Project Outline
The Portarlington Senior Citizens Club and the Portarlington Community Association, in partnership with the City of Greater Geelong, is seeking to commission a suitably experienced artist to paint an original artwork in Portarlington.
The budget for this commission is $8000.00 (inc GST).
Overview
Portarlington has recently supported a series of street art murals throughout the region and would like to build upon the success of these works. This prominent wall faces onto a large central car park, with good views from the main street and across into the parklands adjacent.
Feedback from the community has demonstrated enthusiasm for a street art mural on this site to add colour and interest to the area. This commission aims to exemplify the vision for public art as expressed in the City of Greater Geelong’s Public Art Strategy (see reference below) and give consideration to the unique qualities of the site, place and culture of the region.
Context
Community consultation has identified a number of themes that could be considered for this mural outcome. The successful artist will be invited to develop an imaginative concept proposal that displays a level of complexity and sophistication, delivering a conceptually strong and visually appealing work.
Artists are invited to consider the following context when preparing their responses:
- Portarlington has a long history of fishing and mussel farming
- People, their stories and history, and their connection to this place
- The views out to the pier and across the bay provide inspiration to the community.
About Council’s Public Art Strategy
This Commission aims to support Council’s existing Public Art Strategy, and the following Purpose Statement:
The Public Art Strategy has been developed in recognition that the City of Greater Geelong has a long history and a strong ongoing commitment to commissioning artworks for public spaces across the Municipality. The City has a significant Public Places Art Collection of artworks and monuments – one of the largest in Victoria – in its parks, foreshores and streets and Council wishes to guide the ongoing maintenance of existing artwork and the strategic commissioning of new artwork.
Art can play a key role in creating quality public places, telling local stories, and expressing civic pride. Public art has a further role to play developing cohesive communities and enhancing cultural identity. The role of art in urban design, place making, and spatial activation is also widely recognised for community benefits of increased public safety; an improved sense of community connection, ownership and care for the civic environment; community confidence; and increased levels of use resulting in greater passive surveillance of public facilities. Public art plays an important role in the cultural vision for the City of Greater Geelong where creativity flourishes and design drives an exceptional quality of life for our community.
Project Timeline and Key Milestones
| Milestone dates | |
|---|---|
| Commencement of Expression of Interest | 3 March 2023 |
| EOI Submissions due | 5pm, 3 April 2023 |
| Successful Artist commissioned | 17 April 2023 |
| Final design due | 5 June 2023 |
| Painting | June – July 2023 |
| Completion date | 31 July 2023 |
Project Budget
The total project budget is $8,000 (inc GST). This amount should include all costs associated with the installation of the artwork, including artist fees, equipment, materials, travel, accommodation, and other related expenses.
Site
Portarlington Senior Citizens Club is located in Portarlington Park, on Newcombe Street in Portarlington. This park has beautiful views across Port Phillip Bay, to the You Yangs, and the Melbourne skyline. The ferry to Melbourne docks within view of the park, and the main retail strip, cafes and dining is right across the road. This prominently located building provides an excellent opportunity for a high-quality artwork to be showcased in this region.
The wall to be painted is an east-facing wall, with bare red brick. The surface is ready to paint, with good, shallow mortar. The wall will not be base-coated prior to painting, and artists can consider leaving some exposed red brick in their design.
The wall measures approx. 5 metres at its highest point, and 16m in length.
Submissions
A selection panel will review the expressions of interest to award the commission to an artist based on the following criteria:
- Artistic merit of existing portfolio
- Experience and technical skill
- Capacity to complete projects within timeframe and to budget.
Artists are requested to submit the following for EOI stage (please do not send concepts):
- Artist statement of intent for this project (Maximum 250 words)
- Current CV (2 page maximum)
- 5 images of your artwork and or webpage links for viewing examples of previously developed artworks. (Jpeg/Mpeg or video files – max 1Mb each)
- Confirmation of ability to meet project timelines.
Submissions are to be received by email only and are due by 5pm, 3 April 2023.
Direct enquiries and submissions to:
Public Art Team
Arts & Culture Department
