Call for First Nations art to honour Stolen Generation Survivors’ truth at significant Western Sydney site
First Nations artists are invited to honour Stolen Generations Survivors through powerful truth-telling art, to be embedded in the deeply significant site of Keller House, the heritage-listed home to the Stolen Generations Keeping Place in Parramatta North’s cultural precinct located on the lands of the Burramattagal people, a clan of the Dharug.
As plans for Keller House’s transformation and reopening as a Keeping Place takes shape, public art will be central to the project. Art will transform the site into a powerful space for truth-telling, healing, and cultural continuity for First Nations people impacted by the Stolen Generations.
Survivors, in partnership with Aboriginal Affairs NSW and Create NSW, identified the refurbishment as an important opportunity to elevate First Nations voices and perspectives within important focal points across the site’s publicly accessible areas. The vision for the artworks is to be integrated within the site’s structures and landscape elements to ground the space with Survivor resilience and cultural strength.
The Expression of Interest opportunity invites innovative public art proposals that respond through visual narratives to honour the resilience and stories of Survivors, acknowledging the past while instilling hope for the future.
NSW and ACT First Nations artists are invited to respond to the Expression of Interest by Thursday 23 April 2026. Shortlisted artists will then be invited to develop a concept design in June 2026.
Sketch of the site - illustrated by Anton James
To learn more about the Keller House First Nations Public Art opportunity and submit an Expression of Interest, visit the First Nations Arts and Cultural Hub
Aboriginal Affairs NSW Executive Director of Truth and Healing Lisa Madden said:
“This project honours the lived experiences of Stolen Generations Survivors through truth-telling and collective healing. It is a place of enduring truth, and we encourage artists to respond to the Expression of Interest and contribute to its future for Aboriginal communities.”
Create NSW Executive Director, Kerri Glasscock said:
“Create NSW is pleased to partner with Aboriginal Affairs NSW to support this special opportunity for First Nations artists. The vision is for the selected artworks to reflect the resilience and truth of Survivors and transform a deeply significant site into a safe and welcoming space. This important commission reveals the power of First Nations public art to be a portal for remembrance, connection and healing.”
About Keller House Keeping Place
Keller House is located on the lands of the Burramattagal people, a clan of the Dharug in North Parramatta, New South Wales, within the historic Parramatta North Cultural Precinct. This broader precinct is a nationally-significant heritage area connected to both Aboriginal and colonial histories. The restoration and transformation of Keller House realises a Survivor-led vision to create a dedicated space for members of the Stolen Generations. Guided by the Survivors, the project places their lived experiences, Cultural Authority, and community priorities at its centre. Keller House will provide a culturally-safe environment for Survivors to reconnect cultural materials, share stories, and foster healing through truth-telling and remembrance.