First Nations Foyer Mural Art Commission

Express interest

The First Nations Foyer, located at the entry to Queensland Museum Tropics, features a dedicated space where mural artworks by local First Nations artists can be featured in a rotating display.

The mural sits adjacent to the museum’s Acknowledgement to Country panel that welcomes visitors and acknowledges the Wulgurukaba people, Traditional Owners of the land on which the museum stands, as well as neighbouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Townsville region.

Background

Queensland Museum (QM) exists to celebrate the cultural, social and natural heritage of Queensland. We aspire to be a world-class museum network: where everyone is welcome to discover Queensland and share authentic, inspiring stories.

Established in 1862, QM is one of Queensland’s oldest and most iconic institutions. We are custodian of the State Collection: a magnificent assemblage of 15.2 million cultural objects, natural history specimens and geological treasures documenting Queensland’s past, present and future.

We breathe life into these collections through ground-breaking research and compelling experiences delivered from four award-winning museums:

Our education loans program – one of the largest in the world – shares object and inquiry-based learning with community groups, schools and knowledge institutions across Queensland. Our virtual museum, digital learning platform, major events and best-selling popular publications engage diverse, global audiences. Our museum development program provides best practice museum support to arts, cultural and collecting organisations and Indigenous Keeping Places across the state.

By reframing its relationship with First Nations peoples, Queensland Museum is committed to ensuring that First Nations stories, perspectives, histories, and heritage are authentically represented, celebrated, and shared.

At the heart of this commitment is the implementation of the Customs Culture and Country: First Nations Strategy and Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, which guide meaningful and sustained action across the organisation.

The First Nations team and Queensland Museum are actively engaged in a process of listening, reflection, and transformation, driving change across public programming, education, research, exhibitions, collections, and repatriation.

Since 2005, the Townsville Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Centre (TATSICC) has proudly celebrated the rich culture and heritage of local Indigenous peoples. In 2020, its collection was relocated to the Queensland Museum Tropics, where it remains until a new cultural centre is established. The TATSICC Advisory Committee, as custodians of the collection housed at the museum, has provided funding to support the interpretation of the collection through this mural opportunity.

Outline

Queensland Museum Tropics understands the important contribution Townsville First Nations people have made and will continue to make in protecting, preserving and exhibiting the collections in our care. Ahead of reopening in May 2021, QMT developed a project to create a dedicated space in the museum’s foyer where artwork by local First Nations artists could be featured in a rotating display.

The first artist selected for this project was Jumbo Prior, a Townsville-based emerging artist. Jumbo is a Bwgcolman, Birri-Gubba and Mamu man and his Connections to the land and sea, was a vibrant, engaging work that represented all Townsville people and their connection to Country . The artwork is featured as a large-scale mural that welcomes visitors to the space.

The current mural Wulgurukaba Country created by Niketa Law, a proud Bindal/Wulgurukaba, Wakka Wakka woman and self-taught Traditional Contemporary Aboriginal Artist from Cherbourg, Queensland. Her art blends traditional dot techniques and storytelling with contemporary colours, reflecting her unique style. This piece interprets Townsville’s land, sea, and cultural growth, featuring Castle Hill, islands, coral cays, and the Great Barrier Reef.

Learn more about Nikita's artwork

This expression of interest seeks applicants for the next 18-month display period (February 2026 - August 2027). The project seeks to engage an emerging First Nations artist, with a historical connection to the Townsville region, to present their work to the public through an interpretive display at the museum. We welcome applications from artists who work in a range of mediums (e.g., mural artists, painters, etc.).

The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy

The theme of the mural is this year’s NAIDOC theme: The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy

Timeline

Expressions of interest open 9am, Friday 22 August 2025
Expressions of interest close 5pm, Friday 3 October 2025
Successful artist notified 24 October 2025
Artwork delivered 5pm, 5th December
Artwork installed, mid-February 2026

Budget

Queensland Museum will pay the successful artist a one-off fee of $8,000 +GST (if applicable) inclusive of:

Artist fee
Materials and freight
Artist attendance at the launch (excluding travel and accommodation)
Aquisition of original artwork*
Digital Reproduction of the artwork for display at QMT for a period of up to 18 months
Exclusive, three-year, non-commercial licence to reproduce the artwork and associated items whole or in part, or use the artwork as inspiration for design, motifs and watermarks for QMT and/or promotional material for Queensland Museum ‘at large’.

*Subject to Queensland Museum's approval process.

Judging Panel

Expressions of interest will be assessed by a panel comprised of:

TATSICC Advisory Committee Townsville
Executive Director, First Nations
Senior Manager, Engagement, First Nations
Head, Queensland Museum Tropics
Head, Collections, Research and Engagement

Requirements

To express your interest in this opportunity, please provide the following by 5pm, Friday 3 October 2025:

Curriculum Vitae
Artist statement (no more than 200 words) describing your practice and experience
Response (no more than 300 words) advising how the proposed artwork responds to the NAIDOC theme "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy
A preliminary sketch/design of the proposed artwork
At least four images of relevant examples of recent work (JPEG/PNG format)
Nominate (or provide written reference from) an Aboriginal person or a Torres Strait Islander person who can attest to your knowledge, skills or experience to demonstrate cultural capabilities as required. This person may be a community member, supervisor or work colleague.

How to submit

Submit your expression of interest via the online application form
If you are unable to apply online please contact Queensland Museum by telephone 0484 110 304 to discuss alternative arrangements.

Express interest

General enquiries

For more information on this project, please contact:

Peggy Kasabad Lane
Senior Manager Engagement, First Nations
Phone: 0484 110 304
Email: peggy.lane@qm.qld.gov.au

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