Opportunities

Create a living museum: Redfern Terrace

Submit a transformational idea to activate the terrace through local histories and stories.

Redfern

Project Status: In progress

Express your interest

Register with Tenderlink to check out the brief and submit your proposal by 11am, 19 November 2024

Get artist brief
We’re seeking Aboriginal artists, architects, filmmakers, sound designers and other creatives to redefine Redfern Terrace as a place for storytelling and to reimagine the building.

Showcasing contemporary and archival materials and stories, it could be a museum, an artist studio or artwork, and somewhere the community can share knowledge and creativity.

This is a fantastic opportunity for artists to set a benchmark for the contemporary artistic interpretation of social history.

Transforming the building is part of our Eora Journey program which includes a series of major public artworks by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.

The transformation of Redfern Terrace coincides with upgrades to 3 neighbourhood parks in the area, including the reserve where the building is located.

This expression of interest is the first stage of a 5-stage development process for Redfern Terrace.

About the building

Redfern Terrace is one of 3 significant City of Sydney Aboriginal spaces within the Redfern area, including the Redfern Community Centre and 119 Redfern Street.

We intend Redfern Terrace will provide the community with something entirely different to these other spaces.

Built in the 1880s, the building on the corner of Caroline and Hugo streets was once a shop and residence, and then used by the neighbouring sawmill as a dressing room and storage space before standing vacant.

Currently the building is adorned with the iconic Welcome to Redfern mural, completed by Reko Rennie and young local Aboriginal artists in 2013.

An old terrace house sits on its own in a park, with a mural saying Welcome to Redfern, shaded by large trees. A row of terrace houses is across the street.
An old terrace house with a mural saying Welcome to Redfern is the focus, with parked trees on an adjoining street in the foreground alongside a row of terrace houses.
Interior of old terrace house in dilapidated condition from beneath stairwell.Scaffolding holds ceiling in place.
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Eligibility

  • Artist teams may include an artist, an architect, industrial designer, cinematographer, editor, sound artist, and/or exhibition designer, among others. People from all over Australia are welcome to apply.
  • The project lead must be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Criteria

3 shortlisted proposals will be selected based on the following criteria:

  • Originality of concept and strength of conceptual approach and methodology, including observation of Aboriginal consultation and cultural protocols.
  • Evidence of artistic excellence and previous experience working with teams to produce complex, engaging, and high-quality art projects with local communities.
  • Evidence of working on projects within a specific budget and to a work program.
  • Commitment and capacity to realise the project within the required program and budget.

How to apply

A red, black and yellow striped mural covering an entire terrace house depicts Aboriginal leaders and vibrant graphic designs.Murals and street artWelcome to RedfernRedfern
A marble, fish hook shaped sculpture on a grass lawn. People in blue dresses dance in a ring around it.Cultural support & fundingEora Journey: Recognition in the public domain
An area in the front that resembles an amphitheatre set-up and a big building in the background.Community centresRedfern Community CentreRedfern
A sign on the side of a sandstone building with the words Always was Always will beCommunity centres119 Redfern StreetRedfern