Mural Artwork Makeover for Merrylands and Guildford Stations

⁠⁠⁠Council will be giving Merrylands and Guildford station pedestrian subway tunnels a makeover with the installation of new mural artworks, designed to revitalise the area.

Council is looking for artists / artist teams to conceive, design and produce a public artwork (murals) for each of the Stations. Local artists including emerging; First Nations; and or culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) artists are strongly encouraged to apply. This Expression of Interest (EOI) is coordinated by Cumberland City Council.

There are two sites for mural artwork designs, as follows:

• Commission 1 – Guildford Station
• Commission 2 – Merrylands Station

The purpose of the Commissions is to provide a distinctive contemporary public artwork on the ramp walls and tunnel walls and ceiling to enhance the pedestrian experience at each of the Stations. These projects will be seen by commuters every day and as such, will have a lasting effect on locals and visitors.

The themes to guide the murals will be developed alongside the Community via workshops prior to selecting the shortlisted artists. These workshops will be undertaken by Public Art Consultants ARTSCAPE. The shortlisted artists will be provided a thematic framework to use in developing their concepts.

Program Details

Key Program Dates

Stage 1 – April to June 2024

Friday 12 April: EOI Opens

Monday 20 May: EOI Closes

Friday 14 June: Artists advised of outcome.

Stage 2 – June to August 2024

Late June: Shortlisted artists invited to attend site briefing.

July: Shortlisted artists submit detailed application/concept design.

August: Successful artist advised, and contracts provided.

Stage 3 – August to December 2024

August to September: Design development with project team

September to December: Production / installation of public artwork

*Please note that the schedule is subject to alteration based on project requirements and weather conditions.

Stage 1 - April to June 2024

Applicants must submit their EOI by no later than 5pm, 20 May 2024 via the online submission form.

A maximum 250-word response detailing your interest in this project and your connection to Guildford and/or Merrylands.

A maximum 250-word response detailing how your practice can enhance the community’s experience of their daily journeys through stations and town centres.

A maximum 500-word response outlining your previous experience working in the public domain, as part of a team and your capacity to deliver within the timeframe.

A maximum 500-word response outlining the perceived challenges you see working in the pedestrian tunnel, ramps and stairs and the methods you will use to mitigate the challenges.

A maximum 2-page Bio and CV

Up to 5 relevant examples of your work

A price to undertake the commission and confirmation that a site visit has been undertaken to check dimensions / surface area.

Availability to participate in the program as outlined above.

Submissions that do not meet all the requirements of Stage 1 will be excluded from further consideration. Council is not committed contractually in any way to an organisation or individual whose submissions in response to Stage 1 EOI are accepted. The issue of this Stage 1 EOI does not commit Council to proceed with any part of this project.

*Please note STAGE ONE artists are not required to submit a proposal or concept design.

Stage 2 - June to August 2024

Up to two (2) shortlisted artists will be notified and invited to attend a site briefing on Monday 27 May.

Shortlisted artists will be asked to submit a detailed application and concept design for Commission 1 or Commission 2, whichever they have been shortlisted for, directly to Michael Brown – Senior Coordinator Events and Culture by no later than Monday 24 June.

Shortlisted applicants must submit.

A detailed concept design including consideration from multiple perspectives and elevations.

Outline how the Place Analysis and engagement has informed the creation of the work.

An artist statement outlining artwork themes and relevance to the brief, and where appropriate any First Nations heritage and context of the site and surrounds.

A project plan and schedule delineating key milestones including design completion and production milestones

A maintenance manual detailing considerations for ongoing maintenance where needed.

A detailed budget, including a detailed costing for design and creation of the artwork. The costing should include, but is not limited to:

Artist fee

Production material costs ie: paint, brushes, drop sheets, etc

scaffolding, cherry pickers and or hoardings needed for installation.

Associated development and engagement costs

Administrative costs.

Shortlisted artists will be advised of outcomes in early July.

A fee of $2,000 will be paid to each artist to develop their application and concept design.

Progression of artists to this stage does not constitute an agreement by Cumberland City Council to design the concept.

Stage 3 – August to December 2024

One (1) artist / artist team will be selected to undertake each of the Commissions. Further information about the program will be provided to the successful artists / artist teams.