Design Brief for Youth Project - Outdoor Gallery installation at Portland Arts Centre (PAC) 

Glenelg Shire Council are seeking an artist or artist team to collaborate with young people (aged 12–25) to co-design and create an outdoor art project. Focusing on youth voice to foster creative, connected & supported communities, the project will culminate in a co-designed outdoor gallery-style installation made of removable panels or components displayed on the exterior of the Portland Arts Centre. 

The successful artist will deliver a series of accessible and inclusive workshops with young participants to develop themes, explore media, and co-create the final artworks.

This project aims to offer young people the chance to be an active part of the creative community in a safe and supportive environment, developing skills and confidence as well as fostering both artistic and community connection outcomes. 

Initial Expressions of Interest are open now until 22 August. From the Expressions of Interests received, up to three will be chosen to develop a concept design for which a $500 fee will be paid. Four weeks are allocated for this stage after which the successful artist/artists will be chosen.

Project Objectives: 

• Empower young people to express themselves through art and connect with peers through structured and supportive collaboration with an established artist.  
• Celebrate local culture, creativity, identity, diversity, and community connection.  
• Create high-quality, public-facing artwork that is safely removable at the end of its lifespan.  
• To enliven the Portland Arts Centre through art which celebrates youth engagement. 
• Engage young people in all stages from concept to completion 

Key Information: 

Final Project Budget: $15,500 inc. GST, inclusive of artist fees, materials, and workshop delivery.  
Target Age Group of workshop participants: 12–25 years  
Delivery period: between October 2025 – January 2026 
Location: Portland Arts Centre, Bentinck Street exterior.  

• Site notes: The existing art panels near the Glenelg Street Corner may be replaced as part of this project, and the shrub on the Bentinck Street lawn may be removed to allow better view of the project. Site is approximately 23.1 metres long in total along the lawn on Bentinck Street. The PAC is a modernist building, with varied set backs, expanses and roof angles. See photos and plans for more detail. 

• Heritage Advice: Works must be designed in sympathy with PAC building and not compete with the neighbouring Drill Hall. The lead artist must consider architectural features and existing surfaces when designing the "gallery" to accentuate the precinct. Consultation with Council's Heritage Advisor will be facilitated as part of the early stages of the project. 

Format: Outdoor gallery with removable/transportable installations. This has been chosen in preference to a mural to  

1. respond to the heritage officer's advice to reflect the vertical structures of the windows, rather than a single large mural, and 
2. allow for young participants to take part in the complete creation of the work offsite, avoiding access and/or safety issues with working directly on the wall. 

Medium: Works can be in any medium, as long as the lead artist can demonstrate  

1. the suitability for selected materials to be displayed outdoors, and 
2. that the works can be mounted and demounted without significant damage or alteration to the structure or surfaces of the building. 

Project Timeline: 

How to Apply:

Please submit your initial EOI including: 

• A short statement (max 1 page) addressing your approach to co-designing with young people 
• A brief CV or artist bio 
• Examples of previous community or youth-engaged public art 
• Up to 5 images of relevant past work 
• Brief, initial concepts for the shape, scale and placement of the removable art works on the Bentinck Street exterior of the PAC, demonstrating an informed response to the architectural features of the PAC and the neighbouring heritage listed Drill Hall.  
• Brief, initial thoughts or concepts on workshop content, and the themes and techniques that will be developed for the final works. 
• All applicants will need to provide proof of a current Working With Children Check and Police Check. Maintaining current checks is a requirement for the successful artist/artists.  
  
  

To ensure the ethical, inclusive, and sustainable development of this project, the commissioner (Glenelg Shire Council) commits to: 

• Managing development approvals and adhering to public art and local government policies 
• Providing a clear artist brief, scope, and project management structure
• Implementing a fair and transparent artist selection process
• Setting realistic timelines and budgets, mindful of the administrative and creative workload
• Meeting obligations under Intellectual Property (IP) and Indigenous Cultural IP laws
• Paying all shortlisted artists for concept proposals
• Ensuring fair, prompt payment of artist fees, with clear communication
• Allocating separate budget provisions for d/Deaf and Disabled artist access requirements
• Maintaining the artistic and material integrity of the work for its expected lifespan
• Contacting the artist in case of relocation, decommissioning, or conservation needs 

Responsibilities of the Artist/Artist Team: 

Artists selected for the project will be expected to: 

• Deliver the work in alignment with the brief and agreed outcomes 
• Communicate regularly and openly with the commissioner
• Engage in meaningful consultation with participating young people
• Prepare and manage a risk management plan if required
• Plan for the accessibility of the finished work for diverse audiences
• Oversee all aspects of fabrication, quality control, and subcontractor engagement in collaboration with the commissioner
• Comply with all Glenelg Shire Council Occupational Health and Safety requirements
• Ensure the structural certification of all installations
• Propose a reasonable lifespan for the artwork based on materials and environmental conditions
• Provide a plan for the removal of the work and remediation of the site at the end of its lifespan that does not damage the building 

Further Considerations for the Artist/Artist Team and the Glenelg Shire to explore in the Concept Design Phase of the Project:

• Consider vandalism prevention when exploring media, placement of artwork and community engagement to help foster ownership and discourage defacement
• Comply with pedestrian safety and flow with the final artwork to be positioned to enhance existing walls or facades without interrupting pedestrian routes or causing visual distraction to drivers
• Sightlines and public interaction zones will be respected to ensure the artwork enhances, rather than interferes with, public movement
• Consider the aesthetics and maintenance of the artwork including mounting materials
• Materials should be selected for low maintenance and weather resistance

Open Now! EOI deadline: 22 August 

 Submit Your EOI

This project is committed to inclusive and culturally safe practice. We strongly encourage EOIs from First Nations artists, d/Deaf and Disabled artists, and those from diverse cultural backgrounds. For more information or to discuss access requirements, please contact: Jane Killmister email jkillmister@glenelg.vic.gov.au or phone 03 5522 2257 

Photos-and-Plans.pdf(PDF, 2MB)