Expression of interest: Art & About Sydney 2023/24

Art & About projects are temporary activations that can happen anytime from November 2023 to June 2024. Projects can be a one-off, happen over a series of events, or be installed for several months.

Projects must be new works that will be commissioned and produced by the City of Sydney specifically for Art & About. 

We’re looking for projects and artwork installations that:

• demonstrate artistic excellence
• are innovative
• are participatory and inclusive
• create unique experiences through diverse and interesting collaborations.

The City of Sydney has taken a no single use plastics pledge. Artists are encouraged to consider the sustainability of their proposed artwork/project in their expression of interest application.

Art & About is a creative collaboration between the artist and the City of Sydney and is not a grant program. Artists and cultural organisations seeking funding or support to independently produce and deliver events, artworks and other creative projects should apply through our grants and sponsorships program. 

Artists will be engaged for Art & About Sydney 2023-2024 as independent contractors. The indicative terms and conditions of the engagement are set out in the Art & About commissioning agreement below. 

The Artist will be engaged to deliver the project, which will be commissioned and produced by the City for Art & About.

The artist will be responsible for:

• the overall creative concept
• developing, planning and delivery of the project
• engaging all artists, manufacturers and other third-party suppliers
• coordinating and managing any third-party supplier
• detailed design drawings required for any legislative approvals process
• detailed design or other drawings required for manufacture, supply or other
• producing risk planning and other event documentation as required
• coordinating installation and de-installation
• run sheets, production schedules, event plans, maintenance plans or other similar documentation
• other services as explicitly agreed between the artist and the City of Sydney.

To support a diverse range of projects, we can provide key resources and support such as:

• support and assistance with creative concept development
• assisting with negotiations for venues/locations
• support for DA applications and coordinating other planning and approval instruments
• facilitating and hosting project meetings or creative development workshops
• access to City of Sydney Creative Studios or creative spaces (subject to availability)
• project marketing and publicity
• production support
• engaging and managing security
• support for risk planning and event documentation as required
• other services as explicitly agreed between the artist and the City of Sydney.

The resources and support to be provided by the City of Sydney for each project will be determined as part of the evaluation process and reflected in the contract with the Artist for the commission.

The City will pay a fee of up to $60,000 (excl. GST) for each project selected for Art & About Sydney. The budget submitted by the artist must be itemised to detail the total cost of the artwork/project and at a minimum should include:

• artist fees
• project management fees
• design and manufacturing costs
• venue hire and/or preparation
• external equipment hire
• development application fees and/or any licences, permits or other approvals where applicable
• security
• maintenance and/or delivery costs
• traffic and pedestrian management
• risk management and planning
• technical and production costs.

Projects that propose or require third party funding or sponsorship will be considered, provided this is clearly detailed in the submission. 

All budgets submitted must include measures to ensure safety of audience and all personnel and contractors engaged by the artist.

There will be 2 stages in the submission process to select the successful artworks.

Projects will be reviewed by a peer assessment panel of artists and creative industry experts, but the final determination will be made by the City of Sydney.

To be eligible, applicants will need to have a registered ABN.

 

Stage 1: Initial concept

Stage 1 is an open call for proposals from local artists and cultural organisations.

The following information is required to be submitted using the online form:

• artist/team’s contact details (indicate project leader for communications)
• artist/team’s bio or CVs
• artwork statement (200 to 250 words max) describing the artwork/project concept
• artist’s impression/concept drawings/production images of the proposed artwork/project
• an indicative budget
• funding amount requested from the City of Sydney for the project. 

Please ensure all files are clearly labelled with the applicant’s name. The maximum file size for each file is 5MB.

Project proposals received as part of stage 1 will be initially reviewed by the City of Sydney. Proposals that are deemed to be incomplete, not feasible, high risk, insufficiently detailed or undefined, do not comply with the submission requirements or terms and conditions, or that do not meet the brief will not progress further in evaluation.

The remaining project proposals will then be assessed by a panel of artists and creative industry experts and City of Sydney representatives against the evaluation criteria. A shortlist of selected projects will be determined and invited to proceed to stage 2. 

Stage 2: Request for proposal

Shortlisted artists/collectives/cultural organisations will be invited to submit a detailed proposal which includes the following information about the proposed artwork:

• a detailed artwork/project description including feasibility of the proposed site
• full CVs/bios of all members of the proposed artwork/project team and a list of proposed sub-contractors
• a comprehensive artwork/project timeline
• a full program methodology and risk assessment
• any support, resourcing or equipment requested from the City of Sydney
• a detailed budget demonstrating key items for inclusion such as artist fees, project management fees, manufacture, design, venue hire/development application fees, materials, labour, hire equipment, security
• a lighting and security plan
• renders, plans and diagrams if not previously supplied in stage 1
• insurance certificates of currency.

The City of Sydney will pay a fee of $1,000 (excluding GST) to shortlisted parties once we receive a complete and conforming submission as part of stage 2. This fee is in acknowledgement of the work required to complete the submission.

Shortlisted persons are required to register with the City of Sydney’s electronic tendering platform Tenderlink to receive the Stage Two Request for Proposal documents.

Stage 2 proposals will be assessed by a panel of artists and creative industry experts and City of Sydney representatives against the evaluation criteria. The City of Sydney will select the projects to proceed as part of Art & About Sydney 2023-2024.

 

Proposals will be evaluated according to:

• creative approach
• use of selected space
• technical and industry expertise of the artist/team
• likely quality of audience experience
• feasibility of the budget and timeline
• consideration of risk of the project
• work health and safety
• financial and commercial trading integrity including insurances.