The City of Bunbury is calling for proposals from experienced curators to present the 2024 Noongar Country Exhibition. This exhibition is extremely valued by our South West community and generates much interest around Australia. Noongar Country is a contemporary showcase of living culture and story interpreted through diverse mediums by Indigenous artists residing on Noongar Country, giving voice and connection to past and present.
The successful applicant is expected to work closely with the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) team and the City’s Noongar Arts Coordinator to curate the exhibition, help with the marketing campaign, public programs and events associated with the exhibition. The exhibition will be held within the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery, the City of Bunbury's Council Function Room and Foyer. The City’s Marketing and Communication team will submit the marketing content through the City’s digital channels to help promote the exhibition.
To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter (total maximum of 5 pages) outlining your proposal and vision and ability to successfully deliver this project to artgallery@bunbury.wa.gov.au. The successful candidate will be chosen through a panel of local Aboriginal community members, a member of BRAG staff and the City’s Community Development Officer - First Nations.
Applications close at 5pm on 19 June 2024.
Curator to start by end 1 July 2024.
The Noongar Country Exhibition will run from 7 September to 27 October 2024.
Key Responsibilities:
- Engage with potential artists to encourage participation.
- Deliver a professional exhibition based on your design and curatorial premise.
- Work within the timeframe set out by the Community, City of Bunbury management and the BRAG team.
- Assist artists in the application process if required (i.e. deliver hard copies, if necessary, explain forms required).
- Process and monitor applications and follow-up on incomplete entries.
- Form a selection committee with local Noongar Elders and community members.
- Ensure artist statements and/or stories are complete.
- Assist in the design, editing and proofing of catalogue, including organisation of photography of entries.
- Write a short essay for inclusion in the exhibition catalogue.
- Assist in the pickup and delivery of artworks and their return at the end of the exhibition.
- Engage local stakeholders to identify potential sponsors and partners.
- Assist in the organisation of both the opening event and prize presentation, including engaging industry judges.
- Work closely with the Noongar community, BRAG team and key City staff on all aspects of the exhibition.
- Please provide details of insurance.
- Must possess a current driver’s licence.
- Must be able to work from the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery for the first 3 months, including meeting at least once a week (plus additional days closer to the exhibition) with BRAG team and/or submit weekly reports.
- Payment to be based on 5 payments of $5000 each ($25,000 in total and plus GST if applicable), with one initial payment and 4 payments dependent upon achieving deliverables as outlined in our schedule.
14 July 2024: Initial payment within 14 days of curator start date.
14 August 2024: First milestone payment upon satisfactory completion of:
- Choose exhibition theme and develop identity.
- Draft and send out application forms
- Entries open by August 1 2024.
- Closing date as determined by curator and selection panel.
- Curator advises successful artists and submits list to gallery with all information including updated banking details within 7 days of entries closing.
14 September 2024: Second milestone payment upon satisfactory completion of:
- 24 August last day to deliver work to gallery
- Curator organises in the pick-up of artwork
- 31 August: all artist details, statements/stories are finalised
- All essays including curator essay for publication completed
14 October 2024: Third payment upon satisfactory completion of:
- Assist in installation and exhibition design
- Award/opening night formalities and judging
- Curator talks and public programming schedule
- Exhibition publication produced.
14 November 2024: Fourth payment upon satisfactory completion of:
- 5 audience engagement commitments
- Submission of an exhibition report
Applicants are to be judged against the following criteria
Ability to deliver the project: 20%
Knowledge of Indigenous community culture and art: 25%
Design and proposal: 20%
Administrative and organisational skills: 15%
Experience: 20%
Noongar Country Exhibition: 7 September to 27 October 2024
For more information, please contact the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery at artgallery@bunbury.wa.gov.au or call 08 9792 7323.