Ballarat Empty Plinth Project

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.

MAV is proud to announce an exciting new opportunity for culturally-diverse artists: the Ballarat Empty Plinth Project. This initiative invites artists, either as individuals or teams, to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the creation of a temporary 3D or sculptural artwork to be displayed at the Empty Plinth in the newly established Intercultural Gardens, City of Ballarat.

The Ballarat Empty Plinth Project seeks to intrigue, interpret, interrupt, and involve the local community, encouraging contemporary narratives that complement the city’s rich cultural heritage. This annual initiative is part of the City of Ballarat's Temporary Public Art Program, providing a platform for creative voices to respond to global issues within a local context.

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.

Summary of frequently asked questions from the Information session can be found below.

Location and Tech Specs:

The plinth is located in the newly opened Intercultural Gardens at the crossing of Sturt Street and Pleasant Street in the Lake Wendouree precinct.

The coordinates are -37.559042, 143.838781. The technical specs of the plinth can be found here.

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Project Timeline, Commission Methodology and Budget:

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • Applications open 3 December 2024

  • Online Artist Information Session 18 December 2024 - 6:00pm-7:00pm

  • Applications close 20 January 2025 - 10:00am

  • Artist will be selected by 7 February 2025

  • Concept Development to be completed by 14 March 2025

  • Installation completed by 19 May 2025

  • Deinstallation by May 2026

This project will follow the following process:

Stage 1: EOI Opens

The Stage 1 is an open application process. Artists from all over the country are welcome to apply. The requirements for this application and the details of the selection process are provided below. One artist/artist group will be selected for Stage 2.

Stage 3: Production and Delivery

All aspects of the production, delivery and installation of this work is to be managed by the commissioned artist within the budget provided. The artist will be supported by MAV during this process.

The City of Ballarat will assist with the Permits, Heritage Exemptions and the Cultural Heritage Management Plan required for the site.

Stage 2: Concept Development

This stage is not competitive. The artist selected in Stage 1 will have to produce the concept for the sculpture. The artist will have to participate in consultation with the community and will have to work with the CoB Public Art Officer to refine and finalise the concept. The artist will be supported by MAV during this process.

BUDGET:

The total artist budget for this commission is $25,000 ex GST. This budget includes all fees, materials, fabrication, artist insurance and installation costs.   

Application and Artist Selection:

Artists (or artist teams) need to apply via the online application form here.

The form contains the following questions:

  • How do you identify culturally?

  • What is your relationship to the Ballarat region?

  • If you have limited experience creating public art, are you prepared to engage a mentor within the allocated artist fee? (MAV will support the process of identifying a mentor if you are unable to)

  • Provide your Artist Bio (100 words) 

  • Provide an artist’s Curriculum Vitae (CV) (maximum two pages) including a description of your art practice and experience, including any public art works (up to 5 images)

  • Criteria Question 1: What role do you seek your sculpture to play in contemporary Australian society? (200 words limit)

  • Criteria Question 2: How would you approach this commission through your creative practice? (200 words limit)

  • Criteria Question 3: How would your work respond to the site or connect to the rich cultural heritage of the region? (200 words limit)

Artists are requested to NOT submit a concept in this application.

Selection Criteria and Weighting:

  • Artist Biography, existing portfolio and working history = 40%

  • Response to Criteria Question 1 = 15%

  • Response to Criteria Question 2 = 20%

  • Response to Criteria Question 3 = 15%

  • Local Content = 10%

    • Artist living locally = 10%

    • Ballarat artist now living elsewhere = 5%

    • Artist from elsewhere using local businesses to produce artwork = 3%

Q&A from the Information Session

ELIGBILITY

  • Yes, artists with experience in other mediums (e.g., galleries or small-scale work) but new to public art are encouraged to apply. We can assist with helping you to engage a more experienced mentor if required.

  • Both. Individual applications or group collaborations are welcome. The primary applicant must clarify the collaboration details in their application.

APPLICATION PROCESS

  • The application deadline is January 20th.

  • Yes, applicants can submit a video instead of written responses to make the process more accessible.

  • No, a budget is required during the concept stage after selection.

PLINTH DETAILS

  • It is a concrete, purpose-built structure that artists can paint, screw into, or modify as long as it is returned to its original state.

INSURANCE AND SAFETY

  • Public Liability Insurance ($20 million coverage) and another type of insurance (details to be confirmed) are required. Assistance is available for acquiring these.

  • Yes, an engineering report is required for the sculpture to ensure safety in public spaces.

LONG-TERM PROGRAM DETAILS

  • Yes, the program has funding for three years with the possibility of a two-year extension.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

  • Yes, 7% of the selection criteria is based on personal connection to Ballarat, and 3% on economic benefits to the region.

OTHER DETAILS

  • No, these costs must be covered by the artist within the $25,000 budget.

  • Maintenance due to production faults is the artist’s responsibility. However, vandalism-related damage is not.

The Ballarat Empty Plinth Project is being administered by MAV in collaboration with the City of Ballarat. MAV and City of Ballarat acknowledges the traditional custodians of the City of Ballarat; the Wadawurrung and to the North of the municipality the Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples, and recognise their continuing connection to the land and waterways.

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