Apply to provide creative services for Calling Country at Sydney New Year’s Eve

Stage 1 is an open call for applications.

The City of Sydney isn’t seeking a proposal for the full Calling Country production scope outlined in the specification. This scope information is being provided for the information of applicants only.

We’re seeking information from applicants that is outlined in the application form. This includes:

• details of your organisation
• key personnel
• experience and capacity
• knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
• acknowledgement of the requirements
• a proposed creative outline for Sydney New Year’s Eve 2026.

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

In applying, applicants accept all City of Sydney terms and conditions listed in the expression of interest document below. 

An online information session for interested applicants will take place at 9.30am, 21 August 2025. Applicants must register their interest, by emailing Bernadette Watt, [email protected] to get access to the online briefing.

Following our review of the expression of interest proposals, we will invite shortlisted applicants to file a formal tender.
Applicants invited to tender will be:

• issued with a formal request for tender documents to complete within a set timeframe
• required to present their creative concept for consideration at a meeting with the City of Sydney.

It is anticipated the creative concept presentation will be up to 60 minutes in length. Further details will be provided to shortlisted applicants as required.

The City of Sydney will pay a fee of $3,000 (excluding GST) to invited stage 2 applicants on receipt of a complete and conforming tender application. This fee is to acknowledge the work required to complete this stage of the process. Selection for stage 2 is at the sole discretion of the City of Sydney.

For the purposes of the expression of interest, the City of Sydney isn’t seeking a full fee proposal for the Calling Country creative services scope as outlined in the specification.

The following information is provided for the consideration of expression of interest applicants only.

• The City of Sydney can’t accept any quotes that exceed the maximum total fee per year of contract. In the interests of our communities and public funds, we strongly encourage you to provide the best price for the term.

• Applicants selected for the stage 2 tender will be asked for a detailed budget that has a total fixed fee within the budget range of Calling Country for Sydney New Year’s Eve 2026.
• If selected for stage 2, the fee must include detail on all expense items including payments to artists, costumes, artwork commission or licensing, soundtrack commission fee and licensing fee, and performance fees.
• The creative services provider is responsible for the contracting and payment of fees for all artist collaborators.
• You must provide your quote in the manner required and respond to all parts outlined in the returnable information.

• Draft creative outline presenting a theme and overall vision for the Calling Country services.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering a creative concept including providing examples or case studies of previous work including visual storytelling, music programming, artist collaboration, aligning to the program elements.
• Demonstrated organisational capacity to deliver the program and details of key project personnel.
• Demonstrated experience in the delivery of creative programs supporting and celebrating Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander culture.
• Acknowledge commitment to WHS.
• Acknowledge commitment to required insurances.
• Acknowledge that the services must be delivered within the budget provided by the City of Sydney and that a detailed costing breakdown will be provided if selected to proceed to stage 2 – select tender.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander businesses are required to provide proof of certification and/or registration from one of the following:

• NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce
• Supply Nation
• Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations

Alternatively, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander individuals, sole traders and community organisations will be required to provide confirmation of Aboriginality. This confirmation is required from a registered Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community organisation stamped with their common seal and that confirms the applicant

• is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
• identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
• is accepted as such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community in which you live or formerly lived.