Expression of Interest: First Nations Public Art, John Street Pocket Garden

About this call

Camden Council in New South Wales, Australia, is seeking Expressions of Interest from First Nations artists and artist teams to create a public artwork for the proposed John Street Pocket Garden in Camden Town Centre, part of the John Street Public Domain Upgrade and Activation Project. Guided by the theme Connecting with Country, artists respond to the site's cultural significance, local ecology, waterways, cultural histories, language, seasonal knowledge and native landscape. The artwork may take forms including sculpture, storytelling elements, integrated seating, mosaics or paving, and need not be a standalone object. Selection runs in two stages: the EOI asks about practice, experience, cultural connection and approach, with no concept design; up to four shortlisted artists or teams then prepare a paid concept proposal, and one may be commissioned with a budget of up to AUD 50,000 excluding GST. The selected artist also facilitates a workshop with a local school.

Who can apply

• Australia only
• Medium: Sculpture / Installation / Mixed Media
• Entry fee: See official site
• Open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists living anywhere in Australia, individually or as an artist team; emerging, mid-career and established artists may apply. A connection to Camden, Macarthur or Western Sydney may be considered but is not required. Applicants should demonstrate experience in public art, cultural projects, sculpture, installation, design, community engagement or a related practice, and an understanding of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property principles. Apply through SmartyGrants: contact details, artist biography or collective profile, connection to the site, proposed methodology including a children's engagement workshop (each up to 500 words), up to 5 examples of previous work, and two referees. Do not submit a concept design at the EOI stage. Shortlisted artists are notified 30 November 2026, with a briefing and site visit on 7 December 2026; the concept fee is paid after presenting the concept and invoicing. Concept development runs December 2026 to January 2027 and fabrication is to be completed by 30 April 2027. The commission budget covers artist fees, design, meetings, engagement including the school workshop, fabrication, delivery, travel and materials; installation and landscaping are delivered by the broader John Street construction project. The artist must hold a current Working with Children Check before any school-based activities, and must obtain consent from Traditional Owners and cultural knowledge holders for any cultural knowledge, stories, language or imagery used (Council can help make the connection). The form asks for an Australian phone number. The page does not state an application fee.