Stolen Generations Keeping Places – Keller House – Public Art EOI

Program objective

The purpose of this program is to commission high-quality, culturally informed public artworks by NSW and ACT First Nations artists for installation at Keller House, home to the Stolen Generations Council NSW/ACT. The program aims to embed First Nations cultural knowledge, stories and artistic expression into the refurbished site, supporting its role as a place for truth telling, healing, cultural continuity and community connection.

This program responds to the opportunity created through the refurbishment of Keller House to ensure that Survivors’ experiences and cultural perspectives are visibly and meaningfully represented throughout the public areas of the site. The program prioritises NSW and ACT First Nations artists with demonstrated cultural connection, community engagement experience, and a capacity to deliver site-specific public art of the highest standard.

Objectives of the Program

The objectives of the Program are to:

• Commission public artworks that honour and reflect the stories, resilience and lived experiences of Stolen Generations Survivors.
• Embed First Nations cultural perspectives within the refurbished Keller House to strengthen its role as a culturally safe and healing environment.
• Increase opportunities for NSW and ACT First Nations artists to participate in significant public art commissions that require community consultation, cultural integrity and technical capability.
• Ensure artworks enhance visitor experience, accessibility, cultural learning and connection to place across the Keeping Place.
• Produce public art outcomes that meet heritage, safety and design requirements and contribute to the long-term cultural value of the site.

The program is guided by Stolen Generation Survivors funded by the NSW Government and administered by Create NSW in partnership with Aboriginal Affairs NSW.Image Credit: Keller House Landscape Design Sketch, (Credit JMD Design)

This program is administered by Create NSW.

Eligibility

Who can apply

All EOI opportunities must have clear eligibility criteria that outline the minimum requirements an applicant must meet. Applicants should review these criteria carefully before applying and ensure they can provide all required evidence. The Department cannot consider any application that does not meet all eligibility criteria.

Eligible Applicants

To be eligible, you must:

• Hold a valid Australian Business Number (ABN) for a registered entity.
• Be an individual applicant.
• Identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, with demonstrated connection to Country, culture, community, and cultural practice. (Applicants may instead provide a short-written statement that includes:
• • Their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity
  • Their family lineage, their involvement in community, such as participation in cultural events, organisations, or relationships with Elders
  • Their involvement in community, such as participation in cultural events, organisations, or relationships with Elders)
• Have maintained residency in NSW and / or the ACT for the previous 12 months and still reside there
• Be a permanent resident of Australia.
• Have an account with an Australian financial institution
• Be 18 years old or older.

Types of projects funded under this grant

A total of $51,000 (excluding GST) has been committed for the Program. This is specifically for artist fees, covering the following key deliverables:

• Design development, including research, conceptualisation, and refinement of the artwork concept
• Stakeholder consultation, ensuring the artist meaningfully engages with project managers, Cultural advisers, and relevant Survivor representatives
• Preparation and delivery of the final digital artwork files, suitable for fabrication by the Head build works contractor

It is important that applicants clearly understand these deliverables, as they will need to demonstrate within their EOI responses how they can successfully deliver each component. These deliverables will be assessed under the Assessment Criteria.

Applicants should ensure they address these requirements in their submission, providing sufficient detail, examples, and supporting evidence to allow the assessment panel to evaluate their suitability.

The project delivery timeframe is May 2026 to October 2026, with installation scheduled in late 2026.

All funding amounts are exclusive of GST.

• $1,500 (ex GST) will be paid to each shortlisted artist invited to develop a Stage 2 concept design.
• $45,000 (ex GST) commissioning fee for the final artist selected at the conclusion of Stage 2.

Outcomes for projects funded under this grant

The intended outcomes of the Program are:

• The creation of culturally appropriate, site-specific artworks that support truth telling and promote healing for Survivors, families and communities.
• A visibly enriched and culturally grounded Keeping Places that strengthens understanding of the ongoing impacts of the Stolen Generations.
• Increased participation and visibility of NSW and ACT First Nations artists within major public domain projects.
• High-quality public artworks that enhance the cultural, educational and emotional experience of visitors to Keller House.

A strengthened partnership between artists, community, Create NSW, Aboriginal Affairs NSW and the Stolen Generations Survivors through respectful collaboration and engagement.

Who can’t apply

You are not eligible to apply if you are one of the following entity types:

• a company incorporated in Australia
• a company incorporated by guarantee
• an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust
• an incorporated association
• a partnership
• a joint (consortia) application with a nominated lead organisation (if applicable)
• a registered charity or not-for-profit organisation
• a publicly funded research organisation
• an Australian local government body
• an Australian state or territory government body
• an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth)

Example projects

This program responds to the opportunity created through the refurbishment of Keller House to ensure that Survivors’ experiences and cultural perspectives are visibly and meaningfully represented throughout the public areas of the site. The program prioritises NSW and ACT First Nations artists with demonstrated cultural connection, community engagement experience, and a capacity to deliver site-specific public art of the highest standard.

What co-contributions are required

There are no co-contribution obligations for this Program. Artists are not required to provide additional financial contributions, and funding from other government sources may be used for unrelated project activities but cannot replace or supplement the funding provided for this public art commission.

Additional eligibility requirements

The Department cannot award funding if the applicant is receiving funding from another government source for the same purpose.

Start the application

Before applying, you must read and understand these Program Guidelines.

Stage One – Expression of Interest

To submit an EOI, you must:

• complete the application form in SmartyGrants portal
• provide all information requested
• address all eligibility criteria
• address all relevant assessment criteria
• include all required attachments
• submit your EOI application by 3pm on Thursday 23rd April 2026.

You are responsible for ensuring your application is complete and accurate. Providing false or misleading information is a serious offence under the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). The Department will investigate any false or misleading information and may exclude your application from consideration.

Applications must be submitted online via the SmartyGrants portal. Once submitted, you will receive an automated email confirming receipt of your application. You should retain a copy of your completed application and all supporting documents.

Documents Required

Applicants must upload the following documents with their completed application:

• up to five examples of previous work – photographs
• supporting documentation addressing each of the assessment criteria
• how will you respond to the stories, how will you respond to the themes

Stage Two – Concept Design

Shortlisted artists will be required to submit a comprehensive Concept Design package that includes:

• A detailed written concept design, clearly outlining the proposed artistic approach and intent.
• A presentation that demonstrates:
  • How the artist plans to approach the development and realisation of the work.
  • The creative rationale and methodology behind the proposed concept.
• Visual examples such as sketches, renders, reference images, or other visual aids that help articulate the artistic vision.
• Technical Specifications, including:
  • Installation considerations
• Dimensions of the proposed work, including height, width, depth, and any spatial or site-specific requirements.

Submission process

All concept designs must be submitted online via the SmartyGrants portal.

• Submissions must be uploaded as a PDF document through the designated SmartyGrants application form.
• Upon successful submission, applicants will automatically receive an email confirming receipt of their concept design.
• Applicants are strongly advised to retain a copy of their full submission, including all documentation and attachments, for their own records.

Clarification and Additional Information

If the Department identifies an error or missing information, we may contact you to request clarification or additional information, provided the request does not change the nature of the application.

If you identify an error after submission, you must contact the Department immediately at FirstNations@create.nsw.gov.au. The Department is not obligated to accept additional information or corrections after the closing date and time. Applications cannot be changed once the submission period has closed.

Multiple Applications

If more than one application is received from the same applicant, only the latest application submitted before the closing date will be assessed.

Time Extensions

The Department may make a discretionary decision to accept a late application due to technical difficulties. In order for this decision to be considered you must contact Create NSW at arts.funding@create.nsw.gov.au within 1 hour of applications closing (by 3pm 23 April 2026) with any supporting evidence.

Applicant Conduct

Applicants must not lobby the NSW Government in relation to this Program in a manner that may be perceived to create an unfair advantage. All applicants must comply with all relevant laws, including the NSW Lobbyists Code of Conduct.

Changes to the Guidelines

If any changes occur to the EOI Guidelines or application process, the Department will notify applicants via email and advise whether amendments to submitted applications are permitted.

Appeals

There is no appeal mechanism for this EOI program.

All decisions made by the Department regarding EOI outcomes are final and cannot be reviewed or reconsidered.

Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.