and cultural knowledge based on previous relevant experience, knowledge or responses provided.
• Perceived ability to communicate ideas effectively and liaise with project stakeholders.
• Perceived ability to work within the timelines of the project.

Do I need experience as an artist to submit an EOI?

Having a certain level of experience is not a pre-requisite for submitting an EOI, however, the artists shortlisted will be perceived as capable of developing a design to a high standard and required format, including further design development with feedback, and subcontracting and liaison with an installation company if/as required to ensure that the design is accurately represented in the final mural.

Do I need experience delivering workshops?

Ideally, yes, although support will be made available to the appointed artist by the Arts team for planning and execution of any workshop delivery.

What do I need to submit for the EOI?

The Artist or Collective will need to submit a short bio and up to three (3x) examples of their work in accepted image formats: gif, jpg, png, tif, pdf. No specific resolution is required, however the max upload size is 10mb and successful applicant may be required to provide additional visual information or details upon request.

• Photographs and other visual art forms can be submitted.
• Abstract artwork will be considered
• Video applications will not be accepted.
• Hard copies of applications may not be submitted. Applications will need to be submitted via the online portal.
• Wyndham City Council commits to repairing any damaged artwork for the duration of the artwork’s lifespan.

Do I / can I respond to the artist brief as part of my EOI submission?

No. The EOI submission is to assess artists who might be best suited to this project. The brief is made available to view in order to give interested artists/collectives an understanding of the project including timelines, levels of commitment and other information.

Will I be painting the mural myself?

Not necessarily. Installation could be completed by a separate artist/subcontracted supplier by the appointed artist. The artist would need to liaise with the installation team on the translation of the work from design to installation.

Who owns copyright of the final artwork?

The ownership and title of the actual physical mural artwork will pass from the Artist to Council at the date the mural is installed and handover of the artwork to Council is complete. The mural artwork will and be maintained and cared for as part of Council’s growing public art collection. However, the copyright and any intellectual or cultural property contained in the artwork itself remains with the artist.

How long is the licensing of the work and is it an exclusive license?

The artwork will be licensed from the artist by Council, this will be finalised in a written agreement with the artist. The licence will be an exclusive, perpetual and royalty-free licence for the artwork to be exhibited at the site of the mural and online on Council’s website and included as part of Council’s public artwork database on Victorian Collections digital archive. Any use outside promotional or educational material will require the artists express written permission.

Will my information and artwork be kept confidential and private?

Yes. At Council we understand the need for individual privacy. Nothing that you submit will be made available to the general public without your express permission and prior written agreement.

Will the shortlisted artists be obligated to participate in media calls and other initiatives to promote the project/mural?

As this is a public mural project, it is expected that there will be a small amount of press promotion surrounding the project. The final selected artist will be expected to participate in these opportunities to discuss and further platform their work, but it can be discussed with Council if they prefer to appoint a representative or spokesperson for this if they are not comfortable with this process.

What are the fees for this project?

Artists will receive an artist fee for the successful work submitted and installed at the site. Three shortlisted artists will receive a $1,000 design fee. The final appointed artist will receive $30,000 design, install & licensing fee.

How will my artwork be acknowledged at the site?

An attribution information plaque noting the artist and the work will be displayed on site. The images of the artwork may be used to promote the artist’s work and the artist will be acknowledged in relevant marketing or promotional material specific to this project.

If successful, can I share images of my installed artwork?

Yes, you can share images of your artwork once the final artwork has been installed and approved by Council.

Will my work be cropped?

Your artwork may be cropped to allow for successful installation – Council will work with the final artist to communicate their design for the mural installation.

Is there anything that I can’t include in my artwork?

The artwork must not:

• Be offensive to the general public
• Condone or provoke anti-social behaviour
• Promote or relate to alcohol or gambling
• Use sexualised images or gender objectification
• Portray images or events that may cause distress to children
• Be used to promote a political party, parties or a political cause
• Use offensive language
• Demean any person or group on the basis of ethnicity, nationality, race, gender, age, sexual preference, religion or mental or physical disability or
• Disparage or diminish the reputation of Wyndham City Council
• Include any commercial content
• Resemble, be capable of confusion with, or obstruct directional or informational signs or otherwise compromise wayfinding in any way
• Have large areas of block colour (reduces risk of graffiti)
• Include logos, overt branding or QR codes
• Appear to look like graffiti

What support is available for artists with disabilities?

Applicants with disabilities can contact Arts Access Victoria (AAV) for application support at info@artsaccess.com.au or phone (03) 9699 8299.

Who can I contact if I have any specific questions not covered in this document?

Please contact:
Roland Henry
Public Art & Collections Officer, Wyndham City Council
roland.henry@wyndham.vic.gov.au