EOI - Lead Artist Community Creative Christmas 2026

Project overview

North Sydney Council is commissioning temporary public artworks that will function as festive decorations across the 2026/2027 summer season. These artworks will be on display from early December 2026 through to the end of February 2027, enlivening key public spaces during the festive and summer period. The artworks will supplement Council’s regular commercial Christmas decorations (Christmas trees, garlands, street banners) that are installed at key village hubs throughout the LGA from December to early January each year.

Council is seeking expressions of interest from artists, creative studios or creative groups to lead the design and delivery of this project. We are seeking fresh, playful and imaginative approaches that deliver artworks that bring joy, spark curiosity, and celebrate the festive and/or summer season in unique ways.

A key objective of this commission is to foster community connection, inclusion and shared ownership. We are seeking proposals that include a strong community engagement plan that will invite participation from people of all ages, abilities, and cultural backgrounds. We are particularly interested in community engagement plans that:

• Invite public contributions to the creative process, are innovative in approach and are accessible to a wide range of community members
• Feature collaborative making sessions across Council venues or community hubs
• Support opportunities for learning, inter-generational collaboration and community connection
• Highlight local stories, and people that shape North Sydney’s identity
• Reflect the spirit of the festive and/or summer season in ways that are creative, welcoming and inclusive
• Reflect Council’s commitment to protect our environment and prioritise sustainable practices

Project budget

$80,000 (ex gst). Inclusive of all costs including artist fees, fabrication, facilitation, install and deinstall

Project timeline

• EOI opens: Monday 9 February 2026
• Shortlisted applicants invited to submit full concept plan and proposal: due 30 April 2026
• Successful applicants notified: mid-May
• Contracts issued: end May 2026
• Project launches: 25 July 206 (in time for Christmas in July)
• Community engagement period: July to installation
• Fabrication and Installation as required complete by 29 November 2026
• Project active: 1 December 2026 – 28 February 2027
• Deinstall: from 1 March 2027

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to Individual artists, artist collectives, or creative studios. Council is seeking applicants who

• have demonstrated experience in similar arts, public art or community-based projects;
• can show evidence of ability to deliver high quality outcomes within timeline and budget
• First Nations creatives and creative teams, and applicants with a strong connection to the North Sydney area are strongly encouraged to apply.

Key activation sites

The following key sites have been selected for these activations:

• Ted Mack Civic Park
• Neutral Bay - Young St Plaza (subject to completion of works current works due early 2026)
• Crows Nest - Ernest Place
• Brett Whiteley Place (North Sydney CBD)