MAV is inviting artists (individuals or in teams) to submit an Expression of Interest to create a temporary 3D/Sculptural artwork to be displayed at the Empty Plinth in the newly opened Intercultural Gardens in the City of Ballarat.

Background:

In September 2024, the City of Ballarat celebrated the opening of Ballarat’s first Intercultural Garden at the intersection of Sturt and Pleasant Streets, near City Oval.

This garden is a place where people from all walks of life can come together to connect, share stories and celebrate important times within the communities, such as Christmas, Diwali, Ramadan, NAIDOC week, Lunar New Year among many others.

The design of the garden followed community consultation in 2023 and now includes:

• A circular display garden and other plantings
• Community flagpole
• Picnic shelter and park furniture
• An Empty Plinth
• Connecting paths
• Drinking fountain supplied by Central Highlands Water
• Electrical and water connections to assist holding events

In designing the plans for the garden, the City of Ballarat has worked closely with the Intercultural Advisory Committee and PLOT Landscape Architects.

The Empty Plinth is purpose-built to exhibit temporary sculptural works. To respond to the changing narratives of the Ballarat community, this plinth will host a new 3D artwork every year. This is part of the city’s Temporary Public Art Program.

Project Scope:

The scope of this project is to develop and deliver a temporary sculptural work at the assigned site. It is a small‐scale, stand-alone, site-specific artwork commission with a proposed total budget of $25,000 ex GST. This budget includes all fees, materials, insurances, fabrication, and installation costs. This is an opportunity for an early career artist working in public arts to create a contemporary statement in a city rich with its heritage public art collection.

The stories told on the plinth will include global contemporary issues within a local context. Artists and creative producers involved in this project will be mindful of the key audience for Intercultural Gardens that includes users of the garden itself, users of the City Oval, residents, pedestrians, nearby business patrons, and national and international visitors to the area.

MAV and City of Ballarat will be holding an Online Artist Information Session on Wednesday 18th December 6pm-7pm. To register your interest to attend, please email josephine@mav.org.au.