We are calling for Artists to submit Expressions of Interest to design a high-impact artwork for 8 new waste trucks.

Bega Valley Shire Council and South East Arts are commissioning original artwork to appear on 8 kerbside waste collection trucks from 2025 through to 2034.

Your art will be seen across the Shire in a public art project celebrating creativity + sustainability.

Concept brief:

The purpose of the truck artwork is to inspire our community to rethink household consumption and waste behaviours, while celebrating the natural beauty of the Bega Valley.

The design concept should be a landscape-based artwork that reflects the natural beauty and pristine environment of the Bega Valley in a “mountains to the sea” theme. This theme captures the region’s diverse natural environments—from escarpments and forests to rivers, farmland, and coastline—and highlights the importance of protecting these landscapes through responsible waste practices.

The following words - the four Rs - should be included in the artwork. These four principles offer a clear and actionable framework for sustainable living and should be visually integrated into the design in a way that is both educational and aesthetically engaging.

•  Refuse – Avoid products that generate unnecessary waste.
•  Reduce – Choose options that minimise waste, such as buying in bulk or selecting items with less packaging.
•  Reuse – Extend the life of items by finding new uses for them and repairing them.
•  Recycle – Ensure materials are properly sorted and processed into new products.

Creative Scope:

Artists are encouraged to:

•  Use bold, vibrant, and accessible visual language that resonates with a broad audience.
•  Incorporate elements of the local landscape, flora, fauna, and community life.
•  Consider how the artwork will appear on large moving vehicles, ensuring clarity and impact from a distance.
•  Reflect the values of environmental stewardship, community responsibility, and circularity.

Scale of artwork:

There are three different truck sizes, and the measurements below indicate the usable size of one side of the truck body. Please note that the design will be replicated in full on both sides of each truck.

•  Truck 1: 1790 mm (height) x 4559 mm (width)
•  Truck 2: 1930 mm (height) x 4370 mm (width)
•  Truck 3: 1930 mm (height) x 2685 mm (width)

What you will get:

•  Commissioned artist receives $8,000.
•  Shortlisted concept artists receive $2,000.
•  Winning artwork showcased on 8 trucks.
•  Public promotion through BVSC & SEA.

Eligibility:

•  You must live in the Bega Valley Shire.
•  Solo or collaborative proposals welcome

https://www.southeastarts.org.au/artisteoi