Budget:
- $3,000 per artist (two commissions)
- Applications due: 10 April 2026
- Project delivery dates: 19 – 21 June 2026
Open to: Creative individuals, groups or companies from the Hunter region
About the opportunity
Lake Macquarie City Council is seeking EOI’s from Hunter based creatives to design and create engaging illuminated activations for the lake foreshores which will be held on Friday June 19 and Saturday June 20, 2026.
Background
Float Your Boat has become a much loved annual community event. The illuminated flotilla and foreshore activations encourage community participation, celebrate Lake Macquarie, and create a fun and vibrant shared experience. Lake Macquarie City Council recognises the value of public art in fostering identity, place making, and community engagement.
Project Scope
Final concept for the activations on the foreshore must be completed by 29 May 2026. Installation of each creative foreshore activation must be completed in the lead-up to the event and installed by Friday 19 June 2026.
This opportunity is open to creatives and artists based in the Hunter Region.
Lighting expertise is not essential. We encourage proposals that are fun, creative, participatory, and visually engaging for night time audiences.
Where art, light and participation meet to create unforgettable shared experiences
Key Information
- Completion/installation before Friday 19 June 2026
- Budget: The budget for each project as detailed above covers all the artists’ cost, which includes but is not limited to artist fee, materials, contractors, etc. No further funds will be allocated for the creation of the artwork.
- Council will support with: Event operations, marketing, safety materials as negotiated in the contract.
- Contractual Agreement: If successful, full terms and conditions will be outlined within a contractual agreement between the artist and Lake Macquarie City Council. This expression of interest has no legal bearing.
- Materials: Materials used must be suitable for an outdoor public environment, durable and non-toxic.
Selection principles
The Lake Macquarie City Council’s Urban and Public Art Policy identifies the following objectives:
- articulate a sense of place or community identity.
- encourage a stronger sense of community belonging, and community ownership of public space
- integrate public art into the infrastructure and natural environments of the City in order to enhance public spaces;
- ensure proposals are suitable and sustainable/ robust; and
- foster local and emerging artists in the Lake Macquarie community.
A selection panel will evaluate submissions with consideration to (but not be limited to) the following key selection criteria:
- express a sense of place or community identity
- strengthen community belonging and ownership of public space
- integrate art within natural and built environments
- demonstrate suitability, safety, and durability
- foster local and emerging Lake Macquarie artists
All applicants are encouraged to discuss your EOI pitch and application form, and or to discuss accessibility adjustments to the application process, please contact:
Charlotte Hilder
Cultural Projects Curator
Mob: 0436 528 305
Email: childer@lakemac.nsw.gov.au
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