pumili nayri (making good)

Creative Brief - Call for Expressions of Interest

On 15 February 2021 the Royal Society of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery each apologised to Tasmanian Aboriginal people.  They acknowledged publicly for the first time the pain, suffering and ongoing trauma their institutions have caused Tasmanian Aboriginal people.  These apologies were responded to, on the day, by Rodney Gibbins and Michael Mansell on behalf of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Community.

In recognition of this event, and its intent to change the relationship between the two organisations and the Aboriginal People of Tasmania, the Royal Society of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery are jointly seeking to commission a Tasmanian Aboriginal artist or group of artists to create an artwork in the TMAG precinct.

The artwork will be:

• A publicly accessible, permanent, outdoor object/sculpture/artwork/installation.
• In the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery precinct (preferably in or near an entrance).
• A joint Royal Society of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery venture and funded by the two organisations in equal parts.

Following advice and endorsement from the Palawa kani team at the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre the project has been named pumili nayri (making good).

Working Group + Project Manager

The pumili nayri working group comprises senior representatives from The Royal Society of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Current members of the working group are Denise Robinson, Julie Gough, Mary Mulcahy, Kerry Sculthorpe, Jocelyn McPhie and Michael Rowan. The working group has appointed Donna Mason as Project Manager for this project.

The Site

The location of the installation will be on the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery site (shown on the map), bounded by its frontage to the Dunn Place Car Park and its boundaries along Davey, Argyle and Macquarie Streets.  Its exact location has not been prescribed.  There have been potential sites flagged in front of, on or behind, the Watergate Wall, at previously used entrances or on the courtyard floor,  however alternative possibilities brought forward by artists will be considered.

It is important to note that parts of the site come with inherent restrictions including, but not limited to archaeological and heritage factors, the structural integrity of the Watergate Wall and civic limitations for light and sound installations.

Information Sessions and Site visit

An onsite information session is open to all interested artists on Wednesday 29 July, meeting at the TMAG Dunn Place Entrance at 1pm.  An online information session is open to all interested artists on Tuesday 11 August at 1.30 pm.  Register your interest or ask other site specific questions by email to pumili.nayri@tmag.tas.gov.au.

Resources

You may find the following resources useful in responding to the brief.

• Video Recording of the Apologies and Responses
• Written Apology from TMAG
• Written Apology from the Royal Society of Tasmania (RST)
• Report by Zoe Rimmer and Rebe Taylor to inform an Apology to the Tasmanian Aboriginal Community by RST
• Written transcript of Rodney Gibbins’ response to the apologies
• Written transcript of Michael Mansell’s response to the apologies

Project Timeline

This project has been scheduled to span 15 months that will include this EOI process, a shortlisted artist announcement, time and budget for 3 shortlisted artists to develop a detailed concept proposal, and then dedicated phases for the final selected artist or group of artists to develop,  install and present the artwork.

Key Dates 

• 29 July 2026 : EOI Walkaround @ TMAG
• 11 August 2026 : Online Information Session
• 28 August 2026 : Artist EOI’s Close.
• 4 September 2026: Three shortlisted artists selected to produce a detailed proposal including maquettes.
• Early October 2026: Detailed proposals presented.
• Mid October 2026: successful artist/s announced.
• Jan 2027 - June 2027: artist/s develop works.
• August / September 2027: artwork installation
• September / November 2027: artwork unveiled

Shortlisted artists 

Three artists will be shortlisted at the start of September 2026.  Shortlisted artists will be invited to develop a detailed concept proposal that includes creative concept, context, medium, site consideration, engineering and compliance requirements, associated installation costs or requirements, and a small-scale model/maquette.  A shortlisted artist fee of $1000 will be provided to each of the shortlisted artists/artist collectives who accept this invitation.

Project Budget

Allocated budget for the artwork is in the range of $75,000-$85,000.

This allocation is all inclusive and covers artist design fee and labour costs, meeting time and expenses,  travel and accommodation expenses, administrative expenses,  materials and construction/fabrication costs,  freight and installation costs, sub-contractor and/or collaborator fees, insurance costs, building and/or site reparation that may occur in the process artwork installation, engineering certification or other certification and compliance costs and all other artist sundry expenses incurred in the undertaking of the Apology artwork commission.

Expression of Interest

Individual artists and/or groups of artists are encouraged to apply, by providing the following

• Contact details for the application.
• A response to the brief  (Written (Less than 300 words), Video (5-10 minutes)  or Audio (5-10 Minutes)) : Explaining your interest in and artistic concepts for the project. Please include any relevant sketches, visuals, timelines or sound samples. Include examples of your previous project experience, your ability to consult with various stakeholders and deliver projects on time and to budget.  If you intend to outsource any aspect of this project, identify who you will outsource to.
• Artist CV and Bio : Max. 1 A4 page.
• Past Project Portfolio: 3 high-resolution images or links to examples of previous, relevant work.
• Referees: Contact details for 2 referees that can speak to your work in this area.

Selection Process

All Expressions of Interest will be presented to the working group for artist shortlisting.

Selection Criteria

• Quality of arts practice, including conceptual strength;
• Proven ability to manage a project including project budgets and timeline;
• Knowledge of Tasmanian Aboriginal Community, history and culture.

For more information, contact: Donna Mason (Project Manager) | Email: pumili.nayri@tmag.tas.gov.au | Phone 0499 221 622

Expressions of Interest, submit to: pumili.nayri@tmag.tas.gov.au by 5pm Friday August 28, 2026.