Kingston Arts wishes to commission an experienced Indigenous artist to deliver a large scale public artwork integrated into the rooftop deck of the new Mentone Lifesaving Club (LSC) that is currently being built and scheduled for completion in early-mid 2022. The selected artist will work closely with the Bunurong Land Council, key stakeholders, Council officers and local community members on this exciting and multifaceted project. One percent of the total budget has been allocated for the delivery of this artwork to the value of $135K.

PROJECT BACKGROUND
There is ongoing support for the depiction of Indigenous cultural heritage along the Bay by the local Kingston community. During the feedback collected on the ‘Your Kingston Your Say’ platform in July and August of 2020 for artistic themes to be explored along the Bay Trail, ‘Indigenous Cultural Heritage’ featured amongst the most popular topic supported, along with the ‘The local marine life and biodiversity of Port Phillip Bay’.

The City of Kingston is undergoing the Reconciliation Australia process to endorse Council’s first ever Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2021-2023. An Innovate RAP focuses on developing and strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, engaging staff and stakeholders in reconciliation, developing and piloting innovative strategies to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Kingston Arts will be guided by the commissioned artist/s on material and application of the proposed design and fabrication, however, the artwork is intended to be permanent and should be inclusive of interpretive signage. The design will also be low lying in nature and not block lines of site for users of the deck or overlooking residents.