Expression of Interest - Aboriginal Artists - Manning and Wingham hospitals

Manning and Wingham hospitals have an exciting opportunity for Biripi and Worimi artists to create an original and unique digital artwork that:

• reflects cultural recognition
• promotes healing and inclusion, and
• visually represent the values of Manning and Wingham hospitals

Manning and Wingham Hospitals are currently seeking expressions of interest, with two opportunities on offer:

Project 1

Almost a third of babies born at Manning Base Hospital identify as Aboriginal.

‘Creating the Next Generation’ is an Aboriginal-led cultural arts initiative to create a large-scale feature wall artwork for display in the Manning Hospital maternity unit waiting room.

The selected artist will be awarded $1800, supported by a MidCoast Council Arts Grant.

Project 2

This commissioned Aboriginal artwork will serve as a visual representation of cultural safety, unity, and healing within our hospital. It will embody connection to Country, community, and togetherness, reflecting our commitment to inclusivity and respect for Aboriginal culture.

This artwork will be reproduced in whole or in parts and may be used in various formats, such as canvas digital prints, merchandise, signs and banners, posters, staff uniforms, clothing, or images for letterheads, pamphlets, email signatures, social media assets, or other resources.

The selected artist will be contracted by Hunter New England Local Health District to complete the artwork and will be awarded $4995.

KEY THEMES

We are inviting expressions of interest from Biripi and Worimi artists to create an artwork that reflects a vision of healing in healthcare, deeply connected to Country, culture, and community.

The artwork should represent holistic wellbeing and Aboriginal perspectives on healing as a journey, incorporating cultural symbols and local identity.

Themes to include:

• Healing as a journey – beyond clinical outcomes, focusing on connection and growth
• Holistic wellbeing – physical, emotional, spiritual, and cultural health
• Connection to Country – land, waters, skies, plants, animals, and sacred places
• Cultural symbolism – pathways (movement), circles (unity), hands (care)
• Local identity – Biripi and Worimi totems, ancestry, and belonging
• Cultural strength – Elders’ wisdom, Dreaming stories, and ceremonial practices
• Creating safe spaces – culturally safe, spiritually grounded, emotionally supportive environments

We want to ensure staff input guides the themes and stories so the artwork can be meaningfully used across hospital spaces and resources with respect for its cultural significance and intellectual property.

KEY DATES

Applications open: Friday 19December 2025

EOI closes: 11pm on 30 January 2025

Artists notified: February 2025

ELIGIBILITY AND DELIVERABLES

To be eligible for consideration, the artist needs to:

• Be an Aboriginal person living and connected to Country and lands within the Biripi and Worimi communities. Identify this connection as an Aboriginal person and connection to community.
• Submit at least one, but no more than three artwork design concepts.
• Supply the finished digital artwork in .ai and .eps formats, as well as in high-res and low-res jpegs. If the artwork is submitted in another form, a fee will incur from the payment to digitalise the artwork.
• If selecting to create artwork on another surface; there is no minimal or maximum size
• Provide a written story and summary explaining the artwork.
• Agree to be filmed about the artwork to celebrate the artist, the acquisition and the messages of the artwork.

The artwork needs to:

• Exhibit a founded connection to one or more of the diverse areas of priority (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander)
• Be authentic and original work of the artist submitting the design.
• If the concept is a joint creation of more than one artist and meets the criteria above this will be acceptable.

The successful artwork will become the property of Manning and Wingham hospitals and may be used as a whole, or as elements, with the artist being acknowledged wherever the artwork is used.

There will be a clear process to ensure that requests for permission of use will include a pledge to understand and foretell the artworks narrative, purpose for the use and protection of shared cultural intellectual property.

APPLICATIONS

The artwork must be completed and delivered by 30 January 2025.

To apply, submit your artwork along with the following information to melissa.lewis@health.nsw.gov.au

• A brief introduction about yourself and your connection to community and culture
• A statement/story that describes the artwork and how it represents Manning and Wingham Hospitals commitment to health and healing.
• Any special/cultural conditions or restrictions relating to the artwork or its use
• Artist biography and documentation of recent artwork/projects including any online links.
• Confirmation of ability to meet the eligibility criteria and stated timeline.
• Contact details and ABN

For more information, please contact:

• Janaya Lewis, Clinical Midwifery Consultant (CMC) First Nations, on janaya.lewis@health.nsw.gov.au
• Angela Mears, Director of Nursing and Midwifery, on angela.hogan@health.nsw.gov.au

Manning and Wingham hospitals respectfully acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land in which our health facilities are located, and pay respect to the Elders, community members and the community-controlled sector who partner with us to improve the health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our District.