National Call Out for Artists to Create a Signature Public Artwork

Published on 19 October 2021

Artists are invited to submit proposals to create a signature public artwork for the new Yarrila Place building in Coffs Harbour.

The formal process invites experienced public artists from across Australia to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in accordance with the Artist Brief. 

Coffs Harbour Gallery & Museum Curator, Joanna Besley, said “Yarrila Place will put Coffs on the map as a cultural destination and world class public art is fundamental to our approach, with a major public art commission for the central vertical wall that rises through the building and can be viewed from throughout its distinctive atrium.

“The curatorial approach for the signature public artwork aims to embrace the Indigenous and post-settlement history of the site while developing an engaging and captivating contemporary artwork with the theme of enlighten, reflecting the Gumbaynngirr meaning of Yarrila – to illuminate,” said Ms Besley.

The EOI is now open and closes Monday 1 November 2021. Artists’ submissions will be evaluated in early November 2021 with a view to notifying a shortlist of three artists shortly afterwards. Shortlisted artists will be paid a fee to develop concept designs for a final artist selection in January 2022.   

Artists will be selected based on their existing professional practice and their ability to complete the commission within the available timeframe and budget.

The signature public artwork project is being managed by Independent Arts Management alongside the Cultural and Civic Space Project Team.

Independent Arts Management have a strong track record in working strategically with artists, developers, designers and local government to activate spaces with high quality artistic outcomes.

The Expression of Interest document and brief is available on our Have Your Say page.  This details all the evaluation criteria and further background to assist artists with proposals.

Please note that all queries and responses should be sent to eoi@iamprojects.com.au.

Further Background for Artists

The Cultural and Civic Space Project presents an unparalleled opportunity to create a public artwork of significance and signal the arrival of an important new cultural space on the coast of NSW.

Council has developed an integrated strategy for public art in the public spaces of the building, ensuring that Yarrila Place is an inclusive space for the whole Coffs community.

This strategy has two distinct elements:

• A Signature Public Artwork, which reflects the cultural nature of the building with an artwork of the highest aesthetic and conceptual quality and provides a point of focus for the building’s interior; and
• The Track – a way-finding and architectural element that will ground visitors to the building in Gumbaynggirr country, with an associated Gumbaynggirr Art Trail featuring six artworks by artists from each of the Gumbaynggirr nation groups.