Photo Credits L to R: Paz Tassone (2022), Kevin Huang (2021), Fiona Morrison (2019)

City of Darwin offer two 6 month Exhibition opportunities for independent curators, collectives or organisations.

THE OPPORTUNITY

City of Darwin invites expressions of interest (EOI) from local creatives to coordinate and deliver the next two Lightbox Exhibitions. The exhibitions run for six months each and will be installed in September 2023 and March 2024. The opportunity is open to individuals or groups interested in curating a selection of works to be displayed in 10 lightboxes installed across three city locations.

The curated artworks need to include works by up to 10 Darwin creatives and can include the following forms:

• Traditional visual art forms - painting, drawing, collage, stencil (submitted via a high-quality photograph or scan to specification)
• Photography
• Graphic and digital artforms
• Printmaking (submitted via a high-quality photograph or scan to specification)

Artworks are displayed 24 hours a day, seven days a week across the city. 10 different artworks at the following locations:

• The Mall – 2 double-sided lightboxes (4)
• Dragonfly Carpark (Chinatown) – 3 single-sided (3) lightboxes
• Nightcliff Pool – 3 single-sided lightboxes (3)

The 10 portrait lay-out display areas are 1300mm X 1850mm. These lightboxes are internally illuminated with LED side lit modules. The artworks are digitally printed onto vinyl and installed within the lightbox frames.

Artist labels with information about each work will be displayed on a panel next to each illuminated display.

The successful applicant will select and curate artworks and provide the work to specification. They will provide accurate and timely information about the artwork and artists.

Artwork needs to be delivered to the City of Darwin with the following specifications: 1300mm X 1850mm - 300dpi - portrait orientation.

THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT

City of Darwin will allocate up to $8,500 for each exhibition series to the successful applicant.

The successful applicant will be the exhibition series Curator. Their role includes working with City of Darwin’s Staff to deliver the exhibition, contracting local artists, and curating the selection of original artworks. More information is provided upon confirmation of successful application.

In addition, the following costs are managed by City of Darwin: 

1. Printing of artworks onto vinyls and the installation into the lightboxes
2. Graphic design and installation of the artist labels
3. Professional photographs of artworks taken at day and at night
4. Social media and promotional support

Up to $8,500 is paid to the successful applicant, in two instalments, to cover the cost of:

1. The curatorial fee and administration costs
2. Selecting artists/ artworks and paying the Artist fees x 10 artworks
3. Additional documentation such as videography
4. Organising an exhibition launch
5. Completing an artistic and financial acquittal

The first instalment is paid on return of the signed agreement and the provision of a tax invoice including a Purchase Order number (the PO is provided by City of Darwin). The second instalment is paid after the exhibition has been installed, evaluation report completed by the Curator and the provision of a tax invoice (including the same Purchase Order number).

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for this opportunity you must:

• Be living and working in Darwin.
• Nominate a lead who, as the Curator, will take responsibility for the budget, coordination of artists/ artworks, and administration of the exhibition series.
• Include Darwin based creatives, groups, collectives and/or arts organisations that work with and support local artists. City of Darwin encourages inclusion of artists from a diverse range of ages, gender and cultural backgrounds, including First Nations creatives and a range of career levels (emerging, mid-career and established).
• Have your own ABN (and Public Liability Insurance required for a physical launch event).
• Be able to self-manage to deliver requirements on time and as agreed.

ASSESSMENT

Applications will be assessed via a review panel and based on the following criteria:

WHY?

The reason why you have selected these works or specific local artists. We’re looking for a meaningful and informed curatorial vision that reflects the cultural richness of our city.

WHO? 

The skills, knowledge, and capacity of the participating artists. We’re looking for information on the artists, their reputation, skills and ability to draw audiences.

WHAT?

The artwork. We’re looking for compelling work that highlights the diversity and scope of Darwin’s artistic and creative sector. This is a professional exhibition platform.

CURATORIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate artwork application and curate the selection process.
• Pay artists and creative contributors appropriate fees and distribute funds as agreed. *City of Darwin refers to NAVA rates of pay.
• Work with City of Darwin to create promotional materials.
• Plan, promote and deliver an opening event including the recruitment of creatives if wanted (i.e a local musician).
• Supply City of Darwin with artist label information, images to specification, and a site plan identifying intended locations for each artwork.
• Supply City of Darwin with your ABN, read and sign the Contractual Agreement, and budget documents.
• Supply City of Darwin with an evaluation of project and acquit expenditure (forms will be supplied to the applicant).

SUPPORT PROVIDED BY CITY OF DARWIN

• Provide examples of forms and processes for artwork selection, artist agreements, artwork orientation document examples, contractor contacts (for the print and install of artworks and graphic designer for artist panels) and media and promotion.
• Costs of the fabrication and installation of artwork and the Artists panels.
• Project communication throughout, including general advice and support related to curation, launch events and project management as necessary.

TIMELINES- EXHIBITION PERIOD 1: SEPTEMBER 2023 – FEBRUARY 2024 

*Activity due dates tbc upon notification of successful applications.

ACTIVITY	DATE	ROLE/ RESPONSIBLE
EOI’s Open	18 April 2023
EOI Application Due	COB Friday 19 May 2023	Curator
Selection Panel Process	Late May	City of Darwin
Applicants Notified	Late May	City of Darwin
Project contract agreement signed Funding Allocation 1 Provided (80%)	Early June	Curator and City of Darwin
Final Artworks ready, provided to CoD along with information for artist labels and sent to Designer	July	Curator
Print Ready Images to Fabricator	July	Curator
Media and Marketing Collateral Produced	August	Curator and City of Darwin
Installation of Works	By 1 September 2023	Contractor via City of Darwin
Photography for promotion (taken at night and during the day) and provided to CoD	Within first week of installation	Curator
Launch / Opening Event	Early September	Curator (supported by City of Darwin)
Documentation, financial and artistic reports	October	Curator (forms provided by City of Darwin)
Funding allocation 2 Provided (20%)	October	City of Darwin
Exhibition concludes	28 February 2024	City of Darwin
Artworks collected from Civic Centre	Early March 2024	Curator to collect and distribute to Artists

TIMELINES- EXHIBITION PERIOD 2: MARCH 2024 – AUGUST 2024

*Activity due dates tbc upon notification of successful application.

ACTIVITY	DATE	ROLE/ RESPONSIBLE
EOI’s Open	19 April 2023
EOI Application Due	COB Friday 19 May 2023	Curator
Selection Panel Process	Late May	City of Darwin
Applicants Notified	Late May	City of Darwin
Project contract agreement signed Funding Allocation 1 Provided (80%)	November 2023	Curator and City of Darwin
Final Artworks ready, provided to CoD along with information for artist labels and sent to Designer	January 2024	Curator
Print Ready Images to Fabricator	January	Curator
Media and Marketing Collateral Produced	February	Curator and City of Darwin
Installation of Works	By 1 March 2024	City of Darwin
Photography for promotion (taken at night and during the day) and provided to CoD	Within first week of installation	Curator
Launch / Opening Event	Early March	Curator (supported by City of Darwin)
Documentation, financial and artistic reports	April	Curator (forms provided by City of Darwin)
Funding allocation 2 Provided (20%)	April	City of Darwin
Exhibition concludes	31 August 2024	City of Darwin
Artworks collected from Civic Centre	Early September	Curator to collect and distribute to Artists

For more information contact the Arts and Cultural Development Officer

• Email arts@darwin.nt.gov.au
• Phone 08 8930 0645
• Mobile 0407 279 852