Aboriginal Protocols Artwork Expressions of Interest

• Artist fee of $2,000 (ex GST)

• Applications open 5pm Wednesday 2 April 2025  
• Applications due: 5pm Friday 18 April 2025
• Artists notified Wednesday 23 April 2025
• Artist Agreement signed by Wednesday 30 April 2025
• Draft Designs submitted by Monday 26 May 2025
• Final designs approved by Monday 2 June 2025

Port Stephens Council is seeking Expressions of Interest from Worimi artists to create engaging artwork for Council's Aboriginal Protocols document.

The Aboriginal Protocols have been developed in consultation with Aboriginal stakeholders from Worimi country.

The artwork will be integrated into the graphic design of the document to represent the Worimi Traditional Owners and their Country. 

Port Stephens Council (Council) is committed to reconciliation and honouring Aboriginal people. We want to ensure that decisions and projects undertaken by the Council demonstrate this respect as well as empower Aboriginal people by ensuring that Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) is protected.

Council is committed to ongoing learning and celebrating the rich Aboriginal culture of Port Stephens. There are many places and stories across our Port Stephens with historical and cultural significance for Aboriginal communities.

In respecting this rich cultural context, Council has a responsibility to maintain and protect these places and stories. We don’t always get it right, but are committed to learning and improving how we do things with the help of our diverse Aboriginal Community. Council is committed to an ongoing cultural competency journey, of which this Framework is an early step.

The purpose of the Port Stephens Council Aboriginal Protocols is to help guide decisions, actions and projects that are undertaken by Port Stephens Council that involve Aboriginal peoples and/or their Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP). The Protocols outline how Council will engage with ICIP and custodians of ICIP by developing a consistent approach to managing ICIP, aboriginal engagement and project delivery connected with culturally significant places.

The growth of relationships and trust is key to the Protocols with education of Council staff to understand ICIP and embed their obligations in to the culture of Port Stephens Council. 

The final artworks are to be completed and approved for digitising by Monday 2 June 2025.

1. The final artworks required are 2 different artworks; One representing the Aboriginal Protocols Principles and one that broadly represents the Worimi people and their Country.

   The artworks will be integrated into the Aboriginal Protocols document representing:

   - True Tracks Principles (C) developed by Terri Janke and broadened with Worimi Aboriginal stakeholder consultation. 

   - Worimi Traditional Owners and their Country.

2. The budget for the artist covers all the artist's costs, which includes but is not limited to artist fee, materials, contractors etc. No further funds will be allocated for the creation of the artwork.

3. Artist Agreement: If successful, full terms and conditions will be outlined within a contractual agreement between the artist and Port Stephens Council. This expression of interest has no legal bearing.

Ensure you have read the Extract Aboriginal Protocols 

The Port Stephens Council's Public Art Policy and Guidelines identifies the following objectives:

• Acknowledgement of the importance of cultural and Aboriginal heritage and identity.
• Create a sense of identity about Port Stephens heritage, culture
• Develop and enhance opportunities and promotion of local artists

A selection panel will evaluate applications with consideration to (but not limited to) the following key selection criteria:

• Worimi Aboriginal artist
• Originality of the concept
• Relevance to Port Stephens, Worimi traditional owners and Council staff
• Quality of visual representation
• How the design will reflect the purpose of the Aboriginal Protocols
• Ability to complete the artwork within budget and timeframe

Applicants can discuss their Expression of Interest application, and or to discuss accessibility adjustments to the application process. Please contact:

Amber Herrmann

Coordinator Vibrant Places

Email: amber.herrmann@portstephens.nsw.gov.au

Phone: 4988 0255