Apply now
Applications close Friday 13 February at 4pm.
Share your artwork to welcome refugees
We invite artists who are refugees or seeking asylum to submit their ideas for display outdoors.
In progress
- Applications are now open
- Applications close Friday 13 February at 4pm Sydney time
Contact us if you have questions or need help in your language.
We’re looking for artworks by an individual or group of artists with lived experience as refugees or seeking asylum.
Artworks must respond to the theme ‘Refugees and people seeking asylum are welcome in our city’.
Up to 4 artworks will be selected to be displayed on street banners and digital advertising screens in the city centre for up to 5 years.
This is a fantastic opportunity to see your work in public spaces.
Selected artists will receive $9,500 for the display and use of their artwork.
Brief
We’re looking for creative concepts and artworks that:
- reflect and support the message that refugees and people seeking asylum are welcome, belong and are part of our communities
- celebrate and acknowledge the valuable contribution refugees and people seeking asylum make
- promote Sydney as an inclusive global city
- are striking, vibrant and colourful, and appeal to a broad audience
- demonstrate artistic excellence, innovation and a creative approach
This artwork could be:
- an illustration in any medium
- graphic design
- photography.
You can submit an existing artwork from your portfolio or a new artwork or concept.
If you’re submitting a new creative concept, please include examples of your previous work as references.
All submitted creative concepts and artworks must be original and created by you. Proposals shouldn’t include reproductions, derivatives or works that infringe on existing copyright.
Entries created mostly or entirely by generative AI aren’t permitted.
You may use AI to help the creative process, such as editing or enhancing original work. In this case, you must clearly document where AI was involved and how its output was adapted into your original work.
Make sure you read the terms and conditions before submitting your application.
If your artwork is chosen as one of the winning concepts, we’ll ask you to develop your concept into a finished artwork.
Successful applicants may be invited to attend events and promote the artworks.
Artwork specifications
Banner specificationsPDF · 87.81 KB · Last modified
Key dates
- Applications open: Monday 12 January
- Applications close: Friday 13 February at 4pm Sydney time
- Successful applicants notified: Friday 6 March
- Final artwork delivered by: Friday 17 April
How to apply
Complete the application form.
You’ll need to provide:
- contact details
- artist bio or CV
- a brief description of your experience as a refugee or seeking asylum and your connection to the City of Sydney area
- statement up to 350 words describing the artwork concept and how it promotes a culture of welcome and belonging for refugees and people seeking asylum in Sydney
- existing artwork or new creative concepts
- examples of previous work (for applicants submitting new creative concepts only)
- all files clearly labelled with the applicant’s name (maximum file size for each is 5MB)
Before submitting your application, please read the terms and conditions.
Your questions answered
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
We will publish questions and answers weekly.
Your questions answered, 30 January 2026PDF · 89.99 KB · Last modified
Licence agreement
Successful applicants will be required to enter into a licence agreement for us to use the artwork on street banners and digital outdoor advertising screens.
Annexure A – licence agreementPDF · 135.43 KB · Last modified
Example artwork on street banners and digital advertising screens
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