MAP mima Stargazing Commission

Expression of Interest: Stargazing Immersive Artwork Commission

Budget: $5,000
Applications due: 15 May 2025
Project delivery date: 28 July 2025, exhibition to open 4 August 2025
Open to: All creative individuals, groups, or companies

About the Opportunity

Lake Macquarie City Council recognises that the integration of art, technology, and design enhances community spaces, fosters cultural enrichment, and strengthens local identity. The experience of immersive and inspirational artworks deepens engagement with place, encouraging reflection, exploration, and shared storytelling.

MAP mima Stargazing Immersive Artwork

Lake Macquarie City Council is seeking proposals for an immersive digital artwork responding to the theme of stargazing for the Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima (MAP mima) in Speers Point Park. This commission invites artists to explore celestial phenomena, mythology, the wonder of the night sky, and our relationship with the cosmos through immersive digital media.

MAP mima is a dynamic venue supporting diverse contemporary art practices. The primary exhibition space, ‘the Cube,’ is a 360-degree immersive projection environment with digital mapping capabilities on the walls and floor. The space can also transform into a hybrid stage with two lift-up walls that open to the surrounding park.

This EOI seeks artists working with immersive projection, light, and sound to activate the Cube with a work inspired by stargazing—whether through scientific inquiry, cultural perspectives, cosmic storytelling, or the sheer beauty of the night sky.

Artists can apply to:

• Create a new immersive work commissioned specifically for MAP mima

• Receive funds towards the development of new work, along with technical assistance/training

• Exhibit existing works adapted for the Cube space

Artists should submit details about their practice, their approach to immersive digital storytelling, and examples of previous work.

About MAP mima

MAP mima is a state-of-the-art creative venue that serves as a platform for contemporary art installations, digital screenings, performances, and interactive experiences. The name mima (pronounced me’ma), an Awabakal word meaning ‘cause to stay’, reflects the venue’s intention to interweave ancient and emerging cultural narratives.

With advanced projection, sound, and lighting technologies, MAP mima provides a space for artists to experiment with immersive storytelling. The Cube’s unique architectural features allow for a fully enclosed digital experience or a hybrid stage open to the natural surroundings, making it an ideal setting for a celestial-themed artwork.

Site & Audience

MAP mima is located in Speers Point Park, the most visited public space in the Lake Macquarie region, with over 400,000 visitors annually. It connects with contemporary public artworks, the Warners Bay entertainment hub, and the Museum of Art and Culture, yapang. The venue acts as a cultural activator, presenting immersive digital experiences, theatre, music, and workshops.

Project Objectives

• Celestial Inspiration: Create an immersive artwork that transports audiences into the wonders of the night sky, whether through scientific, poetic, or cultural lenses.

• Intermingling of Ancient & Emerging Expressions: Considerations of Indigenous star knowledge, cosmology, and mythology alongside contemporary digital innovation are encouraged.

• Community Connection: Foster a sense of wonder, reflection, and connection to the cosmos, place, and each other.

• Technical Innovation: Experiment with projection, sound, and interactivity to push the boundaries of immersive art.

Budget

• $5,000 for the commission, covering artist fees, materials, and production costs. The MAP mima team will support installation.

• The artwork will be acquired into the Lake Macquarie City Council Collection.

• The artist will receive 50% payment upon concept approval and 50% upon installation.

• The artist must budget for all costs, including fees, insurances, and necessary equipment.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a complete, fully functioning projection artwork for installation at MAP mima.

• Participate in project documentation (video/photography).

• Optional: Facilitate community workshops (separate fee and scope to be negotiated).

Selection Criteria

Selection will take place in two phases:

Phase 1 – Initial EOI Submission (Current Phase)

Artists must submit:

• Contact details

• A current CV (max. 2 pages)

• Examples of previous relevant work

• A brief concept statement (max. 500 words) outlining the proposed immersive stargazing artwork, its engagement with the Cube, and its experiential impact. Alternative submission formats (sketches, sample videos, storyboards) are welcome.

Selection considerations:

• Alignment with the project’s theme and objectives

• Artistic originality and innovation

• Technical feasibility and artist’s experience with immersive media

Phase 2 – Final Selection

Selected artists will be required to submit:

• Refined artistic statement

• Detailed project schedule and budget

• Proof of Public Liability Insurance (if applicable)

Eligibility

• Open to national and international artists (individuals or teams).

• Teams may include external fabricators or collaborators.

• Lake Macquarie City Council staff and MAP mima architecture team members are not eligible.

Key Dates

How to Apply

Applications close at midnight AEST on 15 May 2025.

For further inquiries or to submit your application, please contact:

David Rastas
Curator, MAP mima
Lake Macquarie City Council
P: 0447 297 335
E: drastas@lakemac.nsw.gov.au

This is a unique opportunity to create a mesmerising stargazing-inspired immersive artwork for MAP mima’s innovative exhibition space. We look forward to seeing your vision for this cosmic experience come to life!